If you’re scrolling through social media today, you have probably seen posts about the American troops that have rapidly deployed in big numbers this week. I don’t know the statistics, but it seems like it has been a while since we’ve seen this kind of quick reaction and deployment on such a scale as 3,000+ troops. And the reactions are already rolling in…
I don’t watch much of the news as a general rule when it comes to military movements and events. I have a pretty reliable source for that – and while so many people are reposting articles about the soldiers leaving, talking about how the block holiday leave has been interrupted for so many, and expressing their concern for our troops and their families… still others persist with yet another reason to disagree and cast blame.
Watching video of the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division march out on that airfield, army green against a beautiful blue sky, with that ominous C-17 looming in the background, I get goosebumps. Knowing where they are headed, my eyes fill with tears. The ones taking those pictures, watching those soldiers walk away from them, make my heart ache. Writing these words I am filled with so many memories of the same and my first instinct is to squeeze those tears back and pray every prayer I’ve got for their safe return.
You know what else I feel though? Maybe it’s just me, but I hope not. It’s so hard to describe, but I’ll try…
Those men and women in uniform – walking away from their holiday break, their families, their homes and neighborhoods, their daily comforts, their way of life – represent a level of pride and hope that you can’t put words to. They come from different backgrounds, neighborhoods, and beliefs. They don’t all follow the same sport or have the same favorite team. They might like country music or hip hop or Chopin. They probably voted for different people and have plenty to say about the state of politics in this country. Yet somehow, miraculously, these thousands of diverse human beings are all walking together under a blue sky towards an unknown outcome. Why.
Because that is AMERICA.
AMERICA means our military men & women stand ready and willing to hop that C-17 to God knows where or what, because they believe that this country and this way of life are WORTH THE RISK. You. Me. Our children. Millions of people these men & women will never set eyes on – we are worth it. Imagine believing in something with such conviction that you are willing to set aside what and who you hold most precious and say, “ME. I will go.”
Just a take a moment, please. Imagine squeezing the hand of the girl of your dreams – the woman you married, made a family with and fought through all the ups and downs with – the late nights & early mornings, long drives, unexpected changes, the fights, the firsts, the holidays, the plans, the losses, the unexpected bumps and the best days ever, imagine squeezing her hand one more time, kissing her one more time, looking into those eyes as familiar as your own – one. more. time. – Maybe a wink. Maybe a nod. “Be right back.” And then walking away with only the hope of coming back to her and all the promises you made to each other. What conviction would it take? What bravery? What strength?
TELL ME. Who among us can say we would take the risk?
You’re looking at them. On your newsfeeds and Facebook walls. Those faces you don’t know and never will. The eyes that are watching them walk away that you will never have to face. THEY walk boldly away from the dreams and opportunities the rest of us will continue to tuck safely under our pillows tonight with our prayers. THAT. IS. AMERICA. That is pride built on something more than the opinions, politics, politicians, or whatever social movement of the day is current. Without them, there are no causes, no opportunities, and no dreams to unfold.
Do you feel it yet? Do you feel the power in their choice to STAND and GO? I do. And it doesn’t make me sad. It makes me shake with pride and cry tears of gratitude that I can bear witness to such unbelievable selfless SERVICE and COURAGE. That I should be worthy of such bravery. That this country, so treacherously & hatefully divided, should be so unified by them. Do you feel it? Can you see it? THAT. IS. AMERICA.
HOPE. These stories and pictures shouldn’t inspire deeper disagreement or finger pointing or blame. They should inspire HOPE. That is what I feel when I see those pictures and find myself smiling at them – no matter the state of the country, the politics, or who sent them – THEY. GO. For us. For all of us. That kind of love and conviction should be celebrated & emulated. It should UNITE us. It should inspire us to make THEIR AMERICA a better place.
Take notice. Smile for them. Cry for them. Pray for them. Believe in them. Wait for them.
Strong Anyway 
I’m crying while I’m writing this reply. You are so right Katie. These brave men & women believe America is worth fighting for. They say goodbye to family & friends knowing the risk. However they do it anyways. Because it’s America. “You can’t be brave without being scared” is a quote Ross always tells the kids when he is gone. Love & hugs to your amazing family 🙂 Individuals who put aside differences to be a whole.
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Katie you have such a gift with words!!! Beautifully written!!!
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This is beautifully written and speaks volumes. Thank you for writing this.
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Well stated! Thank you for sharing! Thank you to our military for my freedom! Thank you families of these individuals for your sacrifice! God bless all of you. Praying for a safe return!
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As the daughter of an Army man, my family faced this separation too. My brother also served in the Air Force so we are well experienced in this emotional turmoil. It never got easier and all those years ago, we didn’t have the technology to stay in touch the way they can today. Yet even that doesn’t make separation easier. I am so thankful for the emotion, fear, and pride you put into words. As much as I wish our service people were never put in harms way, that isn’t an option, so I will continue praying for God’s protection over each service member and their family. I will also pray for wisdom for President Trump and his advisors. God sped these brave souls, allow their mission to be successful without any losses and may they return home safe and sound and this world be a safer place because of God’s intervention.
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I absolutely love this. You have summed up what I feel when I see pictures of soldiers and the American flag. I am thankful that we live in a country where we have the choice to follow our dreams and choose what we want to believe. God bless….😍🇺🇸♥️
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Katie – you’ve taken something so complex and simplified it in a way that makes those who read it lean forward in their seats and say “YES!” It is 100% ok to fully support our troops while not necessarily agreeing with every single nuance of current politics. I stand with our military and I am grateful that they GO for my family and for yours. I love you! God Bless America!
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Oh Katie. Thank you for these beaurtful and corageous words. All I can say is “been there, done that” watched him go and waited – 6ix months, one year; many weeks at atime. But the blessed thing for me was he always came home. I pray every day for those who waited and watched and then suffered the loss – so tragically. Love you Katie and pray for you, Ben and the kids every day.
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! May God continue to bless America and it’s troops wherever they might be on this Earth He made.
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Katie, this is a great read and frames what Americas and patriotism are all about. In this story I’m reminded of two things my father shared with me concerning his thoughts of war. Both somewhat shocking, but spoken from experience. First, “Ultimately wars don’t really work, but sometimes there are people that need to be killed.” So WE GO. Second, he told me when I was of age to serve, ” If you are called you will have to go, but be sure I’ve killed enough people for both of us.” I’ve never forgotten these words, they helped me see the reality of war. Those that serve have a unique experience that most of us can’t imagine, but they share their stories and still WE GO. I’m so sorry we have to GO, so proud of those that do GO. “Peace through strength”
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Thank you Doug. I know your dad and my husband are of the same mind and heart – I love him just knowing that about him and am eternally grateful for his service and yours. I hope you will share this if it’s touched your heart and made you feel such pride for our troops. Thank you for reading and God bless.
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This is beautiful! You are spot on. I am so thankful for those who have gone before and for those serving now so that I can be free. Not only those in our military but their family. They serve too. Just in a different way. God bless America! 🇺🇸
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Katie you are a gift to us. Giving us your words that flow so beautifully. This is the best truth I’ve ever read. I have experience these same feelings for I am a spouse of a retiree who deployed many times. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Paige thank you for reading. I hope if it resonated deeply with you, if you feel that it would for others, that you’ll pass it along. Thank you and your husband for your service. Those who know, know. God bless 🇺🇸❤️
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My mother watched my father leave for WWII, Korea and Vietnam and her anguish is chiseled in the worry lines of her beautiful face. Three wars later, he spent the rest of his life struggling with nightmares and the Physcial and emotional pain. He remained a man of honor and integrity, till the end, refusing to wallow in the past and making a good life for his wife and daughters. But he was forever changed by what he saw and endured and supported me when I protested the Vietnam war, which he felt was a black mark on America after seeing it all first hand. Till his death at 81, crippled by numerous ailments, he would stand in front of his big lounge chair at attention when the national anthem played or was sung. My country, right or wrong he would say and yet he prayed none of his grandchildren would ever have to go to war. The few sacrifice for the many and we should never forget that.
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Beautifully said!
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I’m proud to be an American and I support our troops and the great USA! A huge thanks to the many men and women who are protecting our great way of life here in America. Be brave, strong and safe and know millions of Americans are very proud of you all you do to keep our country safe, here and abroad. You all will be surrounded by tons of prayers. God Bless! 🙏🇺🇸
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Well written. I am crying as I am writing this. I’ve been here. I’ve been on the other side of the fence while my service member walked away from me and our baby toward the aircraft that was taking them to a desert war. I know the difficulties of those separations and the pain of hearing from the news media what is taking place on their side of the world but not knowing how it is directly affecting them. I have had to make decisions on my own while they were away – decisions that I had always thought we would make together as a family.
I look at this picture. I see these men and women walk towards their aircraft and I imagine the families standing behind the fences watching as they head out and the feelings they have. I think about the multitude of emotions and feelings these men and women service members are feeling as they take this walk. My heart aches for them. I am proud of their commitments to the call. I am thankful for their willingness. Thank you for writing this blog, Katie. Thank you for the awareness you bring to others about this. I am proud to be an American. Proud to be a veteran. Proud to have been a military spouse. All despite the challenges and pain it brought. Be safe. I pray for you and your families. Thank you.
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Well said Katie❤️
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While reading your post, I’m filled with a range of emotions. Members of my family, past and present, have and still are apart of the armed forces. Throughout this post, there are sincere feelings of support and camaraderie for troops being deployed, as well as their families. There is also a sense of determined and unquenchable stance for this country and the well being of it’s citizens.
It is my prayer that these feelings being expressed throughout the post, become a lifestyle of thinking toward everyone living on American soil, or our soldiers will be sacrificing their lives for nothing. Feelings are fleeting, but a determined lifestyle of respect for each person living on American soil is everlasting, and it honors the men and women from various backgrounds that fight to protect us.
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Thank you so much for writing so eloquently what those of us who are a part of that Volunteer military family feel! Amen and Thank You!
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My son is one of those men, but most important he is a husband and father. My grandson said Daddy went on a work trip in a airplane. That’s how he understands his brother just knows daddy is gone he just celebrated his 2nd birthday. What you wrote is beautiful and well said thank you!
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Thank you for sharing, I too have tears running down my face! I wish I would have served! My father served in the Army in the 40s and my son is in the Air Force in Okinawa, Japan! My daughter applies for the Air Force Academy this year! God Speed!
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I am so grateful for all the men and woman that have and are currently serving. Many have been pushed to the waste side. It takes times like these they many finally realize all that they have sacrificed for all. I am a Mom of two currently serving and could not be more proud. God Bless them all. ❤❤
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i served at fort bragg with the 107th finance in support of the 82nd in 1975. i am praying for all theses brave soldiers and i applaud our president for his decisive action against terrorism. i am a proud american and god bless the united states of america
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Perfectly written, perfectly stated! You stir emotions felt deep within from all the years I’ve lived and been blessed by our country. My ancestors gifted me America by coming here four generations ago so that I might be born here, and our service men and women insure that longtime gift can be gifted to other generations. Your insights are amazing and beautiful. I pray for our troops and our country and it is my hope that people realize the sacrifice our troops and their families make (for yes, it is also the families who sacrifice, pay the many prices of hardships while their loved one is away, take care of the home front et al.) It can’t be easy to leave loved ones behind and face the unknown, and our troops deserve all our respect. I love what you closed with, it is so very true and I thank you for your wisdom! “THEY. GO. For us. For all of us. That kind of love and conviction should be celebrated & emulated. It should UNITE us. It should inspire us to make THEIR AMERICA a better place.” I believe we should all strive to make America a better place with integrity, honesty, charity, kindness and pride in all we do to gift the greatest country to future generations! Be bless and stay safe. God Bless America!
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I was an Army spouse for 21yrs, deployed as a GS Civilian 3 deployments each a year and each of my three daughters are married to men that have served or are current active duty. Your words ring true from all three sides. Thank you for sharing.
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Very well said. Thank you. As a retired USAF veteran reading your inspiring words makes me swell with pride. We are fortunate to live in the greatest nation on earth. I pray that the good lord above will protect all of our brave men and women that have stood up and swore an oath to defend this great nation. And I also pray that the world will some day be truly at peace.
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Beautiful. From a Navy dad who had two deployed to the 5th Fleet in 2018/2019 on different ships.
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These sacrifices should be honored and appreciated every day. Their actions enable us to enjoy the freedoms and privileges we have here in America. God bless all of them and their families!
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Thank you for what you have written. My husband and I are both retired Army and your words hit home. If you meant to bring tears to my eyes, mission accomplished! May God watch over them all & keep them safe. AATW!
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Beautifully expressed! Yes, THEY GO for YOU & ME! I pray that Americans everywhere will live with gratitude for every, single soldier that is called to go! Whether or not we agree with decisions made by our President, EVERY ONE OF US OWE RESPECT AND GRATITUDE TO THOSE CALLED TO GO. Thank you, for sharing your convictions with such love and understanding, Katie!
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As I read this article tears come to my eyes because I remember sending off my oldest son not once but three times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. I prayed constantly for God to keep him and all service member’s safe and return him and all of them to their families. The sad part is a lot of them came home with injuries and severe PTSD from all they saw over there. I was fortunate to meet a lot of these heroes because I worked for the VA and all I could do was tell them thank you for serving. I have never stopped praying and I will continue to do so. To all the families left behind I will pray for them also because their jobs keeping the home fires burning is just as tough. Please dear God watch over all our military men and women and keep them safe and return them home to their families.
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Thank you for this! My daughter is there since June. I am really scared and appreciate the respect that so many have for out soldiers!
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Beautiful and well said Katie, as a mother of two sons that served their country in peace and at war, I know the sacrifices my sons made and also the loneliness and sacrifices their spouses and children made but supported and stood proud for their loved one.
As their mother I prayed for their safe return and missed them dearly but also was a very proud mom for what they were doing and supported their decision to join right out of high school.
I pray for the men and women that are serving our country today in deployment be safe and be proud …. good job I say and GOD BLESS AMERICA our home sweet home!
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God wrap these brave men and women in your love and presence. We pray for them and their families for grace, peace, comfort and for your protection in Jesus name we pray with Thanksgiving. Thank you for their sacrifice and love for our country and for their families and for all of us.
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I do love what you said. It is truth. Believe it or not I served with many of our Nation’s allies that have this same selfless service and commitment to their country and ours. This is not just America. Our world is blessed with many brave and humble souls.
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I proudly served during Viet Nam. I am very grateful for those serving today to protect our freedoms and strive for peace for all. May God be with and protect the troops and their families and return them safely to the Land they love. God speed Troops!
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Your words are beautiful and I appreciate them more than you know. You see, my daughter leaves in a week to go in to the Army and while I’m filled with so much pride for her choice my heart is in a million pieces watching all of this go on. I can not imagine how the families of these deployed soldiers feel and how they deal with their loved ones being in harms way everyday! I have such a deep respect for everyone of these service members and their families. I always have but now it hits just a little closer to my heart. May God bless and keep them all safe! 🇺🇸❤️🙏🏻
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I had to scroll such a long way to post a response…amazing!! I am one proud American and thanking God for each and every one of those brave souls securing that privilege for me! God speed dear friends!!
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Katie, your words for this moment in time are spot on! Us military wives know this feeling all too well, but it’s hard to explain to the civilians that have never been through the moment of watching your soldier walking away to the unknown. Your words make it possible for the rest of America to feel a small amount of the sadness, worry, and pride we feel. Thank you for sharing your heart and thoughts!
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You put into words what so many can’t explain. When I see the pictures, it feels like just yesterday it was me walking to the plane. Bless these selfless souls, oh Lord.
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Thank you. This is a beautiful tribute for all these courageous men and women. God bless them and keep them safe. And God Bless America.
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This Marine-and-Air Force mom gets it. Thank you for expressing it so loquently 💕🇺🇸
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Hi Katie – it’s my first time visiting your site. I’ve read your post at least 3 times and shared with all of my friends and family.
So H E A R T F E L T!! My son is stationed in Colorado, literally 12 days from his active duty ending, and their base in on 24-hour call. No matter what happens, even as I may shed a tear if he is called to GO this time…..my hear overflows with love and pride. So proud of all of our military men, women and families. It’s truly sad that we have to remind our fellow Americans that they should be grateful and show respect to those that fight for our freedom and blessed way of life. Thank you so much for your beautiful sentiment!
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So well written. As the spouse, i remember dropping my husband off at the air wing for flight deployments and at the docks for ship deployments. I also remember life as the single mom sitting his safe return and that of my deployed neighbors. My pride flows freely when i see these pictures as i pray fir their safety. So much sacrifice from those who deploy …and their support on the home front! God speed their safe return!
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Our 💕 Love and PRAYERS for each of you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Please stay safe and we hope you return to your homes and families soon.
Thank you so much!!
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Bless you for ringing the bell we all have in us but needed to hear! I love America, our President and all the military that fight to keep it free! I’m sharing your wonderful words with as many as possible! I know others will do the same. Thank you for ringing! 🇺🇸💕
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Thank you for recognizing the American service men and women. While we all have “bad” days; this puts “bad” days in perspective. It is their job(sacrificing their own life) to protect us to freely live our lives. With the most gratitude-NJ
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Katie, thank you for offering such honest, profound, and thoughtful perspective. I, for one, would gladly go back again and again, not for wonderful people like you to write such sweet words for those of us that deploy, but because YOU – ARE – WORTH – IT! Thank you so much! ❤️
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How beautifully written! Thank you and Rob for your service and thank you for writing this. I am always filled with pride and gratitude when I see the photos of our brave men and women. You summarized the feelings so eloquently and so accurately. Love you!
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Thank you Cindy ❤️
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I cried as I read this. Such beautiful and so true words. I am married to a Vet (0ur 50 Years is coming up in May). Because of his military Brothers and Sisters I pray for them and their bravery to protect all of us Americans.l God Bless all of you.
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As a mother of one of these brave souls, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am proud and fortunate to have raised a child that would stand up for this country but I am also so very scared. I appreciate you writing this and hope that it will be shared widely. I hope it will make others think a little harder before opposing something that they don’t have the courage to do and rather put their time and energy into doing something positive for others, like these brave men and women. Thank you, Proud Army Mom
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Very well written! Best thing I’ve read thus far! ❤️
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