I have a question. What do you think of when you think of Veteran's Day? Do you think WWII vets? Perhaps Vietnam Vets? Maybe you think about the first Gulf War or our newest generation of vets from the GWOT. But, do you think about the spouses of veterans?
Yeah, me neither. However, it is safe to say that for each vet there are family members who sacrificed along with them...and for most vets - a spouse.
Someone did think about the spouses of those who serve this Veteran's Day; Bonnie Hunt. Bonnie's daytime talk show (The Bonnie Hunt Show) chose to focus on the spouses of veterans and active duty in her Veteran's Day broadcast.
Set your DVR to record the Bonnie Hunt Show on Veteran's Day. Bonnie filled her audience with military spouses. Her first guest was an Army couple Patty and Pat. Pat was injured, sustaining a TBI (traumatic brain injury) in Iraq. His injuries left him unable to talk, walk and with seizures. His recovery, however is steady and he is an inspiraton. He has recovered speech and walked on stage with the assistance of a cane. Patty is also an inspiration to many military spouses supporting an injured service member.
I was moved by Bonnie's desire and efforts to insure that we as military spouses knew that we are not forgotten. She expressed over and over her amazement what our lives require of us with deployments, sacrifice and stressors of military service.
Bonnie partnered with Sears to provide each military spouse in the audience a $100 gift card to express her appreciation.
I never want to diminish the importance and solemnity of Veterans Day or take anything away from those who have served. But it was such a pleasant,encouraging surprise to see acknowledgement that alongside most vets a spouse also served and sacrificed. Thank you Bonnie!
