Author of Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork’s Helpers, started the phrase “I’m not the mom. I’m just the stork”. Surrogacy has opened many doors for me which led to a happier, more rewarding life. (Inactive as far as the Mormon part, still spiritual, open and respectful) My surrobabies were born in 2006 (girl), 2009 (twin boys) and 2014 (girl). I am a huge surrogacy advocate and creative entrepreneur. Hoping to match for one final journey.
I let you know last year how I feel about Veteran's Day. I believe that if you are a veteran and are now employed as a civilian, that you should get the day off with pay! My husband was kidding around yesterday saying how he should get today off or at least 1/2 a day. He was met with the response of "You're not a veteran. You didn't go to war." Or "You didn't retire, you weren't in for 20 years" ETC.
Woah, wait a minute. That's a bunch of HOO HA! My husband also received a text from his sister asking if he was a vet. Where was she when he was on deployment and the war 1st started?
Well, let's check the definition of a military veteran:
(taken from wikipedia)
The most common usage is for former armed services personnel. A veteran is one who has served in the armed forces, especially one who has served in combat. It is especially applied to those who served for an entire career, usually of 20 years or more, but may be applied for someone who has only served one tour of duty. A common misconception is that only those who have served in combat or those who have retired from active duty can be called military veterans.
Now, I don't mean to be rude. I know that not everyone is clear on the definition of a military veteran.
The proof is in the pictures, right?
Well this alone should be proof enough that my husband is a veteran:
Hello? That's a tatoo on a sailor. Not just any tattoo either. It's a tribal tattoo that he got while on deployment- in port at Perth, Austrailia. (his favorite port I might add) An Aborigine tatted him. Although John points out it was in a regular tattoo shop. I happen to love frogs and purple. Coincidence? :)
Ok enough silliness...
So, what do I have to say to those that would think my husband is not a veteran?
And then I decided to ask my husband a few questions and add some more thoughts:
Back to the pictures..
This is one of my favorite pictures. It was when John returned from his 1st deployment. (USS John Hancock March 1999) This is John holding/meeting his daughter Tristan for the 1st time. She was 3 months old. A stranger took this picture of our little family and then we were lucky enough that the picture made it's way to us. They were so sweet when they took the picture, they said we were just the cutest little Navy family.
Look at all those roses. They were all for me. How sweet!
Here are the pictures from the "famous" 10 month deployment. (USS Shiloh CCG 67 April 25,2003) These pictures were either in the newspaper or found on the internet. I don't know who to give credit to, but we're in them, so how about that?
Yeah we were kind of happy to see each other.
Is that not the sweetest thing you've ever seen? The way Jeremy is holding on to his daddy. That's John's mom off to the side holding little Tristan who has a balloon for a face. Darn it.
Peleliu Returns Home
Story Number: NNS070926-30
9/26/2007
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Brian Gaines, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Peleliu (LHA 5) returned to its homeport of San Diego following their four-month Pacific Partnership 2007 deployment Sept. 20.
Approximately 1,000 friends and family members turned out at pier 13 at Naval Station San Diego to welcome the Sailors and civilians returning from Southeast Asia and Oceania.
As the crowd neared the pier, members of the Navy Southwest Region Band played popular songs to add to the festivities.
“The Peleliu wanted to go all out, so we did,” said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Russ Paje, the coordinator for the homecoming event. “Everything is running smoothly, and that’s always good.
As the ship neared the pier, the crowd began cheering loudly. Applause and random comments about the ship’s stature, as well as how remarkable it is to see Sailors manning the rails, could be heard throughout the crowd.
“It’s truly exciting,” said the spouse of Peleliu Chaplain Lt. Kevin Nortin, who was one of approximately 12 spouses who were allowed onto the pier for the coveted "first kiss.” “It has been a long time coming,” she said.
For some Sailors, such as Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Mark Carlson, it was a special family reunion. Carlson’s parents and grandparents traveled from Nebraska to welcome him home.
“It is an exhilarating experience,” said Jo Anne Carlson, Carlson’s grandmother, of her first time witnessing a homecoming. “I’m so proud of him and all the Sailors on the ship.”
“It’s chilling, exciting and emotional,” said Linda Carlson, Carlson’s mother. “I’m glad everyone has come back safe.”
For the spouse of Damage Controlman 2nd Class John Reeder, the day was twice as special. In addition to seeing her husband for the first time in four months, the day also marked their 10-year wedding anniversary.
“I’m a little nervous, but excited at the same time,” she said, who was on hand with the couple’s two young daughters. “It’s always a flood of emotions when John returns.”
Throughout the deployment, Peleliu served as a platform for military and civilian personnel, who provided medical and dental care, as well as, education and preventative medicine to more than 31,600 people in the Philippines, Vietnam, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
I wish I had something profound to say on Veteran's Day. I will try my best. First I want to say that I think all veterans should get Veteran's Day off with double pay!
I am thankful to all military;, previous, current or future. For those that don't know, my husband is a veteran, disabled even. Not in a profound way, not because of war, but he is a disabled vet. I am grateful for all the benefits, services, etc. offered to veterans!
My husband was in the Navy for 10 years and 2 months. He went on 4 deployments. He missed our 2nd daughter's birth while on his 1st deployment. His ship (USS Shiloh) was one of the 1st ships out and back during this current on-going war. They were the 1st (or at least one of) to shoot off missiles. That deployment went from a 6 month to a record-breaking 10 month deployment. I got the call Christmas Eve I believe, that they were not headed home in January, they were going back, indefinitely. I know that the sailors are safer than the soldiers, but that was a hard time for me. I was constantly worrying and watching the news. It was a wonderful feeling to stand on the pier when his ship finally pulled back into port in San Diego. There were many news reporters and photographers there that day. We were surprised and thrilled to see a picture of my husband and son on the front page of the LA times (and in other newspapers) the next day. We later found many other pictures of them and even hubby and me in other newspapers and online. Very proud moments. 9 months later, Jessica was born. Probably one of the 1st post-war babies. Although the war was not over.
John lost one of his great captains on September 11th. Robort Dolan was the captain of his 1st ship, the USS John Hancock. He was working in the Pentagon on the 1st floor. That really hit home. I think a lot of our military know it could happen, but when you find yourself in a war and actually know people who have died in that war, it is far too real.
I am so proud of my husband and all he has done for our country and for our family. We started out as a young couple out of a high school with a baby. We did not have a lot of money, and really struggled. Because of the Navy, we have a house, we have 3 cars (they may not always run, but we have them), we have a better relationship. With each deployment, we became stronger and closer. We were able to reconnect and almost start over each time we saw each other after being separated. We appreciate each other more. It's made us both strong in ways we never imagined. We have memories to last a lifetime.
Thank you John and all of our other military!
P.S. I got a little teary-eyed remembering some of that. Those proud moments really stay with you. If you're a military spouse, parent, or child, you know what I mean!
Pictures include: John meeting Tristan for the 1st time. (she was 3 months old) He had just returned home from his 1st deployment. (USS John Hancock Mayport Florida) Someone took that picture of us. They said, "You are such a cute little Military family. Can we take your picture?" I am so thankful, because they captured that moment for us. I wasn't taking as many pictures back then for some reason. We were even lucky that they were able to find us later to give us the picture.
The other pictures are from the USS Shiloh out of San Diego. I believe the picture of John on the ship was probably on it's way in to port after the 10 month (war) deployment. The others are pictures we've found in newspapers and online of the day they returned.
