15 Feb 2019
On Valentine’s Day, after I had presented my Lady Susan with her red roses, chocolates and a sappy Valentine’s Day card, I stumbled across an article on the internet. That article made me realize that the husbands, dads, and lovers of almost 150 women who have served in our nation’s armed forces during the War on Terror would probably be laying their roses and cards up against their sweet Valentines' gravestones.
Yes, we often think about the men who gave their lives on the battlefields, but since the attack on America on September 11, 2001, a total of 148 women deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria have lost their lives in service to America. We must not forget them.
In June of 2018, I wrote a song, with help from my brother, Ronald D. McGuire, about a lady in uniform who never made it back home alive. It’s titled, “Wish You Were Here.”
You were so sharp, but lovely in your reserve uniform
The day that I first met you at the ice cream store.
It was the best decision I’ve made in my whole life,
When I popped the question and asked you to be my wife.
You should have seen our daughter as she went on her first date.
She’s a picture of her mother, even just a little late.
You would have screamed so loud for our son’s big winning score.
His team went crazy as they carried him out the door.
Wish you were here to see how we have done
Without the light of our lives here in our home.
Trying to stay strong, with our strongest link now gone.
Missing you, Dear — Wish you were here.
One day we got the call and they sent you out
To some far-away land we didn’t know much about.
Then the chaplain came by with a message that could not wait.
A grateful nation thanks you for the price you paid.
Wish you were here to see how we have done
Without the light of our lives here in our home.
Trying to stay strong, with our strongest link now gone.
Missing you, Dear — Wish you were here.
When we think of those who have given their last great measure of sacrifice in service to our country, let's not forget that some of them were some husband’s wife, some daddy’s little girl, or some adoring suitor’s sweetheart.
In Christ,
Patriarch Bp. J. David McGuire, DD
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