I am a woman. I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I have been called ambitious. I have been called a bitch. I have been called impassioned and I have been called relentless. I am a soldier. I love makeup and celeb gossip. I watch VH1 reality Television faithfully. I have been in love. I have been heartbroken. I have three children that are everything to me. I worry when they cough. I worry when they cry. I worry when they sleep a little longer then usual. I put on an uniform everyday with U.S. Army on the left and my last name on the right. I have not yet left my babies to make that trip overseas but I understand I will in time. I am ready to fight for those who support me and those who do not. I stand ready to deploy as part of the best originization in the world. Understand that I am human and the thought of seperation brings tears to my eyes. Understand that I must be loyal to this wonderful country and to those with whom I serve. I alone raised my right hand and said I will protect and defend. Many woman have deployed. Some have returned, and some never will. We are not different then the men. Our physical standards may be different, but we possess the same motivations and ideals. I read a critique on woman who choose to serve. The source mocked us, calling us bad mothers, calling us neglectful. Calling our children abandoned. Some judges share these views. Many woman come back to a custody battle, and many woman loose. I have watched this happen to a friend and it was heartbreaking. The Womans Army Corp began in 1941 and merged into one army in 1978. For 30 years we have been serving alongside men. We are no better. We are no less. Every soldier has a story. Every soldier has a reason. Beside every soldier is a comrade. Let us not forget what this day is all about. Let us not forget how far we have come. Let us not forget the men who serve, Let us not forget the woman. Give a moment to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and remember today is more then just a federal holiday.
My comrade, thank you for this! 2nd General Hospital, Landstuhl, Germany 1986-1990. I only served four years, but I still feel an obligation to support MY troops. May God bless you and your family. I never realized there were things such as what you have written about so eloquently are still going on in our Armed Forces. I had my share of battles within and outside the confines of the military. I salute you for your bravery in you stance and for those that won't stand behind you and our troops by all means they can stand on the front lines in front of them...
Thank you for this V. I would like to make tribute to you,Lena, my friend Jodi who just left for boot camp and left her small baby behind, and all the rest of the woman who serve in the military. I would like to thank you all for doing what most can't not even fathom.You are all hero's in my book men and woman. (My son is also in the Navy) Thank you Again for your courage and protection!
Many blessings,
Lena