Yesterday the United States observed Memorial Day, a day in which we honor, thank, and remember our fallen military heroes. It got me thinking, "How many soldiers have died?"
The Washington Post has a list entitled, Faces of the Fallen, of all soldiers who have died while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. While there are not many details included, you can see the faces of these very young and brave men and women.
It is very easy to feel removed from the stress and pain of war. Even if we say prayers and give thanks to our military, it's still difficult to feel a direct connection, but, with a name, a face, and an age I believe the sad reality is able to sink in. I recommend, and encourage, everyone to look through the hundreds of faces of the fallen...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
I know, you're probably thinking, "Oh girl, do you really want to go there?" Yes, I do and I am.
This past December, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was officially repealed, years after several thousand service members had been discharged on the basis of sexual orientation. For many of us from the young, and seemingly more liberal, generation it's hard to imagine why this policy was put into place to begin with. If you look back, racial segregation was in place until the 1950s and it took until the 1970s before women were allowed to serve.
Unless you lived during the days of serious racial and gender discrimination, it's nearly impossible to imagine being told as a woman, or as a black man, that you're not good enough to stand watch on a ship or fly a jet or wear combat boots. But, to many, that was reality.
I am amazed by the courage of all of our service members, but I am even more wow-ed by the women, the blacks, the Hispanics, the immigrants, and the gay members who dealt with the discrimination and dealt with the criticism because they still wanted to protect our country. It takes a truly strong individual to protect a country and work alongside people that may not accept who you are.
Our military - and our country - have come a long way. While there will always be some individuals who will never accept another person who they believe goes against their personal beliefs, it's wonderful to see how our military has improved by acceptance. Women were recently given the right to serve on submarines and there are thousands of non-whites serving and proving themselves everyday to be true heroes.
It will no doubt take some time for some to adjust to living with a gay roommate on a ship or working alongside a gay comrade, but I believe eventually we will be able to look back on these days, as we do with racial and gender segregation, and think, "Wow, did we really descrimate like that? I can't imagine doing that today."
As the popular phrase goes, "When all is said and done..." I believe we will all look at what is important. It's not whether someone is white or black, man or woman, gay or straight, but that that individual is willing to serve, and serve well, for our country, and in my opinion, that automatically makes him/her a hero.
This past December, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was officially repealed, years after several thousand service members had been discharged on the basis of sexual orientation. For many of us from the young, and seemingly more liberal, generation it's hard to imagine why this policy was put into place to begin with. If you look back, racial segregation was in place until the 1950s and it took until the 1970s before women were allowed to serve.
Unless you lived during the days of serious racial and gender discrimination, it's nearly impossible to imagine being told as a woman, or as a black man, that you're not good enough to stand watch on a ship or fly a jet or wear combat boots. But, to many, that was reality.
I am amazed by the courage of all of our service members, but I am even more wow-ed by the women, the blacks, the Hispanics, the immigrants, and the gay members who dealt with the discrimination and dealt with the criticism because they still wanted to protect our country. It takes a truly strong individual to protect a country and work alongside people that may not accept who you are.
Our military - and our country - have come a long way. While there will always be some individuals who will never accept another person who they believe goes against their personal beliefs, it's wonderful to see how our military has improved by acceptance. Women were recently given the right to serve on submarines and there are thousands of non-whites serving and proving themselves everyday to be true heroes.
It will no doubt take some time for some to adjust to living with a gay roommate on a ship or working alongside a gay comrade, but I believe eventually we will be able to look back on these days, as we do with racial and gender segregation, and think, "Wow, did we really descrimate like that? I can't imagine doing that today."
As the popular phrase goes, "When all is said and done..." I believe we will all look at what is important. It's not whether someone is white or black, man or woman, gay or straight, but that that individual is willing to serve, and serve well, for our country, and in my opinion, that automatically makes him/her a hero.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Armed Forces Day: "United In Strength"
This Saturday we celebrate Armed Forces Day. We were introduced to the first Armed Forces Day back in 1950 through President Truman,
"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."
It is a day of unification amongst the different military branches - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force. You can see a history of quotes associated with this day, which will give you an understanding of what our nation has gone through over the years, here: http://www.defense.gov/afd/military/history.html
Although I try to remember to pray for our military everyday, I will most definitely remember them this Saturday and I hope that you do too. I for one, will buying some 50 Back, and saluting to these courageous men and women...
"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."
It is a day of unification amongst the different military branches - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force. You can see a history of quotes associated with this day, which will give you an understanding of what our nation has gone through over the years, here: http://www.defense.gov/afd/military/history.html
Although I try to remember to pray for our military everyday, I will most definitely remember them this Saturday and I hope that you do too. I for one, will buying some 50 Back, and saluting to these courageous men and women...
Monday, May 16, 2011
National Military Support Organizations
In a previous blog, I highlighted organizations in the New England area supporting the military through various programs. Thankfully, there seems to be a phlethora of supportive organizations throughout our country.
Here is a highlight of some of these generous organizations:
VFW National Home for Children: Founded in 1925, this organization provides a support system that spans throughout the entire country. Military families in need of support, guidance, advice, or shelter can call the organization's hotline. Those in need can receive local guidance, or when needed, may be given a place to stay at the VFW campus that provides housing and educational programs. Their website is here: http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/page.aspx?pid=527
National Military Family Association: What keeps this association going strong is their idea of, "Not only do we support military families – we are military families." What started off as a group of military wives looking out for their widowed friends, has turned into a full blown association with all different sorts of military personnel who testify before Congress to fight for important legislation and to ensure military families receive the benefits they deserve. Their website is here: http://www.militaryfamily.org/
Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences: This nonprofit organization strives to bring hope and encouragement to military spouses who are working to overcome miltary life challenges and to ensure spouses are aware of the resources available to them. Their website is here: http://wings4women.org/
Military to Medicine: This organization understands that many military spouses struggle with keeping a stable career when moving around the country every few years. Their goal is to give spouses medical training, access to a network of employers, and most importantly, a portable career. If you're interested in the medical field, here is their website: http://www.militarytomedicine.org/index.html
It is absolutely wonderful to know there are organizations out there providing support and opportunities to our military and their families. Sometimes this world seems to be consumed with too much negativity, but the generosity of these organizations - and the people who volunteer their time within these organizations - lets a light of positivity shine through all the gloom.
Here is a highlight of some of these generous organizations:
VFW National Home for Children: Founded in 1925, this organization provides a support system that spans throughout the entire country. Military families in need of support, guidance, advice, or shelter can call the organization's hotline. Those in need can receive local guidance, or when needed, may be given a place to stay at the VFW campus that provides housing and educational programs. Their website is here: http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/page.aspx?pid=527
National Military Family Association: What keeps this association going strong is their idea of, "Not only do we support military families – we are military families." What started off as a group of military wives looking out for their widowed friends, has turned into a full blown association with all different sorts of military personnel who testify before Congress to fight for important legislation and to ensure military families receive the benefits they deserve. Their website is here: http://www.militaryfamily.org/
Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences: This nonprofit organization strives to bring hope and encouragement to military spouses who are working to overcome miltary life challenges and to ensure spouses are aware of the resources available to them. Their website is here: http://wings4women.org/
Military to Medicine: This organization understands that many military spouses struggle with keeping a stable career when moving around the country every few years. Their goal is to give spouses medical training, access to a network of employers, and most importantly, a portable career. If you're interested in the medical field, here is their website: http://www.militarytomedicine.org/index.html
It is absolutely wonderful to know there are organizations out there providing support and opportunities to our military and their families. Sometimes this world seems to be consumed with too much negativity, but the generosity of these organizations - and the people who volunteer their time within these organizations - lets a light of positivity shine through all the gloom.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Military Spouses Who Rock!
May 6th (today) is officially recognized as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It's a simple idea, like many other holidays, to say "Thanks" to the husbands and wives who pack up their lives and start anew every time their spouse gets re-stationed.
As a military spouse, you never know for sure where your next home will be, where you will work, where your kids will go to school, what church you will go to, so on and so on. Basically it's a bunch of unknowns, and you better be ready for it! But, there's also a lot of wonderful opportunities along the way. You learn who of your friends are really that important and special to you. You get to see places in the country - and sometimes in the world - that many other people never get the opportunity to see. And, you also have a great excuse for quitting a job you may hate, "Sorry, spouse is being relocated, see ya!"
Every year, someone is named the Military Spouse of the Year. Hundreds of men and women are nomiated and I have no doubt they all do wonderful service to their spouses and the military communities around them. This year's winner is Biana Bianca Strzalkowski, whose husband serves in the Marines. You can read Biana's story here: http://www.msoy.milspouse.com/
If you've been a military spouse for several years, I'd like to say "Thank You" to you for taking the hard times in full stride and making the most of it. I'm certain there are times when you've cried, when you've yelled, when you've felt frustrated and lonely, but you hung on because you're tough!
If you're a newlywed, or soon to be newlywed, just remember there are so many of us out there. I'd like to think we're almost a whole separate community, where there are rules against being rude to one another - one spouse must help another spouse in times of need. So if you need someone, find one of us!
Thanks to all of you wonderful, giving, and dedicated spouses out there!
As a military spouse, you never know for sure where your next home will be, where you will work, where your kids will go to school, what church you will go to, so on and so on. Basically it's a bunch of unknowns, and you better be ready for it! But, there's also a lot of wonderful opportunities along the way. You learn who of your friends are really that important and special to you. You get to see places in the country - and sometimes in the world - that many other people never get the opportunity to see. And, you also have a great excuse for quitting a job you may hate, "Sorry, spouse is being relocated, see ya!"
Every year, someone is named the Military Spouse of the Year. Hundreds of men and women are nomiated and I have no doubt they all do wonderful service to their spouses and the military communities around them. This year's winner is Biana Bianca Strzalkowski, whose husband serves in the Marines. You can read Biana's story here: http://www.msoy.milspouse.com/
If you've been a military spouse for several years, I'd like to say "Thank You" to you for taking the hard times in full stride and making the most of it. I'm certain there are times when you've cried, when you've yelled, when you've felt frustrated and lonely, but you hung on because you're tough!
If you're a newlywed, or soon to be newlywed, just remember there are so many of us out there. I'd like to think we're almost a whole separate community, where there are rules against being rude to one another - one spouse must help another spouse in times of need. So if you need someone, find one of us!
Thanks to all of you wonderful, giving, and dedicated spouses out there!
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