Pregnancy is a wonderful, albeit stressful, time for any woman. Compounded with the possibility, or reality, of a spouse on deployment only intensifies the experience. That’s where a strong and supportive community can make a tremendous difference.
While in San Diego for the MOAA Symposium, I was invited to attend a baby shower honoring local military spouses who are mothers-to-be or had recently given birth.
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, 50 Spouses from across Southern California gathered for food, fellowship, and fun. At the end of the day they left with big beautiful baskets of gifts, an extensive stack of resource information, and perhaps a new friend or two.
It takes a supportive community to make such an event happen and I would like you to meet the quiet, unsung heroes that make a difference in the lives of military families.
Meet Reyna.
Reyna was the event organizer. A Marine spouse of 27 years, Reyna knows firsthand the importance of a supportive community having experienced 15 deployments. In response to the need for more military support in the community, she founded a local military ministry group at her church.
Meet Anita.
Anita was at the shower representing Soldier’s Angels. Soldiers Angels donated all the wonderful laundry baskets overflowing with baby gifts.
Melissa, a Navy veteran and Marine spouse, and Anita
Anita has no personal connection to the military, yet she tends to these mom’s- to-be as if they were her own children. She dedicates a tremendous amount of time to Soldier’s Angels in attending baby showers and homecomings. She can be found once at month at the naval hospital where she joins our wounded warriors for a meal which she helped prepare.
Meet Judy.
Judy, founder of Supporting our Soldiers
Judy, founder of Supporting Our Soldiers, was responsible for all the “Hero Baby” buckets–all made by hand, and paid for it all out of her own pocket. With no personal connection to the military Judy wants to give back to those that give so much. The personal, heartfelt note she included with each bucket moved many of the young moms to tears.
A heartfelt note of thanks moves a mom-to-be to tears
Meet Janis.
Janis has been a volunteer with Soldier’s Angels for six months. She drove almost two hours to lend support at the Baby Shower. Like Anita and Judy, she has no personal connection to the military. She, too, wants to give back to a community that has sacrificed so much while raising awareness in the civilian community.
Amazing women quietly serving our military community.
Melissa, one of the mom’s to be, and a Marine spouse and Navy Veteran, said it best, “You are truly angels.”
Unsung heroes, supporting our community.
From this Marine Spouse, I offer a heartfelt thank-you for honoring, supporting, and caring for our military community.
