Officially extended

The 172 Stryker Brigade from Ft Wainwright, Alaska has officially been extended. I don't know if many of you understand the heartbreak that this news has caused. Imagine your husband gone, in the line of duty, for 12 months. You are able to see him once in that year, for a short 2 week period. At last, the worst is over. You are finally at the year mark. He and you have "made it". He is safe and on his way home in just a few days. Your vacation together is planned. You are going to do so much: laugh, cry, see the world, visit family and friends, catch up, reconnect, watch your children sleep, make love. It is going to be wonderful!! You can finally start to relax…Wait! Plans are changing? You get news that he is being sent to an even more dangerous place and will be gone for another 4 months…Maybe more. You now have to continue being strong, for your family. But all you want is to wrap your arms around the man that makes it all worth while. You are done. You need a break. But there is no time for that. You have to pull it together, another four months!! You hope you can...YOU WILL!

This is just a small glimpse of the life the military families from the 172 Stryker Brigade. Even these words don’t truly express how much these people are sacrificing. How much they are going through. In a few weeks, most of America will forget about them. Their stories will be off of CNN and everyone will go back to work and enjoying their lattes.

I promise that I will not forget. I will remember every single day and I will pray every single day. I will continue to use my voice and fight this. Our troops are done. They are ready to come home. I ask you to remember. Remember what these families are going through everyday. Ask yourself if this is necessary. Let people, our President and Congress know how you feel. Don't just sit back and say, "That is terrible". Do something. Stand up for our soldiers. They deserve that much.