Courage

An article was published in our base paper this week. It was written by Sam's boss, our Wing Chaplain, Victor Toney. Here is a copy of what he wrote:

PORTRAITS OF COURAGE

Courage has many faces. It's not just found on convoy duty, in the cockpit of a jet, or behind a 50-caliber gun. According to the dictionary, courage is the "mental or moral strength to perservere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty." Who better fits this description then the spouses and children of our deployed warfighters?
They suffer the difficulty of multiple separations, the fear of a hundred unknowns and countless birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and special days lost to the ages. They get no medals or ribbons. When their loved ones return, a grateful nation receives them but hardly gives a thought to the courageous sacrifices their families have made. And yet, they don't complain. In fact, their support does not wane. Their encouragement does not falter. Their prayers do not cease.
These heroes never have a parade in their honor and history will little note their sacrifice. But we know who they are. They are our wives, husbands, children and parents who weep when we leave, unfalteringly support us while we are gone, and embrace us when we return.
Who are these courageous little ones? It is the wife who sleeps in an empty bed and celebrates her anniversary alone. It is the child whose dad cannot help blow out his birthday candles because he is gone.
The strength of our military is ultimately not in bombs and bullets. It's in the absolute certainty that when we go to war, our families will unfailingly support us and when we return they will still love us.
-Lt. Col Vic Toney

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As I try to wrap my mind around that fact that the majority of 2007 will be spent without Sam home, I have read that article about 10 times since it was printed yesterday. As of today, I am NOT AMONG the NON complainers. I am asking myself questions like: Is Sam going to the other side of the world to help strange families with their freedom, worth this kind of sacrifice for OUR family? Does the rest of the country know, realize or even CARE that so many families are missing a vital part of their lives for so long? Does his ministry to people he hasn't even met yet even matter if his ministry to his family is abandoned?
I don't have answers to those questions. I am struggeling to find them. Please remember not only us, but ALL the military familes who are separated for long periods of time. Think of us and pray for us when you are all together at the supper table at night, or go to the park as a family, or have a birthday party.
I don't know how long we will be in the military. One more year or a lifetime career. But regardless of where we are in our lives and what jobs we are doing, I will NEVER forget the sacrifices I have seen first hand this year so every American can have the freedom that they have. I will never take it for granted again.