I was at small military post in md last week - I was supposed to go to the commissary, but I was running low on time and of course it was lunchtime for my preschooler. I always feel like an outsider when I go on post, like because my husband is National Guard and not regular Army, I shouldn't be there, and even worse, because i'm not the most GUNG HO military wife, I have the neon scarlet letter on my chest (L) - It's almost as though I'm creeping in, so no one will see me- Like because I don't support the war, but still taking advantage of what few benefits the military offers, like I'm some sort of Benedict Arnold -
Anyway, as I walk into the PX/Burger King, feeling guilty enough that I'm feeding my son fast food, I take out my earrings - I have one in that is the earth and another that is a peace sign. What hangs from my earlobes can be interpreted as either World Peace or Peace on Earth.
My son asked me why I was doing that - he's used to seeing Mommy's World Peace earrings in, and wondered why I would take them out.
As I payed for his Happy Meal (or whatever Burger King calls their kid meals) pushing the apple sauce instead of fries, and chocolate milk instead of pop, I clutched my earrings tightly in my hand and wondered why I didn't want to offend anyone in the Burger King. I wear those earrings all the time, taking them out only when I shower, or lately when I attend Military events. They are a quiet, steady statement of how I feel. They are not loud, they do not scream my views, they sort've whisper it.
I am not ashamed of my views and as I was walking out, I put my earrings back in. I told my son I liked him for who he was and that I was proud of him. Even though I know he had no clue what I was getting at, he looked at me, very closely and said "I like your earrings mommy."
I do too.
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3 comments:
WEAR THEM! I have Liberal Bumper Stickers on my car, right next to the "1/2 my heart is in Iraq". You will be happily surprised how many more there are of "us". Honest!!! If the FRG gets too rah rah, look around, you'll find others feeling uncomfortable. A bunch of us made a new group, and even though not all of us are raging Liberals, we find enough in common, to hold together and be there for each other. The rest of them... ah well, freedom of speech, remember?
As for the Shrub, and Deferment Deadeye Dickhead.... please, it's too close to dinner.. seeeeee, a diet Aid!!
Hang in there, you'll find more like you out there.
LAW
You have got to be you! Don't let the military life dictate to you - just do your thing.
And don't think that those of us who are regular active duty spouses are drinking the Kool-aid, either. There are a lot of liberals in the military, service members included.
Hang in there.
Hey, I'm a National Guard wife too, and I have not shut up. I speak to the press, speak at peace rallies, speak to community groups and politicians. I think that it's really important for people to know that there are people like us - military and totally against this war. There have been absolutely no repercussions for my husband, who totally supports what I do. (Other than most of the other FRG wives disliking me, and that's because of my politics, not my big mouth.) We're lucky in a couple ways - we live in a pretty liberal state, and my husband does not plan to stay in the Guard. I'm not telling you what to do, just know that it's not impossible. And I really think that our voices are very powerful.
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