We will be traveling to Laughlin AFB, TX on April 27th where our son will be receiving his "Silver Wings" on April 25th at Laughlin Air Force Base, TX. My daughter-in-law is his strongest supporter and partner. I ask God to Bless them and all military families as they continue their journey together.

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This was read on a local radio morning show. It is so heart-felt and

emotional that even the hosts had a break down after reading it. I

still have tears in my eyes. Thank you for our freedom and GOD BLESS

AMERICA.

Letter to a Military Spouse

While I have never had the pleasure of meeting you and your husband, I

felt the need to write you and express a very deep feeling that I have

in my heart.

I as a person, am not brave. I do not tackle things head on, as I hate

confrontation. I will travel 100 miles out of my way just to avoid a

conflict. I am a American woman that has no idea what is going on in

the military other than what I hear on the news. I never had to let go of

someone so that they could go fight for people that they did not know,

people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are

fighting for.

I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that

another bomb has exploded and I still haven't heard from my husband. I

have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one that I love

so much.

I have never had to tell my children that daddy wasn't coming home

tonight because he was so far away fighting for something that they

aren't yet old enough to understand. I have never had to hold my head

up high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another

six months of separation before my loves one gets to come home.

I have never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I

thought I would share every day of my life with.

And I have never had to feel the panic, rising in my heart at the sound

of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the news

that everyone is terrified of getting.

For the reasons listed above, I cannot tell you that I understand how

you feel. I cannot tell you that you must be strong. I cannot say

that you shouldn't be angry, because you " knew what you were

getting into when you married a military man." I cannot say

these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.

What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of

bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him

as " just another soldier"---- I will never have to walk in your shoes.

I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a

certain amount of control , but I never understood how you could do it,

until now. I have figured out that you are not like other woman. You

are of a special breed. You have a strength within you, that holds life

together in the darkest of hours, a strength of which I will never

possess. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it

makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The

United States of America.

You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American. I

have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but

until recently I never thought much about those that the soldier leaves at

home during deployment.

Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America

meant to me.

Until this moment, I had no real reason to... Until I heard of you.

Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from

those who wish to hurt us.... But you and those like you are the

backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and the

hearts alive while most would just break completely down. Military

families make this nation what it is today.

You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long

dark tunnel.

Because of you and your family...I am able to be me. I am able to have

my family. I am able to walk free in this great land. Because of you

and your family, I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that

life is going to be okay. Because of you and your family, I can awake to a

new day, everyday.

I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of

these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you

to you and your family for allowing me that freedom.

I will never be able to repay this dept to you, as it is unmatchable.

However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are... what you

doing... what has happened today...or what will happen tomorrow...your

husband will NEVER be " just another soldier" to me... And you, my dear

sweet lady, will never be forgotten.

You are all in my prayers everyday and I pray that God will bring you

back together with your loved one safely.

Sincerely,

Melissa G. Bouldin-Reeves

That is so beautiful. I have a son that has made a career in the US Coast Guard. I feel very selfishly proud that he is not in the "immediate danger" suffered by those serving in other branches of service, especially those at the front lines in the Mideast. My heart, my prayers and my gratitude go to all who serve, including the spouses that are at home "keeping the fires burning". May God bless you all.

All who serve in the military, regardless of their branch or location, are true American heroes, as are their spouses and families. God's blessings on all of them, and my family's heartfelt and unyielding gratitude.

Here's another nod of Thanks to your Son. ~Mandy

Gail...

You have every right to be proud of your son, and his wife. Both my husband and my brother are Air Force vets from the Vietnam era. It is a long and proud tradition, as well as a huge responsibility, that these young men and women carry on their shoulders. I know your boy will do you proud.

God bless you and yours....

Best wishes to your son and daughter in law!