The Silent Ranks

For several years now, in one of those few moments which are not meant to be humorous, I have sent a copy of The Soldier's Night Before Christmas as a serious piece intended to recognize those individuals serving in the military forces overseas and to provide general addresses to which letters could be sent to let these service personnel know that they are not forgotten and that they are appreciated. That particular posting can be found at the Good Clean Fun web site in the Seasonal Archive (see above link).

I encourage you to read that piece. The author has been provided and the words are just as important now as they were when it was sent in 1997 and 1998. There are general addresses for service personnel as well as their families.

This year, I would like to share the other side of the coin, specifically the spouses of those serving in the military. This poem was sent to me by a reader of Good Clean Fun (Thanks, Rachell). While the poem itself is directed to wives, it applies just as much to any husband of someone serving in the military. Let's not forget that the family who stays behind makes a sacrifice, too.

Note: I recently found out the identify of the author. This was written by Shiela Gault. She wrote it while her son, James, was serving in the US Army in Kosovo. Shiela's poem won the Editor's Choice award from the International Library of Poetry in 2000.

THE SILENT RANKS

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.

My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man.
and the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.

I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife.

--Shiela Gault

Comments, suggestions, flames, etc.
tellswor@slonet.org

Use the BACK button to return.

Or go to the Good Clean Fun Main Page
(Graphics Version) or (Text-Only Version)