Letter: Military spouses are underappreciated

TodayAmerica is celebrating Veterans Day. Many company and restaurants are showing appreciation to veterans and active duty military. As a veteran, I am appreciative of this.

However, there is one individual who is being left out of the appreciation process. The military spouse. They are underappreciated. I was in the military 24 years and I was happy to dedicate my time to my country. My wife was stationed with me for 20 of those years. Yes, I said stationed with me. I went on cruises on the ship, my wife stayed home alone in a town where none of her family was. She was mom and dad for a week to as long as seven months. That isn't an easy job.

When she married me we lived down the street from her mom and dad. I decided to go back into the military. She never hesitated to accompany me. Even though we were going to an area she didn't know and she didn't have anyone there to depend on except me. We were there less than 30 days when my ship left for a two month cruise. She was alone, scared, had two kids and nobody near to help her.

The military spouse is a veteran in all aspects of the word. The military spouse is underappreciated and should be designated as a veteran.

I wish to thank my wife for her life and for the way she supported me. Military spouses are strong in their support - they are veterans.

Don Kilts

U.S. Navy, 11 years

U.S. Army, 13 years

Retired

Cedar Rapids