Military Artwork

To many, it's a lovely sight to see in the home of a proud sailor. The artwork that celebrates their service.

No, I'm not talking about breathtaking paintings or sketches that might adorn the walls of a museum. Rather, I'm referring to simple black text on a white or manila colored piece of paper. Of course, some people might jazz up their wallscape by throwing in the super colorful fun ones like Order of the Spanish Main, Order of the Rock, Order of Magellan or any other ceremonious certificate.

Many of you know what I'm talking about. It's the famed "I Love Me Wall". I will say this, evidence of my husband's travels, achievements and escapades are relatively new to my home. He has always been adamant that we will not exhibit that stuff in his home. Maybe he's humble. Perhaps he's sick of seeing military stuff. Who knows. For me, I say paint the walls with your accomplishments honey. Go hog wild!

He's begrudgingly tolerated me hanging a few things over the past couple of years. So, long as it's not in-your-face, he's been okay with it. I can appreciate that. Still, I have some fairly bare walls and since we have ample paperwork from the Coast Guard, I figure why not pretty up the space a bit. Heck, he's not home enough to look at it. He can deal, right?

As I've said before, my husband's grandparents hold most of his awards and documents. They have proudly displayed them from the get-go. It's just the way, it's been and he has liked it that way. Still, I'd really love for the old stuff to make it's way to my house (some day). I know they are proud and all, but so am I. Alright, maybe that's a tad selfish of me. After all, we've never displayed this stuff much in the past, and it's usually difficult to tell that we are a military family by our decor. We are your average, run-of-the mill family with a mix of contemporary and traditional tastes. Nothing too fancy and nothing too patriotic. That's changing though. I've even started making nautical (CG related) crafts. Sheesh--what's become of me?

At any rate, isn't it funny how so many of us have our walls covered in certificates and commendations that to your average citizen might just go in a file drawer somewhere? I'm curious to know your thoughts on this: Is it art? Is it narcissism or pride overkill? What does your home look like? Where do those pretty certificates and praise papers reside?

In the Age of Email

Thankfully most military folks now have the ability to access and use email while they are deployed. Today's (new) Coast Guard spouse may take this technology for granted. Though, we can't and shouldn't hold this against them. They didn't know any other way. To them, it's always been there. Nonetheless, when a ship's email is down or there is a delay, it's hard not to project Stop complaining. There wasn't always email. In fact, as our own Christina reminded me, not all of the smaller ships are equipped with the "luxuries" that the larger cutters have. These guys and gals may not be able to connect to home via phone or email while on deployment.

I can remember writing letters the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper. I even shopped for special stationary because it was a big deal to me and the recipient. Still, I consider myself fairly young and just semi-seasoned. I was on the cusp of the technological advances that made our military members more accessible. Cell phones weren't prevalent when I came of age, but they surfaced not too long after. Today, they can be seen on the hips of Coasties everywhere (even in uniform, tsk, tsk). Spouses, significant others, mothers, Chiefs, etc. can get a hold of these guys (and gals) in blue at a moment's notice.

Even when a cutter is deployed halfway around the world, members can log on and email or chat with their spouses. One wife I am friendly with used a webcam back here in the states while her husband was in PATFORSWA in 2004 so that he could see their new baby as she grew. Their chats every few nights meant so much to both of them, but were such a far cry from what the spouses of 20, 30, 40, and even 50 years ago did to keep in touch.

Now, I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic, and I can't help but honor the time-old-tradition of letter writing. So, when my husband is deployed, not only do I enjoy the emails and phone calls, but I also still write letters. Sometimes I even flip the stamp upside down to indicate "I Love You". Who knows if it actually means that but once upon a time, a military girlfriend who was writing to her Marine said that and it stuck with me. For all I know, it means, Go ahead and spend all your money in the islands. Eek!