The following excerpt came from a monologue at the end of the Lifetime show, Army Wives on July 1st. While this is not directly from an army wife, I believe it is a reflection of how many feel. Sometimes we forget the role the families of those defending our freedoms both overseas and here at home play. I was brought to tears on Friday evening at the Red, White, and Boom celebration as I watched mothers file onto the stage holding pictures of their sons who are serving in the US military. As July 4th approaches and you pause to celebrate the freedoms we do have, pause to remember those fighting around the world for the cause of freedom, as well as their family members who live everyday with the burden of being separated from their loved ones.

I married a committed military man, and I have loved this military life. I have also had to put my personal opinions aside, to truly understand that our defenders of freedom are fighting a bigger battle. Not a political one. Their battle goes beyond politics, beyond religion, race, or gender. They’re the defenders for us all. They’re the defenders of our differences. As one soldier is taken away from us, another returns to us. There is balance in the universe, a natural system of order.

Look beside each soldier and you will find the people who fight with them. The spouses, the sons, the daughters, the families. We serve, too. Their victories are our victories. Their defeats are our defeats. Together we fight for our freedom.

For 18 years I have tried to be the perfect wife and mother. Each day I disappoint myself. Human life isn’t about perfection. It is about accepting the flawed, the misguided parts of ourselves. We keep trying, we keep loving, we keep believing. I am proud of the role we play maintaining peace in our country and in the world. I am proud to stand beside a man whose integrity shines like a diamond in the dust. And I am proud to call myself an army wife.