|
Dear Family and friends, we are gathered here in the sight of Godand the Department of the Army to witness the exchange of vows, and seethe love that these two dedicated people have for one another. Wilt thou, Robert, take Debbie (who will now be referred as 'TheDependent') as your family member. To dwell together in so far as theArmy will permit? Wilt thou love her, comfort her via Postal Serviceor over the phone, make sure she knows, on the day she arrives, wherethe Commissary, PX, and church are and what time she is scheduled to usethe laundry room wherever you are stationed? Wilt thou attempt to tellher more than 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for twoweeks, beginning the next night at 0200. This especially applies to theyears that you are stationed in a foreign land. Wilt thou, Debbie, take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowingthat he is dependent upon you to be the perfect (well almost) Army Wife,running the household as you see fit and being nice to the Commander'sWife. Further, you understand that your life with your husband (littlethat you may have together) will not be normal, that you may have toexplain to your children, not once, but twice or more often in a singleday, that mothers do have husbands, that children do have daddies, andthat the picture of the man on the refrigerator is not the milkman , butthe same individual who tucks them in at 2200 hours, long after they areasleep. That soldier is their daddy, who loves them very, very much. Wilt thou love, respect, and wait for him, preparing his favorite mealswhen he does come home, freezing them when he doesn't, send him all hisfavorite treats and pictures of yourself and the kids so he can remember whatyou look like, and last, but not least, put on the outside of your door"Welcome Home" when he is due to arrive. I, Robert, take thee, Debbie, as my independent wife from 1900 to2200 hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject tochange without notice) for better or worse, earlier or later, near orfar, and I promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not whenthey get to me in the field, but before I turn out the lights. I willalso send a letter if time permits, and if not, to somehow, someway,make time. I, Debbie, take thee, Robert, as my live-in/live-out husband,realizing that your coming and going and 0330 formations are normal(although absurd, to me) part of your life as a soldier. I promise notto be shocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that, althoughwe've just arrived at our new duty station, we will be leaving withinthe month. Yes, I'll have you as my husband as long as, while you areaway, my allotment comes through regularly and that you leave me acurrent power of attorney and the checkbook at all times. I am a FamilyMember and proud of it, dependent upon myself and my resources. Although I miss you when you are away. I know I can handle whatevercomes across my path. Now then, let no man put asunder what God and the Department of theArmy have brought together, only for them to say 'Good-bye' to oneanother. Robert leaves for his duty assignment in Germany tomorrow.Debbie will be joining him whenever the approval arrives. The Armyhereby issues this lovely, dedicated, independent woman, knowing thatshe'll be an asset not only to your marriage, but also to the Mission ofthe United States Army, which is, as you know, to remain in a state ofreadiness. By the authority vested in the Bible, elaborated in theregulations and subject to current directives concerning the aspects ofmarriage in the Army, you are now a soldier with Family Member. Bestwishes and good luck! |
|
