Patriotism and Love of Country

As a child, I lived on a military post and every morning at 0700 hours we were awakened to the sound of reveille. At 1700 hours every day, a canon fired signaling the end of the work day. At 2300 hours every evening, we were serenaded by Taps. On post, every house flew an American flag every day. Patriotism and love of country wasn't something we celebrated only on the Fourth of July or on Veteran’s Day. Flying the American flag was and still is a way of life for me and countless others connected to the armed forces.

Inside every house on every post lives the spouse and family members of a soldier. Quite often those soldiers aren't home because they are far away defending our freedom. They are in Bosnia, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan or any one of a hundred other countries throughout the world where they might be needed, while the military family is left to "hold down the fort".

My mother displays a plaque in her home which says, "Navy wife - toughest job in the Navy." This is an accurate description of all military family members of all branches. I am not just speculating on this, I speak from experience. I am a "military brat" whose father often said, "It is much easier being a soldier than it is being the family member of a soldier."

My heart and my prayers go out to all the people in America and especially to those families that have a soldier who serves in the military. Tell your loved ones that you love and appreciate them every day.