Military Sacrifices
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Today’s tragic story about the seven Fort Bragg paratroopers killed in Iraq is a pointed reminder of the sacrifices the military make for us on the home front. But there are lots of military sacrifices that go unnoticed day to day.
Take Military families. Separated by long deployments, that’s an obvious sacrifice.
But it goes deeper than that.
A military parent, who won’t see their son or daughter play a baseball game, or have a recital. That’s a sacrifice.
A Soldier who won’t get a special hug from a spouse. That’s a sacrifice.
Missing important milestones in a loved one’s life. That’s a sacrifice.
The list is endless.
You never hear about this kind of stuff for several reasons. One of them is because military families accept it as part of their life. They don’t cry to the media—in fact, they’d rather avoid the spotlight of publicity.
Military families stick together, assuming that the rest of the world can’t or won’t understand their position.
As a result, each day, they go through life making sacrifices big and small—sacrifices we know nothing about.
So, the next time you’re out having fun with your kids, or enjoying a quiet moment with the one you love—stop and think for a moment.
Somewhere—maybe even down the street— is a military family unable to do what you’re doing— and not uttering a word of complaint about it.
—Steve
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Comments
Darla…
Thank you for your kind words.
Last night at Fort Bragg, it hit me in the gut that way too often we just take for granted what military familes must go through on a daily basis.
It just felt like these words needed to be said, and I am fortunate in that I have a job that gives me ability to bring those stories to the public.
It’s not that my opinion is any better than the general public’s– it’s just that I get to shout it louder.
—Steve
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Hi Steve, Thank you for your article and your comments about military family sacrafice. Our hearts and prayers are with the soldiers and the families that have made the ultimate sacrafice, and for their “military family” serving in Iraq. It is a very sad time the 82nd Airborne. You painted an accurate picture of the military family. We are proud of our family member’s service, but also sacrafice silently each and every day. We don’t expect the non-military population to understand, but when someone does and expresses their appreciation we feel supported. THANK YOU to all of the Americans that have expressed their thanks for my son’s service in a kind word, with stated concern, by standing for our military in a parade, and by praying for our military. Our soldier’s wife, daughter, mom, dad, and brother thank you for your support! Please continue to support the families of these fallen soldiers with your prayers during this difficult time. Darla Gunn, Proud Army Mom