Victoria is a young lady Diane and I had in our church youth group. She is also one of my Facebook friends. I enjoy how Facebook allows me to follow the lives of some of the young people we have had the privilege of leading through the years. Victoria's recent posts serve as a reminder to me of the sacrifices many of America's young people make every day to make our lives better.
Victoria's parents were both in the military and Victoria and several of her siblings followed in their parents' footsteps and entered the military, as well. While she never puts enough detail in her posts to give away where she is going or has been, I have been able to surmise she has been deployed several times to regions that I am happy to avoid.
Many of her posts include inside jokes or comments that are completely lost on someone like me who has never served in our military. Many of her posts over the past year, though, have been a profound reminder of our service men and women's commitment to keeping America safe. One such post last week really touched my heart and has gnawed at my mind to the point that I decided I had to write about it.
Last week was Victoria's second wedding anniversary. She married another soldier. I have never met Anthony. I have watched Victoria's posts over the last year as she counted down the months, weeks and days until she could be with Anthony again. You see, for half of their married life, Anthony has been deployed.
I have no idea where Anthony's deployment has taken him other than to know that he is far from his bride. Oh, sure, today's technology lets them talk to each other from time to time and they can send messages back and forth in near real time. But it's not the same as being able to look into your loved one's eyes; to hold their hand; to feel their breath on your cheek or the beating of their heart as you embrace. No, Victoria and Anthony have had to forego those things that most of us take for granted every day because they are keeping America safe.
Victoria's posts over the past year have reminded me that the millions who serve, or who have served, have sacrificed much - many having given the ultimate sacrifice - all in the name of keeping America safe. While we collectively remember their service each year when Memorial Day or Veteran's Day rolls around; they serve 365 days per year. Victoria's posts about her anniversary passing with her husband many miles away just served to remind me that we need to be mindful of those who serve not just on their "special days" but each and every day as they set aside their personal lives and are separated from their families all in the interest of keeping America safe.
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