Tipping our Hat to Spouses

Happy National Military Family Month

ThisLIfe are giving families the gift of connection. Free 2-year subscription: http://www.thislife.com/militaryfamilies

Outback Steakhouse offers a Military Mates 10% off discount November 13-December 31.  outback.com/troops

White House Black Market is also offering a 15% discount through December 31.  Use offer code 11379 at checkout!  

I needed a little inspiration before I could pen this post.  My boss, the great Stephanie Himel-Nelson, is thankfully patient and understanding (shameless brown nosing for turning this in late) but I found some thanks to none other than the Devil Dogs themselves.

It’s National Military Family Month and the month we celebrate Veteran’s Day.  Companies are offering all sorts of discounts and deals, freebies, and giveaways.  You can write about your loved one serving in the military, post photos and send cards.  All this is incredible.  No one asked Von Maur to do a giveaway.  Olive Garden doesn’t have to sling salads and breadsticks with a discount. But they do and for that, I am grateful.  I’ve said it before: care packages are over!  The bases overseas are well stocked and baby wipes and chapstick, while useful, are just not the priority.  What is and what should be the priority for military families and veterans is something far less tangible. And these gestures are perfect examples of ways that civilians can offer their support.  Military families, for the most part, wish that civilians understood our life more but seeing the list of companies that ARE supporting veterans proves that the larger civilian community DOES in fact recognize and is thankful for our military. 

Last night my husband and I attended the USMC Birthday Ball.  I wore a sparkly dress and he donned his mess dress, medals and crumble-bun – “It’s there to catch the crumbles of food,” he declared. During the ceremony, a Birthday message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Amos, is shown on a giant screen.  During the video, he recounts a significant battle in the Corps’ history – the Marines on Guadalcanal; the lives lost and of course the grit and determination typical of Leathernecks.   There were salty old Marines who spoke of the bloody event and then a few Marines from today’s Corps who recounted skirmishes from the most recent campaigns.  The most significant moment, in my opinion, was an interview with the spouse of a Marine.  She spoke of his dedication, his resolve and of her pride.  I suspect the classy Mrs. Bonnie Amos had something to do with this but regardless – it was big.  What validation.  (Like having the President speak at BlogHer) Spouses made the cut. And while we have known that our role in eleven years of war is real, it still felt good to see that Marine spouse on the big screen.

My thanks to all who are offering discounts (even Hooters has entered the Vets Day discount fray - nothing says honoring our vets like short shorts …). I’m going to thank my Marine on Veteran’s Day and every day after that but I will also thank my fabulous military spouse friends too during National Military Family Month.