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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'm a Military Wifeand I'm Speaking Out Against Trump
The only other time I felt this insecure about our life as a military family was in March of 2003. I was seven months pregnant, on bed rest for stress-induced pre-term labor, watching CNN. I could barely see the television over the tent-like nightgown covering my enormous stomach. The screen cut to jets flying over Iraq, part of President George W. Bush's "Shock and Awe" campaign. I knew my husband was in the cockpit of one of those airplanes, or preparing for a flight on the carrier circling below.
To calm myself, I recited the unofficial military family mantra: "Whatever the outcome, it's worth it because __________." In that moment, I told myself the danger and the struggle and the distance was worth it because the government and military were operating together to restore justice to a country that badly needed it. Something about this unity of purpose, the shared risk and shared commitment, eased my angst.
By 2007 the war in Iraqwhose mission was declared "accomplished" in May 2003was still raging on. I had just agreed to pen a memoir about our experience as a military family enduring prolonged wartime deployments, and my publishers were hungry for a controversial, sales-inducing title like, "Military Spouse Rails Against the White House."
My husband, an active-duty Navy pilot, was already spending six to eight months at a time in war zones, and we knew he would be tapped for more time away in the future. I wasn't happy about this, but I understood why it was required. Despite ideological differences, I trusted the White House and Pentagon to act in good faith when dictating the fate of the troops, of the man I loved and the father of my children. I trusted that Bush and his closest advisorsmany of whom wore the stars and stripes of past servicewould treat deployment with the requisite seriousness. That's why I declined to author a provocative tell-all to advance my career. Instead, I wrote a book that answered a question military spouses are often asked: "How are you holding up?"
I wish someone would ask me that now, two months into the Trump administration. (The answer: Not well.) I wish there was a how-to book to guide military families through a Commander in Chief who live-Tweets his presidency, disparages judges, rejects intelligence briefings that don't align with his narrative, leverages his position to promote personally gainful commercial ventures, maligns an entire religion, supports the dismantling of government institutions, smears our former president, and threatens our free press. A Commander in Chief who blames his generals for a failed operation.
http://www.marieclaire.com/politics/features/a25993/wife-of-military-officer-dont-trust-trump/
underthematrix
(5,811 posts)Lyricalinklines
(367 posts)Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2017, 11:10 PM - Edit history (1)
You serve in different capacity, certainly, and still an important part of the mission. Your husband trusts you to maintain your lives and he can concentrate on his mission. Therefore, I appreciate your service.
I'm appalled he (trump) chooses actions that add unnecessary stress and strife to our service members and families.
Sending positive thoughts especially your way today.
ailsagirl
(22,837 posts)I like your post!
Lyricalinklines
(367 posts)Happy to have discovered this site!
msongs
(67,193 posts)AwakeAtLast
(14,112 posts)Although the entire year he was in Iraq I never heard that question. My situation was basically ignored, by many people.