Last week my cousin's husband was deployed with an Army unit for a year stint oversees.
Seeing the pictures and hearing the words from my cousin over this deployment and her new separation from her husband, well, it just breaks my heart.
I could only imagine what it would be like to kiss my own husband goodbye to go serve for a year in a war torn area.
And my cousin is not alone.
This story unfolds thousands of times per year in our country.
I have read countless blogs and endured several conversations on how "romantic" deployments are for couples. The perfect storybook tale of the tough warrior leaving his sadden family for war, his little wife keeping house and awaiting his return with all of his love letters in hand, and then the most joyful and beatiful reunion at the end of it all.
Shame on them!
Deployment is not romantic. It's scary and dangerous and without faith it simply is not doable.
On Oprah last Thursday, First Lady Obama spoke on her new campaign on fostering military families. During her interview it was reported that only 1% of our country's roster makes up our armed forces. Only one percent!
But what an impact that one percent makes.
They show the rest of us how we all should live our daily lives by never taking a moment for granted, for defending what is right, for protecting what we love the most, and for keeping the faith.
I offer my gratitude to those who serve and to their families for their brave efforts. Without them this great country that I love so much would not be.
But, to live in a world without war, where the military wasn't necessary and where families didn't have to part, now that is something worth fighting for.
Thank you for joining with me in praying for our soldiers oversees and their families fighting the good fight back at home -
O Almighty and most merciful God,
uphold and keep our soldiers from all things that may hurt them;
that they, being ready both in body and soul,
may cheerfully accomplish those things which you control;
that you Lord guide the way for our beloved defenders of our enemies,
and strengthen and nurture their families back home until they are united once again,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
