Military Spouses-They Serve Too
Veteran's Day is just around the corner. I am proud this community takes the time to recognize those who have served and are serving. It's the right thing to do not only on Veteran's Day, but every day you wake up to the sound of freedom ringing your doorbell.
There is one group of people who rarely are acknowledged on Veteran's Day - our military spouses. I believe they should be recognized along with the veterans. Our military members could not find peace while in harm's way, without knowing someone is taking care of things back home.
Trying to hold the home front together while there is a war waging abroad is not an easy task. This was especially true of the spouses during World War II and continued during Vietnam, and to the present day-our war on terrorism.
In both Gulf and Bay County, many spouses were asked to complete their daily chores and also, go to work. Can you recall the poster displaying Rosie the Riveter with her sleeves rolled up? Yes, these brave women went to work in the iron mills and aircraft factories to replace the men that had gone to war. Suddenly their private lives were turned into a very public and patriotic cause. The changes that women underwent during World War II would be felt by generations to come.
Traditionally, the woman's place was thought to be in the home. She was responsible for cooking, cleaning, taking care of the children, and looking her best. However, when the war broke out, and it was clear that America would not be able to win the war without the help of their women, the "traditional" homemaker and mother turned into a wartime worker.
During this time, the availability of many products was very limited and as a result, they were considered a "rationed" item. This meant that a homemaker could only purchase so much of it at a time, assuming of course that she could find it at the store to begin with.
A few of the items rationed were silk, nylon, rayon, cotton, and wool. Rationed food items included sugar, coffee, tea, butter, and meat. As a result, a spouse had to drive around to several different markets to find the supplies they needed to create a well-balanced meal. This too created a problem since gasoline was also a rationed item.
Just imagine being a mom and having to do without these items today. Yep, spouses sure had it tough during World War II.
Spouses and children of veterans who served this great nation and to those now serving in harms way... I SALUTE YOU! You are appreciated for your service.
I ask that all the local Veteran's Day event coordinators, whether it be in church, VFW, AMVETS, American Legion, County Courthouse, or on the steps of City Hall, to also honor the spouses this year, as you recognize our hometown heroes at various Veteran Day celebrations.
Ed McAteer is a Port St. Joe resident
