Working for the Defense Department overseas has its benefits, one being that we get an APO address. Since we have moved to Korea, our family has graciously sent us several care packages and presents for us and the kids. My mother-in-law and I always laugh because every time she goes to mail us a package the post-man says “thanks ma’am for supporting the troops!” Recently however this saying started to resonate within me.
Sometimes unless an issue has a direct impact on you or a close friend or family member, it can be hard to grasp the concept and relate to it. For example if you are not a special ed. teacher or a parent of a child with disabilities you can’t possibly know the effects on those individuals’ lives.
Over the years I’ve heard the slogan “Support our Troops”, however it never really affected me in any sort of way. If anything, my definition of supporting our troops would mean gathering at a peace rally against war. My parents were not part of the armed services, none of my friends joined the military. I’ve always been very far removed from the subject.
The first time I’d say the lives of soldiers impacted me was when I watched the recently televised PBS series "Carrier". The story behind each one of those navy soldiers really moved me. The circumstances that led them into the Navy, how they survive living on those ships for months at a time and the family in many cases that they left behind. I was glued to the tv for the 5 days and 10 hours that it aired.
Now that many of our activities evolve around or take place on a military base, the people I meet and the friends I make these days most likely have ties to the military. Their stories never cease to amaze me. Both husband and wife are in the military, their baby lives with the Mom or the sister lives with the Dad in Korea and the brother lives with their Mom in Germany. Or their husband is in the field for several days at a time. Separation appears to be a constant in their lives. So many important moments missed, birthday parties, births, holidays. The coping mechanisms that get them through all of this.
A friend last weekend had planned a birthday party for her son who was turning 5. It was a large gathering after her church service on Sunday. Unfortunately, her husband was in the field at the time and missed the party. I couldn’t help to think how sad that was after all of the effort she put into the party, the food and decorations and for the birthday boy himself. But I could see she had a community of support around her through her church members and friends. Consequently, supporting our troops may not involve directly sending support to the soldier fighting a war overseas but the lives of those affected by their service. It really is something to think about and I thought it appropriate to share as part of our experience here in Korea.
It’s odd to think that Steve has a role in our US military but he definitely is my number one hero and soldier. He has done a fabulous job supporting me, Benjamin and Sadie as well as contributing to saving our planet through his environmental efforts! Oh and by the way, we love our packages, so you can continue to “support those troops”!!
Sometimes unless an issue has a direct impact on you or a close friend or family member, it can be hard to grasp the concept and relate to it. For example if you are not a special ed. teacher or a parent of a child with disabilities you can’t possibly know the effects on those individuals’ lives.
Over the years I’ve heard the slogan “Support our Troops”, however it never really affected me in any sort of way. If anything, my definition of supporting our troops would mean gathering at a peace rally against war. My parents were not part of the armed services, none of my friends joined the military. I’ve always been very far removed from the subject.
The first time I’d say the lives of soldiers impacted me was when I watched the recently televised PBS series "Carrier". The story behind each one of those navy soldiers really moved me. The circumstances that led them into the Navy, how they survive living on those ships for months at a time and the family in many cases that they left behind. I was glued to the tv for the 5 days and 10 hours that it aired.
Now that many of our activities evolve around or take place on a military base, the people I meet and the friends I make these days most likely have ties to the military. Their stories never cease to amaze me. Both husband and wife are in the military, their baby lives with the Mom or the sister lives with the Dad in Korea and the brother lives with their Mom in Germany. Or their husband is in the field for several days at a time. Separation appears to be a constant in their lives. So many important moments missed, birthday parties, births, holidays. The coping mechanisms that get them through all of this.
A friend last weekend had planned a birthday party for her son who was turning 5. It was a large gathering after her church service on Sunday. Unfortunately, her husband was in the field at the time and missed the party. I couldn’t help to think how sad that was after all of the effort she put into the party, the food and decorations and for the birthday boy himself. But I could see she had a community of support around her through her church members and friends. Consequently, supporting our troops may not involve directly sending support to the soldier fighting a war overseas but the lives of those affected by their service. It really is something to think about and I thought it appropriate to share as part of our experience here in Korea.
It’s odd to think that Steve has a role in our US military but he definitely is my number one hero and soldier. He has done a fabulous job supporting me, Benjamin and Sadie as well as contributing to saving our planet through his environmental efforts! Oh and by the way, we love our packages, so you can continue to “support those troops”!!
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