"Well, you signed up for it"

I was asked to write a piece about military life for an literary journal recently, and I thought, "No big deal.  I do this all of the time".  What would I write about?  There is an enormous amount of our military lives that cannot be summed up in words, and trying to does not come close to painting an accurate picture of what it really means to be an "Army" family.  I write this all of the time, I know.  It is true though.  This one percent of the population, our active duty, influence every person, every day in ways that are not calculate-able.  Often times we don't even recognize the weight carried by our military and their families.  I sometimes hear ignorant people claim, "You signed up for that".  It is their way of telling us to stop complaining about the burdens of our lives.  That is 100% correct.  We DID indeed sign up for this.  That is so very completely, and unarguably true.  He put his signature on the dotted line not just once, but four times.  He knew what he was doing each time.  He did not do it for the money (I laugh at the idea that there is any money in this life).  He did not do it for the glory of being a hero.  He did not even do it for the love of his country.  At first, this was just a job.  The economy collapsed after 9/11, the jobs went with it, and we had kids that required feeding.  So, it is our fault, I suppose.

My husband is no hero.  Most Americans aren't.  It doesn't matter if they wear a uniform.  Heroes are rare.  It isn't that a person has to be exceptional to he a hero, it is only when the chips are down and the outlook isn't so great that heroes are made.  Heroes are no one special.  Heroes are everyday Joe's who are dealing with extraordinary circumstances, and choosing to do it with grace.  I do, however, pause to think that many of the foolish voices that scream so loudly that our American soldiers are nothing more than paid mercenaries, would be of much help when help is needed.  I am more inclined to think that it those who choose time and again to sign on the dotted line, who will come to our aid when we need it.  The fact that anyone willingly signs that enlistment or commissioning paperwork, allows others to choose not to.  You don't have to think of our men and women in harms way as your heroes, but you should at the very least, see them for what they are.  They are a buffer between you and those bullets you are afraid of catching.  At least give them some respect for that.