The American Soldier

Some people think that the life of a soldier is easy. They say "a soldier gets free education, benefits, gets to travel and see different places and has a steady paycheck". The truth is soldiers have one of the hardest jobs possible. They are sent to different places away from their loved ones and friends, sometimes for days, weeks, months or sometimes up to a year or more away. They get sent to defend our freedom, have to deal with extreme temperatures, sometimes with no rest, dodging bullets and constantly wondering if today will be their last. They miss precious family moments such as a child being born, the child's first words or first steps. They have to live with the fear of wondering what happens to their family if they are no longer around to care for them in the future.

Yes, they may get intense training, education, benefits, the chance to travel to different places and a steady paycheck, but in reality the American soldier is underpaid and underappreciated. The time spent away could never be replaced in the form of a dollar amount. They are one of the few people in life willing to risk their lives in order for you to keep yours. The next time you see a soldier think about thanking them for the job they do, or tell them you appreciate them. As a fiancé of a soldier, I understand first hand the day in and day out stress of the job they have. The missed holidays, birthdays, memories, but at the end of the day, us loved ones left on the home front are thankful for every holiday, birthday or memory they are there for. We learn to hold on to the wonderful times so that in the times they spend away from us, we can look back smile and remember that no matter what, they love us and can't wait to get home to us. The soldier becomes your life, the one constantly on your mind, in your prayers and held dearly in your heart. You learn to cherish the sound of their voice, the feel of their hand in yours, and the touch of their lips in a gentle kiss. Those are the moments you hold on to while they are away.

When a soldier is away, the family left on the home front, has to deal with all the little everyday things that normally are dealt with by two people and not one. The bill's having to get paid on time, the everyday chores and running around, the children acting up. Any little detail can take on such a bigger concept when the soldier is away, yet the love that we have for our soldier is so great that those details get taken care of, and once the soldier is home, he has the time to reconnect with his loved ones and enjoy his time home. Next time someone says that a soldier's life is easy, remember all the memories they are missing while they are defending your right to capture all the memories you have with your loved ones!