Category Archives: Military spouses

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 3 of 4)

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

What did you learn to eat that you didn’t eat before entering the military life?

Grits. I always eat them with our eggs to this day!

What habit did you learn in the mlitary and still do?

I learned to pack efficiently and in a hurry!

Any Friends do you remember? Do you still keep in touch?

Yes, I made many new friends. However, we did not keep in touch. My husband’s family welcomed me into their home and were are all very close.

Missing home–how did you cope?

I was never away from my home for long, we decided on a plan of making a new life after my husband’s service time, that I would keep my job and save up for a house.

How did military life change you for better? For worse?

Dancers in Hawaii from my time there.

I shall never forget when I lived in an apartment next to a group of marines. We were not married at this time. He lived on base. President Nixon had just closed Hanoi, North Vietnam ports. Those Marines cheered! I watched some tanks roll down the streets, and what people knew about this, lined the sides of the streets cheering. We all felt it in the air–that the war had a chance of finally ending. And it did, sadly, not to what Americans hoped for.

I never even knew at the time that Russia and China were using those Nam ports to arm the communist soldiers. I learned a lot in Hawaii about the Vietnam War and will never forget this. I think fake news really began its conception back in the 1970’s.

How do you think the military life affect your kids?

My children and grandchildren have learned from our experiences during the Nam era.

Would you advise your kids to join the military?

If they feel God prompting them to do so, I would not stand in their way. However, my grandchildren do not endorse President Biden, so I doubt this will happen.

Thank you, Catherine! Stay tuned for Part 4!

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 2 of 4)

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Tell us about Love in the Military

I met my husband flying from Los Angeles to Hawaii on vacation. He had visited his family in Birmingham Alabam, and was on his way back to the Main Island, as he called Oahu.

We got married while he was on active duty, at Our Lady of Sorrows church in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. My family came and we had a wonderful reception at the Polynesian Palace where Don Ho sang. From our balcony we had a lovely view of Diamond Head.

Tell us about Faith in the Military

When we met, I saw no way our marriage would work. After all, he was from Alabama, and I was from Michigan. It took a believing faith to think a marriage like ours would succeed. John 15:7 was my sustaining verse, “…if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you w ill be My disciples.” (NKJV)

After a year or so of letter writing and he spending his leaves with my family and I with his, some fifteen months later, we decided to get married on June, 1972. A thte time he had one year left in the service. I tel l about this faith-experience in depth in my published short story, and I shall explain more in depth in part 4 of these interviews. Through trials, tears, and our fifty years, God has been our Faithful Companion.

How do you think the military life affected your marriage?

It made us both aware of family more. And we cherished the time we spent together. We also became more conscience about current events and voting for Christian beliefs are a valuable commodity to American freedoms.

Thank you, Catherine! Stay tuned for part 3 of Catherine’s interview!

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 1 of 4)

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

What Branch of Service and When?

My husband, James was in the Navy for four years, as a Cryptologic Technician, E-3. He is retired now.

Where You Able to Have a Career While He Served

I was able to work as a Purchasing Agent while my husband served.

How Long Have You Been Married?

We have been married for 50 years. We were married for a year when my husband served in Naval Intelligence during the Vietnam era. During the last six months of his duty, he was stationed on the Ticonderoga and was involved in the historical event when the Apollo 15 astronauts David R. Scott, Alfred Wordeo, and James Irwin splashed down successfully after twelve days from their moon landing mission.

How Did You Deal with Fear/Stress of deployment?

My husband was well protected due to his naval status. He was not allowed to go to Nam during his four years.

During the Viet Nam era, everyone had a limited time of duty. Navy was four years; Army was two years. It was not like World War I and II when your service man had to stay in duty until the war’s end and my husband was not in a war zone.

Best Advice to Give a Young Spouse with Kids?

Write letters and send photos. Calls might not be possible but letters are the lifeblood of every serviceman as it is yours.

Best and/or Worst Thing About Being a Military Spouse and Why?

The lost time together. it is hard to plan for your future when part of you is deployed in another part of the world.

Where did You and Your Spouse Live Before He Joined the Service? Where Do You Live Now?

My husband was from Birmingham, Alabama and I was from Warren, Michigan. Now we live in Addison Twp., Michigan.

Were You Ever Stationed with Your Spouse During His Military Career?

I stayed with my husband for a couple of weeks first in Hawaii, and later, when we were married, in San Diego.

What Did You Do to Make Your New Quarters “Home?”

I brought throw rugs and lots of pictures ot make the apartment and our bungalow more “homey.”

What Traditions Did You Continue No Matter Where You Lived?

Going to church and enjoying date times.

Duty Stations: Best and Worst.

Our favorite place to live was San Diego. It was a little bungalow that was close to the beach. We had a Christian family which really made us feel at home.

Favorite Memory

When he was stationed in Hawaii I got to see many off-tourist sites. For instance, the place the Japanese flew over to bomb Pearl Harbor. There was a huge white cross erected in its place. I remember feeling like an ant staying next to that. I also watched many natives do impromptu dances. They were so talented! I could never sway my hips the way they can.

Thank you for sharing Catherine! Stay tuned for part 2 of 4 of this interview!

Conversation with a Vietnam Era Navy Wife – Catherine Brakefield

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Please forgive the audio on this video. Had a bit of a snafu on my trip back to Colorado from Texas. When I got my normal microphone out 45 minutes before the interview, I realized it was bumped up. Yep. It was not going to work. So, plan B was a lesser-quality microphone.

No worries if you don’t catch it all. We will be posting pictures and other questions in our blog very soon that Catherine so graciously shared with Susan and me.

As you can see we have Book 3 cover revealed. We can hardly wait for you to read Book 3 in the Rules of Engagement Series, a sweet military romance.

Hope you enjoy hearing how Catherine and her Navy husband became man and wife!

https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Allegiance-Military-Romance-Engagement/dp/1936501805

Joan’s story: Military Spouse

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

How was life as a Military Wife?

I did not have a career during my  husband’s  12 years of service because I was busy raising our children and we never knew when we would be transferred to another base.  People were hesitant to hire military spouses because of the expense of training and then we’d move on. 

Deployment was always in the back of our mind.  It was not a questions of if but when you would be separated and for how long.  Who would help us in time of need and where would we end up living because base housing was not available if the military person was gone. 

The best you could do for yourself was to plan ahead for the  “what do I do if’s”. Then when they happen you have an idea in mind and can proceed relatively smoothly. 

How was life when he was deployed?

When my husband was sent to Vietnam,  I moved from Pennsylvania back  to Wisconsin to be close to my family.  I got my own apartment and cared for my 2 kids.  He was gone for 1 year and I knew he was in constant danger.  He was good about sending a letter every week but at one point I didn’t hear anything for over 45 days.  That was the longest time in my life.  I contacted the Red Cross who located him to confirm he was alive but in an area that he could not get or send any mail. 

How was it when he would return?

When he came home we were sent to Fort Sam Houston Texas where we finally had some stability.  We bought our first home and stayed there for 12 years.  By then John had obtained the rank of Staff Sgt and was an instructor in the medical detachment.  At each place you live you try to make your quarters look like home but it never really happens because you don’t put a lot of money into decorations that you probably won’t be able to take to the next place.  The military would come in and pack your household belongings and ship them to the next location.  But they could take up to a month to arrive so you need help getting started again. 

What did you love or hate about being a military wife?

The hardest thing for me was making friends only to have to leave them behind.  But while you are together they become your family.  You celebrate holidays together and comfort each other through hard times.  It truly is a life you love or hate.  There is no middle ground.  You grow up in a hurry, find courage you didn’t know you had, and try to hold the family together.  You know that God is watching over you and that’s all you can really depend on.  It’s not a life for weaklings.

Thank you, Joan for sharing!

Interview with miltary wife – Bethany Jett

Video

Reply

Meet military wife, Bethany Jett, an example of a woman who is capable and able to live the military lifestyle while raising her boys. She proves you can have it all and be a Patriot. Being a military wife takes skills not taught in colleges… maybe they should be! lol

Because we know the military lifestyle and frequent moves take a toll on a spouses career. We wanted to introduce you to Bethany Jett. She manages to succeed doing a job she can pick up and move when necessary. It would be awesome if all careers were capable of doing the same. During and after Covid, many people have discovered their jobs are a bit more mobile and transferable than they ever imagined.

Watch the video to get to know Bethany who became a military wife when she married her college sweetheart and followed him through his stint in the Marines, as a youth pastor, and now in the Guard. She discusses the ways she and her Air Guard hubby stay connected.

Faith. Love. Military. All great topics in this interview.

To connect with Bethany the military wife, mom, and business woman go to her website at bethanyjett.com.

For more information, go to SeriousWriter.com to learn more.”The mission of Serious Writer is to build community, create networking opportunities, teach the most current industry information, and provide free and affordable instruction and training”.

Thank you Bethany for a fun interview and allowing our readers to get to know you!

To read more of the military members, military wives and husbands, Brats, Gold Star Families and Military parents visit our blog from the beginning at https://rulesofengagmentmilitaryromance.wordpress.com/2022/07/29/coming-soon/

We want to interview you. And continue highlighting our military members, spouses (military wives or husbands), Brats, Gold Star Families, and Military Parents. Send an email to info@deedeelake.com. We’d love an opportunity to spotlight you, your business or cause!

Korrina’s Story: Air Force Brat, Navy Wife

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Which branch of the service are you connected to, for what years, and how?

Dad was retired Air Force. He achieved the rank of SMSGT and served from 1955-1975 as a Crew Chief. He was deployed 3 times to Vietnam. He as near the DMZ but not in direct combat. His base was bombed. We came to Randolph AFB, Texas in 1970 and Dad retired here in 1974. He has since passed away.

My husband was in the Navy.

Brat and Spouse. I also have a nephew thar was in the Marines and
his brother who was in the Army and received a Purple Heart in
Afghanistan.

I’m a Brat from 1956 to 1947. Spouse from 2006 to current.

What was the best tour of duty location and why?

Prior to the Randolph area I loved being stationed at Clark AB.

I was a tween when we were stationed at Clark. Living off base at
Diamond Sub Division was fun as there were so many kids in my age
group. I loved the flowers!!

How do you answer the question “where are you from?”

I usually just say the I’m an AF Brat. If I’m out of state people assume
I’m from Texas as I’ve picked up the accent, lol.

Love in the Military

Mom and Dad got married when Dad got out of basic.

School in the Military

We lived off base at Randolph so I went to a local high school near the base, Judson High, Converse, TX 1974. I never lost my ID. I don’t remember all the other schools I attended. Two were military schools, on in Japan and one in Clark, PI.

I still have connections to many friends from that time.

How did your family cope when you missed your sponsor?

As a Daddy’s girl, I hated it when my dad went to Vietnam. We would always move back to Mom’s hometown. No military bases, all civilians. I was bullied and felt very alone on those occasions. And I hated the snow! We were always stationed in the tropics or the southern United States.

Most and Least Favorite Locations to live

Most was always SE Asia, Philippines, and Japan. Least favorite was Mom’s hometown in Indiana.

Advice for those families dealing with deployments and separations?

Stay close to a base where your children are comfortable. Don’t uproot their routine. When they area deployed, everything changes.

How do you answer the question: “Where are you from?”

I have lived 7-8 different places so I say, “I’m an Air Force Brat.” None of us take exception to being called Brats!

Where do you call home and why?

Texas.

As a Brat, home was just wherever we lived. As we moved I learned
that I do not like cold and snow and living in South Texas we rarely
get snow.

Thank you, Korrina, for sharing your story!

Karen’s Story: Navy Brat and Air Force Wife

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

How are you connected to the military, and when?

 I have a more complicated but life-long association with the US military Here’s an overview for you to start on:

I’ve been mainly associated with the Navy through family and my own time in the Naval Sea Cadets as a teen, I was also married to a member of the Air Force and Air Force Reserves. 

I’ve been associated with the military since birth to the present day.

My father was a career naval pilot. Beginning in 1955 in Norfolk VI which is where I was born (June 1957). He did flight training there and at the next assignment in Pensacola FL.

My sister was born on this assignment. After pilot training, Dad went on board a number of ships so the early years were mainly with my mom.

Where were you stationed?

We were stationed at a number of locations: Lemoore CA, Sunnyvale CA and Oak Harbor Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island. While we were there the Vietnam war was raging and my father was sent out with his squadron to Vietnam on board a ship. This was 1968 and shortly after arriving off the coast of Vietnam he was shot down (October 13th 1968) and never recovered. Ten years after he was shot down we had him declared dead and had a ceremony at Arlington VI with full honors and a military burial.

Best tour of duty?

Although I wasn’t stationed there my favorite location was Wiesbaden as I loved being able to visit so many European cities the year I was located in Germany.

Love and romance in the military? Tell us about it.

A number of years later (1978) a budding romance happened with an Air Force Cadet which I later married. After leaving the Academy he was in the Reserves for six years.

We had an opportunity to work with the German Government in my early 20’s (1981) and lived in Wiesbaden spending time at the Army base there shopping and seeing movies in English.

After returning to the US we started a company which became a DOD contractor supplying high-tech products to a number of branches of the military

Do you have any other family members in the military?

My brother has been a career Navy man since his early 20’s stationed at  Barbers Point HI, Philippines, Japan, Lemoore CA, San Diego CA and a number of locations overseas for the Middle East conflicts. He has now retired from active duty but still works at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego.

How did this change your life?

This obviously, profoundly changed all of our lives in my family. At that point my mother was looking for support for herself and our family so we moved next to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs CO as they had a Big Brother type program for MIA and KIA military families. This was my late Junior High and High School years. I spent every weekend of those years with Air Force Cadets and officers from the base. I also attended High School at Air Academy High which was located on base. Pretty much my life revolved around USAFA events seeing lots of concerts, watching football games and even meeting a number of US presidents there.

There are many incredible personal assets I’ve gained throughout my life and military affiliations. Discipline, respect, and honor are a few.

How do you answer the question, “Where are you from?”

My typical answer is everywhere and nowhere. I’ve lived all over the US and world. When forced to list a location (such as social media) I put Colorado as that was my Junior High, High School and college location.

What do you do now?

I’m a business and life coach for entrepreneurs. I love my work and sharing it with others. Radio shows, podcasts, books, articles, bolgs, vlogs and other means of sharing who I am and what I can offer is especially important to me.

Thank you, Karen, for sharing your story with us!