November 10: A Quiet Reminder of What Matters

Today, November 10, holds special significance for me in more than one way. First of all, on this day in 1775, the Marine Corps was founded. Yes, even before the thirteen colonies declared their independence, men were organizing the United States’ first military force.

I realize most people could care less about the Marine Corps birthday, but throughout the last 250 years men and women have served and died for their country. My parents and I served in the Marines—my parents in WWII, and me during Vietnam (that’s me in the pic). One of my brothers served in the Navy, also during the Vietnam Era. So in that sense, today is a birthday for me.

Today also holds significance because it was 48 years ago that I was discharged from the Marines. Five weeks later I gave birth to my first child. A week later, we set out on a 6-week road trip to California, vacationing with family along the way. On February 6 (my birthday), we boarded a plane in California bound for duty at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Not an easy task with a brand new baby!

Life in the Military

Life in the military, whether as a service member or married to one, is quite different from life as a civilian. You move when and where they say. You deal with long separations from your spouse and kids while deployed to foreign countries. In my first year of marriage, my husband and I were together only 3 months of that year because he was aboard ship for 6 months serving in the Mediterranean, and then another 3-month stint in the NATO region. And the possibility of death hangs over you every day.

My husband served in Force Reconnaissance (think SEALs only for the Marine Corps). He was SCUBA and jump qualified. Imagine it, jumping out of an airplane with your landing zone the ocean! When he went to work, the possibility that he wouldn’t come home existed every day.

A little know fact about the Marine Corps is that the president can deploy Marines to anywhere in the world he chooses without Congressional approval. Thus the nickname, the President’s Own. Each day my husband might find himself deployed in another part of the world by day’s end, and I would be left wondering where he was. Those missions were always top secret.

Two of my three children grew up as what is known as military brats, moving from one duty station to another, including four years in Germany. It’s a life of which every family member bears sacrifices.

I love my country dearly, though she is struggling. And I can never watch Danny Gokey’s “My America” video without breaking down into tears.

Veteran’s Day

Tomorrow we honor all military men and women with Veteran’s Day. Founded on November 11, 1919—one year after the end of WWI—as a commemoration of the armistice (the cease-fire) that went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Originally named Armistice Day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law changing it to Veteran’s Day to honor all veterans, not just those who served in WWI.

I take immense pride in having served in the Corps. As the saying goes, Once a Marine, always a Marine. What I learned during that time has served me through all my adult years. But I want to remind you that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. We fight that battle on our knees in prayer.

Tell a veteran thank you for their service. And don’t just say it on Veteran’s Day. I didn’t hear those words until 2007—30 years after my discharge—and they impacted me in a way that took me by surprise. We all like to know that what we do is appreciated.

God designed a purpose for each one of us. Let’s embrace that purpose knowing that God is right beside us to help us succeed. By doing that, we’ll make our world a better place.