Sacrifice. Loneliness. Heartache. Adventure. Courage.

These are just a few words family and friends would use to describe the life of a military mom. Being a military mom takes grit, often wearing two hats simultaneously … while working overtime.

In this crazy military life we love, the military mom is the quintessential piece that ties the puzzle together.

Those puzzle pieces aren’t all the same shape: Being a military mom could mean being married to a service member, or being the mother of a service member, or being a service member and a mom. Or some (or all) of those put together.

In honor of Mother’s Day, here are a few quotes from fabulous moms worldwide just doing their thing and being the rock stars they are.

‘ANCHOR’ AND ADVENTURER

“A military mom is the stability in a military family,” said Angie, who is married to an officer and a mother of two (she did not want to give her full name). “They are the constant presence in their children’s lives. They are the anchors.

“Their father may deploy or be away for training, they may move four times before the age of 4, but mom will always be there.”

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While on the move, “military moms overseas have such a great opportunity to take their kids places other people only get to read about in books,” said Judy Srey, who is married to an Army podiatrist and a mother of four. “In order to do this, we need to be adventurous and willing to step out of our comfort zones and experience as much as possible.”

“Moving overseas can be scary because it is a big change,” said Srey, whose family lives in Germany. “It can be frustrating because there are a lot of moving pieces, but if you accept these things and approach the move with a spirit of adventure, it can be one of the best experiences a military family can have.”

SHOWING THE WAY

Being a military mom “means setting an example for my children” by “showing unwavering and unconditional love,” said Army Capt. Charlotte Andrews. “Giving them stability not only in the presence, or absence, of a mother or a father, but also in the knowledge that the bond of family is stronger than anything else.”

“I may have to deploy or train,” Andrews said, “but they will know that they are the most important part of my life. They are my soul; they are what drive me to be the best I can be in order to show them that anything is possible.

“Being a military mom is about being strong, flexible, loving, caring and supportive. It’s about showing my children how to help when families are in need; expecting the unexpected and making the most of it; staying positive and showing your children how to be happy, confident and strong in the face of adversity.”

SUPPORT AND SACRIFICE

“A military mom is a strong, confident and determined woman who stands proudly alongside her soldier,” said Meghan Moore, who is married to a military officer and a mother of two. “She embraces each moment to the fullest and strives to be the best wife, mother and friend.”

From another perspective, “a military mother understands the true meaning of sacrifice,” said Estelline Miller, whose son, Army Staff Sgt. Justin Whiting, was killed in action south of Mosul, Iraq, in 2008. “Not only small daily sacrifices she and her child must make, but the military mother understands her child may make the ultimate sacrifice for love of country.”

(Courtesy of Maria Cordova)

Maria Cordova is an Army wife, Navy brat, mom of two beautiful girls, member of Team Red, White and Blue, and author of “The ABCs of the Army,” a children’s book available at Amazon.com. She’s online at MariaCordova.com.

