Gold Star Spouse Day

For those of you who don’t know it today is Gold Star Spouse day, a day set aside to remember the widows and widowers of fallen service members. A day set aside to respect their strength, their commitment, and their sacrifice. Let me stop right there at that word sacrifice. According to the dictionary the definition of sacrifice is as follows, “Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.” These fellow spouses have given up something highly valued to them, the lives of those that they vowed to love, honor and cherish for something that they and their spouse had a covenant agreement held a greater value than they themselves…America’s rights and freedoms.

 Please let me take a moment to tell you what was never in their covenant agreement. It was not their agreement for them to sacrifice for the nonsense I see and hear everyday, from their fellow military spouses, those who should honor and respect their sacrifice. They did not agree to live without the love of their life so that spouses can complain about the gate being backed up because the gate guards are being vigilant and protecting our families. They did not sacrifice so that their peers could complain endlessly about the FRG or the Ombudsman, or the Command Support Team. They did not sacrifice so that their peers could go on and on about how there is no hourly care at the CDC because the spaces are all filled with children whose parents are active duty and their spouses who work. They did not sacrifice so that their peers could complain about the movie selection at the base movie theater.

 No these are not the reasons our fellow brothers and sisters sacrificed it all and it makes me boil with anger that some people feel it is ok to complain and act as if the above mentioned items are a great sacrifice. Now don’t get me wrong it is perfectly acceptable to be frustrated with these situations. However, we must remember and keep in perspective that the above issues and similar issues are small sacrifices or inconveniences when compared to the sacrifices the Gold Star Spouses have made. NOT ONE of us would want to walk in their shoes. And as anyone who has lost a loved one knows, losing someone you love makes all of the unimportant things in life disappear. So, I am asking you that you seriously consider your actions and think to yourself, “Is the way I live my life and carry myself honoring these families who have given it all?”

 I am not asking you to give up your opinion or the things that are important to you, what I am asking is that you realize that there are greater sacrifices in the world than not getting to see the movie you want on base. To my brothers and sisters who have sacrificed it all, I want to thank you for the love you have for your spouse and the commitment you have to them to stand by their side in this life time commitment to their service.