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  "The Honor of Being A Military Wife" by Gail Johnson It all started in 1994 when I married a United States Navy corpsman. Growing up in a family where each and every male was in one branch of the military or another I suppose I was destined for being close to it in one form or another myself. Little did I know it would be as a military wife. What an experience! I can truly say, though my days as a military wife ended a few years ago, I will forever carry with me that I was a part of something so amazing, witnessed and experienced for myself, a deep-rooted love and support for country and those that have been a part of defending our flag, and everything we as Americans stand for. It is a part of my life that has added to the person I am today and reaffirms the tearful-at-the-“Star Spangled Banner”-mush that I have always been. My journey through military wifedom started with my leaving California, essentially everyone and everything I had ever known, to begin a newly married life with my navy corpsman husband on the opposite side of the planet. Okinawa to be exact. I knew a total of three people when I arrived on “the rock”, as it is commonly referred to - my husband and two of his friends. That’s it, no one else. But almost immediately I realized I was about to become part of a family of sorts within the military community that I otherwise never would have known. Living in base housing I felt again what I had growing up in the small neighborhood I had known for the first 16 years of my life in California. We all looked out for each other and were there to help out with anything. When family members were gone, we all stepped up to help out, especially where children were involved. We checked in on each other and walked through the neighborhood at night just to say hello while getting some fresh air, not worrying about watching our backs for the dangers that may be lurking around us. I had more than mere acquaintances, that looked out for me, both in and outside work, when my husband was deployed, and made friends that, through fourteen years and a total of 4 changes of duty stations later, remain ever close and I consider my sisters away from my own sister. My mother was diagnosed with cancer only nine months after my leaving California, and it was my husband’s unit that raised money out of their own slim pockets to help send us back to be with her (fortunately she is now free and clear). It was a community that is what our country was based on: standing for each other and for the greater good of who we are as a whole. As we moved through two more duty stations, each here in the states, I came to see that for the most part the “family” was still the same. Base living wasn’t so prominent here as opposed to living overseas, yet becoming neighbors in base housing in Pensacola and Groton meant we added more people to our extended family. We laughed and cheered when husbands returned from being TAD and when submarines came home from being deployed, and we huddled close and cried, supporting each other when 9/11 threatened our very security and sense of peace. But just as we held strong during the easier times, we pulled even closer and tighter through the challenges, and became stronger and even more determined to support our husbands, wives, families, friends, and country. I still remember how emotional a particular evening was in November 2001 at the Navy Ball, starting with the presentation of colors, and how poignant a moment it was during the opening slide show that night. Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA” played and there was not a dry eye in the ballroom to see the slides clearly. I saw WWII veterans, young men and women in uniform, husbands, wives, and even the service staff wiping tears away (even now, almost seven years later, I am choked up all over again). That is an image that stays with me even today, representing the bonds, the support, the meaning of what we represent as Americans. Though my marriage to my navy corpsman husband ended over 4 years ago, I still cannot help but respect his position in helping to defend our country and serve those he stands side by side with.I remember with great happiness the communities I have had the opportunity to live in, the friends I made along the way, and the appreciation I will hold forever of the men and women serving side by side to protect our country and those of us living here.My heart will always hold a special place for the family members left behind as loved ones leave to fight overseas, under the sea, on the land and in the air, and I pray constantly for the safe return of all those who have had to leave. This country would not be what it is without those who have gone before and without those who go today. Our freedom truly is not free and I thank God for those who find the strength to fight for that which we need to protect. God bless each and every one of you, and GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!! Sincerely, Gail Johnson Hamden, CT |