What is the hardest time of day when your DH is deployed?

I don't think there is a hardest time of day, but more like several hardest times of the year. The holidays and birthdays were terrible when my DH was deployed.

What "acts of kindness" by friends and neighbors are the most helpful for getting you through a deployment?

I've always been very independent, but I appreciate it when people just let me know that they are there and available if I needed them. Once a neighbor/friend came over and watched my son while I mowed the lawn.

If your DH is deployed now, how much do your kids understand about where Daddy is and what's going on?

My DH is not deployed right now, but was away for a year back in 1998-1999. My son was too young at the time.

What did I do to keep Daddy in my son's memory at such a young age?

We made videos of my DH reading stories and talking to our son. Each night we would play a video and have Daddy read him his bedtime story.

What do you like best about military life?

I enjoy the traveling, meeting new people, learning about different cultures. I think being part of the military family gives me an extra perspective on our country that I otherwise would not see.

What do you like least about military life?

I just don't like having to pack up everything so often, changing addresses, saying good-bye to friends, etc.

If you could address a group of war protestors, what would you tell them?

Seems to me that the people reaping the most benefits from our country having a strong defense system are the ones who are protesting.

If your DS or DD wanted to enlist, would you encourage it or discourage it?

I would do neither. I would just make sure he/she had all the facts and that they were joining for the right reasons.

If a friend's DD was dating someone in the military, would you tell her to run before it gets too serious, or would you sing the praises of being a military wife?

Both! LOL There are times I wish I had my career and wanted to ask DH to get out. But there are so many more times I feel so proud and blessed to be married to a soldier. If possible, I would talk to her about how hard being married is for anyone and that being married to the military would give her extra duties and/or trials.