I think I've mentioned before how naive and ungrateful I was about the military before I personally got involved in it. Memorial Day would come and go and I would just be happy I had the day off. Never thought much else about it. Maybe I would hear something on the radio about it, but seriously, never REALLY much thought.
This weekend has already been different for me. I have a completely new outlook. You see, last week, reality hit. Big time. I woke up to a phone call from a friend Wednesday morning. He told me he read in the newspaper that a Navy helicopter had crashed off the coast of San Diego during a training exercise. 5 people died. I quickly went to the computer to look up the story, and sure enough, that helicopter was from Carrier Air Wing 11, on the Nimitz. Just in case you guys didn't know, that's where Spencer is right now. He is assigned specifically to Air Wing 11. I knew that Spencer was not on the helicopter. I had been on the phone with him the night the accident happened. I was not worried about him. However, I was still a complete mess. There were 5 other families that day that had to hear news of their family members' death. Five families heartbroken. It hit so close to home.
Spencer did not know any of the people involved in the accident, but a lot of the people who he works with knew them. My heart aches for them. On this Memorial Day, I am extremely grateful for all those who have served and still serve our country. I am grateful for the family members who have supported them. And my heart goes out to all those who have lost someone. This was a wake up call for me. The reality that something could happen to Spencer is very much real now. Even if it is just a training exercise. I am proud to support him. Knowing that he is fighting for a good cause - a cause that benefits the entire country, makes it a LITTLE easier to be on my own for a while without him.
I hope you all get a chance to really think about what the service men and women have done for YOU on this Memorial Day.
2 comments:
Well said. I'm glad Spencer is okay. You are so right. It is so easy to glance over the meaning of Memorial Day and forget about our men and women serving us on a daily basis. Thanks for reminding us we have a lot to be grateful for.
Thanks for your post. You are awesome along with your Hubby. Thank you both! My sister-in-law and brother-in-law have helped me keep the right perspective. He has been in Iraq 2 times (a year at a time) in the last 4 years. I've watched my sister-in-law have 2 babies on her own. It is truly heroic.
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