Special Release: An Editiorial I wrote about my soldier husband, "What it means to be a soldier"

Star-Tribune, Chatham, VA, August 7, 2013, p.5A

This editorial piece was inspired by a photo my husband took while deployed to Afghanistan.

Editor’s Note: The following editorial was written by Cassie Scearce, who husband, John, is in the US Army in Afghanistan. The Scearce’s have three children and live in Dry Fork.

Most Americans truly don’t know what it means to love America and be a soldier. Everyone gets up every day never truly appreciating the breath they take or those who work to make that breath a possibility. In this day and age, everything is taken for granted. Yes, people thank soldiers on certain holidays, but their job is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year kind of job. Most people go through life wondering how they are going to buy the most expensive gadget or are budgeting just to get the bills paid.

Soldiers and their families also deal with this everyday occurrence. They also pick up and leave their lives to move wherever it is they are needed. Often times they have families that move with them. Moving several times over the enlisted years can be difficult. Getting to know new people that will be part of the defense for America and the ones watching your “six” can be grueling.

Spouses and children have to pick up and leave everything to follow their loved ones. They start off in new homes, learning new places, starting new schools, and making new friends. Don’t forget that their families and the soldier’s themselves have to worry this might be the last time they will leave. They wonder if they will make it back.

The most difficult part for a soldier and their family is the separation. My husband is an infantry soldier. He has been in the military for a little more than five years and is currently working on his third deployment. Soldiers aren’t home for birthdays, anniversaries, or regular holidays most of the time. He has been to Iraq twice and is now in Afghanistan.

Just this deployment, an anniversary has been missed and his second child’s birthday. The youngest child’s birthday is the next to be missed. And what about the children that don’t get to live with their soldier. So they won’t be able to spend the time with their parent before they ship off. Soldiers take these holidays hard since they are not home to celebrate or hold their loved ones during these milestones.

And the families take to heart the absence of their husband, father, wife, mother, son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter. I pray every day for the safe return of my husband and all soldiers who fight every day. My husband doesn’t take his life for granted. He works hard every day to make a good life for our family. When in the States, he goes to work every day training and making sure that he knows his job to the best of his ability.

He loves his wife and children with every breath breathed into his body. He does this so that we can raise our family to be stable and strong. And when overseas, he doesn’t promise nothing will happen; he promises he will do his best to be safe. I worry about my husband every day, but the kids can’t know. They have to think he is invincible. I have told him not to make me a liar.

Soldiers don’t know if they will make it home; they just do their best to make sure that happens. Even with all the worry and absence, my husband loves his job, family, and country. This picture was taken by a fellow soldier and it couldn’t be more awe inspiring. It takes my breath away and makes me beyond proud to share this picture and this story with you.

Love your freedom and appreciate how you come about it because it is paid for in sweat, blood, tears and absence from family. Until next time, say a prayer for soldiers….