Army (aka military) Wives.

I am a military wife.

One major mistake I am making is rewatching all of Army Wives. Basically, I cry every episode. I was crying to these episodes prior to becoming a military wife. Now that I have assumed that title, rewatching these episodes has a whole new meaning.

My husband is a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. His job is a Saxophonist in the Marine Corps band. No, he isn't infantry or Delta Force like these women on the show, thank God. He isn't the first being sent on missions through the Afghan desert. He isn't hiding as a sniper, shooting someone from a far distance. Instead, he plays in ceremonies and parades. While other people may look at the band is lesser because they play instruments instead of shooting guns all day, but I think quite the opposite.

It's just like the duty of the families who are left behind. Families are an essential part of the military dynamic. We are the ones who are left behind and have to hold up everything on the home front while our soldiers, or marines, or whatever branch you're part of, are out doing their duty to serve their country.

The bands in the military play a big part. They help to boost morale. They keep people united for a common goal. Since Kyle is in the band, I have the privilege of seeing him play whenever there is an open invitation or parade and it is within driving distance. Lately, that has meant I have been able to watch him play more frequently since they have been playing a little more around town. When they play the Marine's Hymns or any of the other branches' songs, there is a huge smile that spreads across my face. Why? Because you can see across the crowd, one by one, as men and women stand and rise in honor of the branch they served in. There is a look in their eyes of honor and pride.

Music does something to people. It can bring to mind past memories or feelings in a way a simple word or picture can't always do. The fact that my husband can bring that kind of a feeling... a feeling of pride... remembrance... unity... to all the people who are sitting there listening. That makes me proud. I am proud of my husband and what he does for this country and for the USMC even though it isn't one that requires him to hold a gun on all his assignments.

So, now, as I watch all of these episodes of Army Wives where death and sadness fill the air... it makes me appreciate everything good so much more. Though Kyle is only in the band, he could be called away to deploy especially if there was some kind of war that broke out. His MOS does not require any kind of immunity from deploying. He still went through basic training. He still has to requalify for shooting everything, etc. If they need him, he'll go.

For now, I will sit back and wait while he leaves on trips for concerts or parades or more trainings. I will continue to be thankful that he is the man I fell in love with and was able to make my husband even though he is a Marine and there is always a risk for danger. I will also be proud of the man he is and what he does for this country.

To all the other military wives out there... keep up what you're doing. You are the backbone to this country because without you supporting our troops, who knows what it would be like here.