Military Appreciation Day

I'm still new to the culture and traditions that go along with being part of the extended military family community. As the parent of a soldier, certain holidays are taking on new meaning and I'm more aware than ever of the sacrifices made not just by the men and women in uniform, but of the spouses and significant others who provide a special kind of support.

And, so, with a big thanks to a fellow blogger named Nike (pronounced like the shoe) I've just become aware that today is Oregon Military Appreciation Day... and I'm thinking how much Lori and I appreciate our daughter-in-law Jamie (above).

(An extra shout-out for Starr, who's married to our nephew Austin, and along with their two young daughters, has endured his multiple deployments with the Navy.)

Nike wrote a beautiful post on her blog, Small Town Girl, that captures everything I'd want to say -- and more. And so I include this link to her post, "A Salute to the Silent Ranks," which includes this poem:

The Silent Ranks

Author Unknown

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens
But I am in the Army in the ranks rarely seen
I have no rank upon my shoulders - salutes I do not give
But the military world is the place where I live
I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man
And the call to serve his country not all can understand
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me
I love the man I married, Soldiering is his life
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Army Wife.