"We Will Never Forget"

September 11, 2001. The world was forever changed.

With the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaching, media and message boards everywhere have been booming with tributes, updates on the loved ones left behind, and people talking about where they were when it happened.

I remember where I was when the news broke. I had just left my Geology class at Armstrong University and walked to my advisor's office. As I was standing in the doorway, I saw the news footage of the smoldering towers and watched in horror as they fell. I went home and turned on the news. My husband called and told me he didn't know when he would be home, that all hell had broken loose and we were under attack. He couldn't talk for long, and I was terrified to let him hang up. We will never forget.

Being a military wife is a great honor and often a source of great worry. There are dangers that my husband faces to ensure the safety of others. Many people are VERY misinformed about the Coast Guard and their duties, believing they are not a part of the military, they do not deploy, they do not go overseas, they are not in any real danger... well, if you believe any of that you would be very mistaken.

The Coast Guard does deploy, the duration depends on the unit and mission. Where they deploy depends on the same. My husband flies Search and Rescue, and yes, he has deployed. I worry even when he is not deployed though. When he flies there are still inherent dangers and even a routine flight can end in devastation without warning. We have seen it happen all to often in recent years, and the Coast Guard family has been greatly mourning the loss of many brothers and sisters. We will never forget.

My husband works very hard for our family and for our country. We are extremely proud of him! He is a well-decorated Guardian. Jason has helped to save many lives throughout this military career. Never was this more crucial than during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For his hard work and heroic efforts, Jason was awarded a medal. He also appeared on the CBS Morning Show with a few of his fellow crew members. He has received many awards and meritorious citations during his time in service and was also awarded Enlisted Person of the Quarter last year. As I said, we couldn't be more proud! We often go days at a time without seeing him, as duty calls. When he is deployed, it is much longer. His sacrifice, and our family's sacrifice, is for the benefit of others. It's an important mission. We will never forget.

The Coast Guard, what do they do? Think about it. Coast Guard. They Guard our Coasts, ports, and harbors from all kinds of dangers such as drug smuggling, migrant interdiction, terrorist attacks, illegal fishing activity, and much more. In addition, they also provide life-saving search and rescue services. If you're interested, you can read more here: USCG Missions

I can't help but think of all the servicemen and women who have given their LIVES for us. I support our troops 110% but I DO NOT support this war. Too many of our men and women have died, and for what cause? We MUST NEVER forget! My father is a Vietnam Veteran, my middle brother has served overseas during wartime in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and they both just returned from work in Iraq. We have all been lucky, but unfortunately many others have not. We will never forget.

As the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks nears, I continue to pray for the families affected, for our nation, for the world. I am not naive enough to think we will ever achieve world peace, but I will still pray for it. I don't think it's impossible, however I do believe it's highly unlikely. I don't think anything is impossible through the power of prayer. Our God is amazing, and I have seen it with my own eyes, witnessed it happen in my own life. I KNOW what He can do. He has a plan for us, even though we don't understand it, we may not agree with it, and we often try to change it. God has it under control. God is in charge... and I will never forget!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
-Jeremiah 29: 11- 13