This Columbus day weekend is my husband's last weekend as a regular US civilian. After this weekend, he will be activated from a Marine reservist to a full time military officer preparing for his 6-months tour in Iraq. As an executive officer (XO) he will lead his 4th LAR (light armor reconnaissance) Echo company, and will be responsible for the safely and well-being of the soldiers who are under his command during the Iraq tour.Being a military wife, sometimes I feel very alone because it is hard to find someone who understands the range of emotions going through my head at this time. A lot of people express sympathy as if my husband is going to die, some dismisses it because "Obama is going to win and then he won't have to go anyway", and some are at a loss for words. I hated it when people say something that sounds like my husband is going to die, because (hello) he isn't dead yet! The whole talk about Obama pulling troops out also annoys me, because it is said out of ignorance and it minimize the seriousness of the situation. What I really want to hear is offerings of support and prayer. Although I don't want my dear husband to be put into harm's way, I also know that I cannot control when my husband will die. I cannot even control when I'm going to die!
True story (told by a fellow Marine):
The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. Psalm 121: 7-8
I was serving in Iraq in 2003 as a vehicle commander of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV). We were following other LAVs to a destination when suddenly the LAV in front of our vehicle stopped. My driver parked our vehicle about 30 feet behind it (which is what we have been trained to do) when I heard a voice telling me that I needed to move my vehicle away from here. The idea made absolutely no sense, but I decided to follow it and ordered the driver to move the vehicle up so it almost touches the vehicle in front of us. The driver looked at me as if I'm out of my mind, but grudgingly he complied anyway and drove the vehicle as close to the front as possible. Seconds after we moved up we heard this huge explosion, and we looked back to see that a 125 mm mortar has landed where we were just parked. If I have not listened to the voice, my men and I will not be here today. My men and I were not serious believers before, but after this event no one can denied His existence. God extended his hand of protection for us even when we did not believe in him.
God protects.
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7 comments:
Zen,
From someone who's husband did two tours, 1 year each and back to back...I know what you are going through.
The first couple of days, I didn't want to talk to anyone becuase my emotions so raw...I would either yell or cry at them...
Then there were those times, holidays, birthdays, Sundays, etc...where you were alone..NOT FUn!!!!! but my husband loved serving in the Army..it was his calling..and yes God does protect.
HEre is a poem for you...I hope I'm not going on and on....
Military Wife's Prayer
Dear Lord,
Give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his love for me.
Give me the understanding that I may know, when duty calls him, he must go.
Give me a task to do each day to fill the time when he is away.
And Lord, when he is in a foreign land, keep him safe in your loving hand.
And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him and be his shield.
And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong.
Amen.
*hugs* My ex husband was in the Army National Guard and got deployed to Iraq, but never actually made it overseas because of an injury. I have some close friends who have been multiple times. Obama doesn't support an immediate withdrawl, but rather a timeline so Iraq can start cleaning up their own mess. No matter which side of the political arena we fall on, we are all proud of our loved ones who serve and our prayers and best wishes are always with them.
Thanks for your kind comments. To clarify I am not saying what Obama's position on the war is, I'm just saying that a lot of people tell me that when Obama's in office he will call for withdrawal in 6 months.
I believe in prayer and will add you and your DH to my list. I think your post perfectly describes your heart and mind, thank you for sharing and being "out there" about it all. I hope you will find like minded friends who can support you and help carry you through when you have one of those "bad days". I am too far away to come over and pour you some coffee and listen to your worries, but consider your self Hugged! And feel free to send me a message anytime! ~
Your post had me tearing up. I'll add your husband to my prayer list.
I will also add your family to my prayers. I cannot imagine what your life must be like, even though I have friends and family who have been in different branches of the service.
Prayers and comfort to you, I know this is rough for you AND your husband. I can understand why such things said to you would be highly frustrating. I think that sometimes people who have no military ties have no concept as to what they should and shouldn't say. I have never been in your shoes so all I can offer are my prayers.
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