November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and today is the United States Marine Corps birthday. There are approximately 1.3 million troops within the 5 branches of the United States Military, and at any given time, there are approximately 450,000 troops deployed overseas, stationed away from home and away from their families.
Many of us take for granted the sacrifices they make and don’t pause to think what they have given up to keep us protected. While the rest of the country prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, and the Holidays, many troops won’t be home. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, separated from their loved ones. They make this sacrifice willingly, but that doesn’t mean that it hurts any less. It’s just a new normal.
And it’s not just the holidays they miss, it’s birthdays, anniversaries, their children’s school and sports events. The families left behind learn that holidays are just like any other day, and can be celebrated whenever we want! So we make as many adjustments as we can. Celebrating Christmas in May, or birthdays early.
Life at home continues on without them, and this creates a whole new dynamic. It creates a constant struggle between single parenthood for the parent left behind and then reintroducing the other parent back into the family dynamic after each deployment. This life is not for the faint of heart. Many couples and marriages don’t make it.
My oldest son is now a former Marine, my 2nd son is an active duty Marine, and my 3rd son is contemplating joining as well! Even though I understand the sacrifices we all make, I am incredibly proud of my sons.
Below are some family pictures of when my oldest son graduated Boot Camp and became a Marine at MCRDSD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego).
To become a Marine, boots have to pass the Crucible. It is the culmination of all of the training they’d received up to this point.
Landing in San Diego, you can see MCRD from the plane. This is the closest I’d been to my son in 13 weeks. Knowing I was so close, but wouldn’t be able to see him for another day was excruciating.
One of my first chances to see my son, but we still can’t talk to him. Seeing this picture brings back all the feels. This was during a stop on their Moto run, where they paused for parents to see their Marines up close for the first time in months. Afterward, he said that he couldn’t look at us right here because he was afraid he’d lose it if he saw us crying (which we were).
Finally together! And soon enough, we will get to go through this all over again. OohRah!
Update: And again we did! Here is my 2nd son on his Moto run on family day at MCRDSD
Another shot from the infamous Moto run. It’s amazing how they change in 13 weeks.
Resources for Military Families
