Life with a Military Veteran Family
I was born into a military family. I have always heard stories growing up as a child of my grandfather and uncle serving overseas. I felt the pain of knowing that I could have lost one or both of them at any given time. However, it was always a privilege to say that those two men were my heroes until the year of 1999. My life was about to take a ride on an emotional roller coaster.
In 1999, I met my husband, and with him, he brought more military family members who had served and who were still serving our country. His father served in the United States Air Force, his brother in the Navy and Army. The first time my brother-in-law was stationed overseas, I had the most horrific feeling. I was worried about his safety even though that was the last thing he had on his mind. Every time I would watch the news and see something bad going on, all I wanted was an email or a phone call from him just to know that he was okay. I can only imagine what the spouses and children of all service men and women out there have felt.
After each deployment, he’d return all happy-go-lucky and wait patiently for the next mission. My family and I felt the opposite. We just hoped that it wasn’t going to be anytime soon. I know we cried many tears when he left and just as many with each return. I sometimes think he liked to see how much we cared for him and loved him for fighting for our freedom.
The heartache and worry will never stop. It has only taken me 18 years to finally figure that out. With every injury or safe return, these men and women are ready for another journey. I have been blessed to be part of my family members’ journey. This is either by helping them with appointments or just by being there to lend a hand or an ear. If everyone would take the time to just give 5 minutes of their time for someone else, they wouldn’t believe how much their lives would change.
I have had the pleasure to meet some great people at Walter Reed Hospital, and not one story is the same. I would like to thank the service members in my military family for what they have sacrificed along with everyone else who puts their lives on the line for all of us. It is with great honor and gratitude that I stand here today and say that I am the proudest granddaughter, niece, daughter-in-law, and sister-in-law of some of bravest veterans I have ever known.
Thank you for everything,
Candice Howard
- What’s Missing in Today’s Military: Integrity - March 20, 2018
- What’s Missing in Today’s Military: Honor - March 19, 2018
- Veterans without Care: What’s Wrong with the VA? - December 18, 2017
