Today’s theme is: Memory.
My memory I chose is of my husband, Bobby’s, 8 years of service in the US Army. These years made up a large portion of our lives, and even though we had many hardships while serving, his years in the Military brought us to where we are today.
Bobby left for the Army in November 1997, when our son Christopher was just 16 days old. He saw him again 1 months later for Christmas (when this picture was taken) and then not again until our son was nearly 6 months old.
In 2002-2004 Bobby spent two years overseas; one year in S. Korea (near the N. Korea border) and then 2 weeks after we were reunited in Colorado, he left for a year in Iraq. This picture was taken during his R&R from Iraq, notice how underweight he is?
This picture was taken on my birthday, on March 17th, 2004; the day Bobby returned from Iraq. Even though he got home at 11:45pm, those 15 minutes he was home on my birthday was the best birthday gift ever. Sorry the quality is so poor, my old camera did not do well in the dark.
This picture was taken 6 months after he came home from Iraq, while he was in Texas for training. The funny thing about this picture is that he made Sargent right before he left for Iraq, but he did not get the required training until 18 months after he was pinned. This training is supposed to take place before the soldier is pinned; but because of the urgent need to get our troops overseas, he made his rank before the training.
Finally, this picture was taken less than a month after he left the Army, he injured his shoulder in Iraq and after 2 failed surgeries he left the Army on a medical discharge.
I would not change those 8 years for anything. It made our marriage strong, our family close and got him the career he has today. There is nothing like difficult times to strengthen the bond of a family and to remind us how precious the time we have together truly is.
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33 Comments, Comment or Ping
I’m sure at times these memories were difficult, but as you said it got you to where you are today.
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January 6th, 2007
I for one appreciate your husband’s service to our country. Thank him and thank you for the sacrifices made. My daughter is in the militarty. It isn’t easy.
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January 6th, 2007
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story of your life together.
Your photos are beautiful!
Happy Saturday!
Mine’s up too!
L
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January 6th, 2007
Wow….your hubby (AND YOU) are my heroes! I can’t stress everything that I feel deep inside for military as I come from a military family. Serving our country is nothing but PRIDE. Tho, there are hardships and scary moments both in family left at home and serving….but to live free and go out when we want…do things that we all take for granted, it’s just beyond words how appreciative I am.
My memory is shared
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January 6th, 2007
Yes, memories, even tough ones make you what you are today. Great for the Saturday theme, too.h
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January 6th, 2007
That’s a hard way to live, but please give him my thanks for his service to our country.. and thanks to you as well! Thanks for dropping by
(Have you ever thought about turning off your word verification?? Smile.)
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January 7th, 2007
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful pictures. Please thank your husband for us for all of his hard work and dedication and thank you for loaning him to us. We really do appreciate it. Thank God he is home and safe.
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January 7th, 2007
I have to say of all the pictures he looks the most relaxed in the last one! Wonderful tribute to your husband and a great way to think on and cherish your memories. Thanks for stopping by today!
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January 7th, 2007
What a wonderful story. I was married to a a Marine who served in Desert Storm back in ’91 so I have some idea as to what all you’ve been through.
You asked about what camera I use- it is a Canon Digital Rebel XT with various lenses- 18-55 mm, 300mm zoom and 100mm macro. Thanks for your compliment!
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January 7th, 2007
Wonderful pictures for the theme. And above all else, thank you and your husband for your brave service for our freedom. It isn’t just the soldier who sacrifices, it is also the family. It is much appreciated.
Thanks for the visit.
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January 7th, 2007
What great photos of memories! It’s tough to hold a marriage together even when he was never in the service…so congrats to you for doing just that! I’ve been married to my best friend for 35 years, the best 35 years of my life! Thanks for visiting my blog today sweetie!
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January 7th, 2007
Great Picutures and memory! Thanks for sharing!
I will Exercise for Comments!
Sunflower
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January 7th, 2007
Well… I’ll add your hubby to my HERO list! (along with my daughter, my brother, my dad, and my grandad!) I can’t offer enough appreciation and thanks to these BRAVE and committed people! And you spouses get plenty of appreciation too! I know my sister-in-law went through hell and back during some of my brother’s deployments! My daughter served in S. Korea too — and she spent time up by the DMZ… but only 2 months. The rest of her time was spent just south of Seoul I think. She LOVED Korea though – she got involved with an orphanage over there and did a lot of volunteer work – and she travelled when she got the chance … not too often! Then she went to Egypt for 6 months. She liked that too. She was a medic and got a LOT of experience through the Army… what did your husband do? And what does he do now?
OH! I wanted to thank you for the idea of using CANNED air to dust my shadowbox! What a GREAT idea!!! I’m going to get some tomorrow!
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January 7th, 2007
Wow thanks for sharing your story. There must have been lots of memories of sadness and worrying during all those years of service, but I’m glad you have your happy ending! Cheers to you and your husband
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January 7th, 2007
That is so awesome! And yes it does make your bond stronger. My youngest daughter will be leaving for Iraq in July. She is a SGT. too, in the 804th Regimental Command and is a Microwave Systems operator. God bless you and your family. You have every reason to be proud of him.
Thank you for stopping by.
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January 7th, 2007
what a great story…through all the memories…you remained strong and thanks for sharing
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January 7th, 2007
These are memories that are really hard to forget. It has been tough for your hubby and also for you as well. I admire your strength.
Thanks for passing by.
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January 7th, 2007
Wonderful memories. My husband is living in Australia at the moment while I work in Hong Kong. I hate being apart from him, but I know in the long run, we will be together….but being apart is so tough at times.
Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog!
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January 7th, 2007
Good post for this weeks hunt. Your husband should be commended just for serving our country. I’m glad things are working well for all your family. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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January 7th, 2007
Wow what a great memory. Am so glad you two are together now. I have a close friend who’s husband is in the military and it is not easy to be away from your family. Thanks for sharing and stopping by.
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January 7th, 2007
it must be hard to be married to an army… and i’m just glad that it worked out for you and your family!
i admire people in the army, it must be hard for them to leave their family behind and risk their life for their country.
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January 7th, 2007
Thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures and thank you also to both you and your husband for the dedication to our country. No military wife should ever go unrecognized for her service to the country also!
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January 7th, 2007
Those are wonderful photographs and memories. Thank you for sharing and for viewing my photo.
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January 7th, 2007
Many thanks to you and your husband for giving so much for our freedom. Wonderful pictures. Glad he’s home and safe.
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January 7th, 2007
Wonderful photos – thanks for sharing those memories with us. My husband is an army officer in the Canadian Forces, so I know what military life is like, and how hard it is to be separated during deployments. You are so right though – for us, and for many others, the separations only made our relationship stronger, and emphasized how important it is to enjoy our time together.
Thank your husband for his service.
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January 7th, 2007
Lovely pics of you DH – you can tell the love & proudness you have for him in your words – thanks for sharing these pics.
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January 7th, 2007
Tough memories… Good thing you all survived – in all ways!
Thanks for stopping by
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January 7th, 2007
wow – definitely memories. I bet you are glad you have him back home now. What changes! =)
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January 7th, 2007
Wow. Very moving, my friend. How sweet. (When I first got here and saw my name up top, I thought, “did I comment already?” LOL.)
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January 7th, 2007
Really good photos for the theme. Tell your hubby THANKS! from me. And thank you for visiting my blog.
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January 7th, 2007
What a great set of pictures and memories to go with them. Perfect choice for the hunt this week!
Thank you to your husband and your family for his service to our country. We are grateful.
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January 7th, 2007
Great choice for today’s theme, and thanks to both of you for your service to our country!
Thanks for visiting!
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January 8th, 2007
Your husband is awesome for serving our country w/ such dedication and kudos to you for supporting him through that – I can imagine it was hard for you both!!
Thanks for visiting me, sorry for the late visit!
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January 9th, 2007
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