Monday 10 November 2008

The Quiet Warriors!

This was sent to me by the leader of our FRG.

The Quiet Warriors!

Wikipedia describes Veterans Day as “an annual American holiday honoring military veterans.” It goes on to describe a veteran as “a person who has or is working in the armed forces, or a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation or office.

At the risk of alienating my brothers and sisters in arms with whom I served more than thirty years, and without disrespecting, in any way, those warriors who have sacrificed much more than I could even imagine, there is another group of “veterans” we sometimes forget to honor, even take for granted, but should be honored right along those who have worn a uniform. They too are Warriors. They’re the Quiet Warriors.

We don't have a holiday in their honor. They just go on doing what we expect of them and reap no real benefits from their sacrifices. I've often said, and have always believed, that the folks who truly have the toughest job to do in the military are the families. They’re the Quiet Warriors. Now, don't get me wrong. After more than thirty years of active duty service and seeing all that I saw in those years, I know our warriors have a tough job to do. But, you know, we warriors sign up to do those tough jobs. When we go to battle we know that there's a possibility of not returning. When we get into battle we do what we're trained to do and we know what our responsibilities are. A warrior accepts the fact that, if required, she will give her life for her fellow warriors and her country.

Military families don't sign up for any of that. The really young families don't know that part of their contract is to possibly live a large portion of their lives without their spouse or without their parent. Oh, we tell them, but being told and living it are two different things. I recall, assigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany not too long ago, I'd take every opportunity I could to go out to the DV (Distinguished Visitor) Hangar as a C-130, C-5, C-17, or some other type of aircraft would make it's turn toward that hangar. I'd stand there at attention and wait. I'd wait until the DVs in the aircraft were taken off. They called this the Missing Soldier Ceremony. The DVs were Warriors. They were taken off in flag-draped coffins. Luckily, Germany is usually wet most of the year, so I often credited the moisture in my eyes to the weather. As I'd stand there at attention, saluting my brothers and sisters in arms who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, I'd think about that little boy or girl who's daddy or mommy was not coming home as expected. What do you tell a three or four year old son or daughter who asks, "Where's my mommy?" Or, "When's Daddy coming home?" Oh, you tell them the truth as best you can, and you hug them and assure them that all will be well...in time. I'd also think about the spouse who already had twice the work to do for what was supposed to be a short time, but now would have those responsibilities for life. Military families have always had the toughest jobs, and they always will. They're the Quiet Warriors.

We should never forget the sacrifices past warriors have made for us but at the same time we should always remember the service our military families provided those warriors so that they could do what they did. And their work never stops. They continue to be the backbone of the Warrior Spirit.
Veterans Day is a great day to honor all of our Warriors. Let's make this a great day and honor our military families, the Quiet Warriors!

¡HeirPower!
bob vásquez

Friday 7 November 2008

Stinkin Deployments!

We have been home for almost two weeks and things have been really good. The baby adjusted better than I could have imagined. The kids started school and are enjoying being back with their friends. I never thought I would say that I liked England, but after being in NM for three months, England has grown on me.
It could just be the time of year. The fall foliage here is breathtaking. I love seeing all of the beautiful colors and seeing all of the leaves on the ground. Every time I see the maintenance people with their leaf blowers I am tempted to stop my car so that I can jump in a pile leaves. I love the fall!
We are about 4 months into this stinkin deployment and things are going as well as can be expected. I think there is a law somewhere that says you can’t complete a deployment until you will have at least one trip to the ER, all of your kids will get a stomach virus at the same time as you, your car will break down and one of your kids will try to see how far they can push you. Since we got all of that accomplished in the first three months, it seems like we are just killing time right now. Gotta love those stinkin deployments!
Since we have been home I have been busting my booty trying to get rid of stuff and make a little bit more room in this house. I have no idea how we acquired everything we have, but man we have A LOT of crap! I am hoping that we can get base housing in the next few months. We are on the list for a brand new 4 bedroom and I can hardly wait!
The reason I am writing this blog is to say sorry to all of my family and friends. I know that I have had a pretty crappy attitude since we moved here, and I am sure all of you have heard way too much griping from me about it. I had postpartum depression after I had Azariah and it wasn’t diagnosed until he was 8 months old. I was so miserable. I feel so bad for my husband and the kids because I was always in a fit about something. I don’t think we went a day without me saying “just another reason why England sucks ass.” With the help of a lot of prayer and Prozac I am doing much better and ready to embrace the once in a lifetime opportunity that my family has been given.
I just have to say that without my husband and kids I would have definitely lost my mind. God has blessed me with the most amazing man in the entire universe. He loved me when I was at my most unlovable. He has been so patient with me and stepped up with the kids. He helped with the housework, went to conferences, dr. appointments, took the kids to Karate, basketball practice, went to school full time and still managed work over forty hours a week!
My kids have been so good. They adjusted to having a new baby and have helped me more than I could have imagined. Sometimes I think they help too much, because Azariah is such a stinker! He is one stubborn little boy. He knows how to get his way and he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He has both of his sisters and his brother wrapped around his finger!
I am hoping that now that we have our lives a little more under control I will be able to blog more often. I know I covered A LOT in this blog, but since the baby has given me a few minutes I figured I would write everything that is on my mind.

Sunday 2 November 2008

Hi I'm Dorothy

A friend of mine wrote this and I wanted to share.

As you all know, the military has a way of uprooting a perfectly fine and happy family at the most inopertune times and placing them in the most unlikely places and situations. Its like the Wizard of Oz. I know, what an anology, but just play along. Its seems as if our entire life gets picked up and slammed down into something so unfamiliar, you’d swear you were dreaming. Or at least you’d wish you were. The military has a way of choosing the oddest variety of people to be neighbors. They place them all together, with the only similar interest being - the military - and make them all get along.(aka Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tinman) Sometimes it works! I have some great neighbors. They treat you like family and would do anything for you. But you are not always so lucky. They’re some that are heartless, and scared and even some that you swear their brain fell right out of their ears. In every neighborhood their is a " wicked witch" just watching you and stiring up trouble. They’ll get you and your little dog too. I promise! They will send down their "little monkeys"(aka kids) and they will tear up your home and hurt your childrens feelings. Sometimes you just want to pick up your house, slam it on top of them and take their pretty shoes. You can only hope they’re in your size!! But in the end the military( the great and powerful Oz) will grant you your wish. No, the viscious neighbor wont melt( although, that would be nice) but your newly aquired, pretty shoes will take you to a place far far away. They’ll pack up your whole world once again, And all that you’ve been through will be just a memory...lets just hope this time they slam your house down in a much nicer place with much nicer people. Just remember, theres always a "good witch" and a "wicked witch". Watch you back. You never know who is who.