navywifebeth

Knott’s Berry Farm is sponsoring a salute to Veteran’s, offering free admission for vets (includes active duty) and one guest. I think it is a wonderful effort to honor veterans. It was, however, interesting to learn that if your service member is deployed the spouse and children could not enjoy this opportunity.  While it is totally the right of Knott’s Berry Farm to institute their rules for the Veteran’s Day Salute, and it is wonderful that they did this (a’hem…hint-hint Disney), it did raise a thought…what about the spouse?

Let me ask a question. When you think about Veteran’s Day what do you think of? Do you think of WWII vets? Perhaps you are reminded of our often neglected veterans - Viet Nam Vets. Or do you think of the first Gulf War vets our our newest generation of vets? But - do you think about spouses?

 Most service members are married. If you’re a spouse you do not have to be told that you serve right along side your servicemember. We endure deployments, unwelcomed relocations, stress and much more as military wives.

There is something inside me that says Veteran’s Day should be about the Veterans. I don’t want to take anything away from their very real service and sacrifice. Yet when I hear of a limitation on a veterans opportunity like the Knott’s salute, specifically reserving it for the vet and excluding the spouse, I have to wonder if the unique lifestyle and challenges of the military spouse is too much of a secret.

 I read some months back that an organization was endeavoring to erect a monument on the Mall in Washington, DC to honor military spouses. It is an interesting endevor and proposition.

I don’t ever want to minimize or take away from the sacrifice and service of veterans but I wonder if there is a place for an official Military Spouse Day. Any thoughts?

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