A Close Call

Your role—A military wife

Two days have passed, and it time to say goodbye to your husband. The drive down to San Diego’s ship yard seems to have gone by fast, and you try to savor every second with your solider. On the parade deck you see other families in the same situation; there isn’t a dry eye in sight. You come to realization this maybe be the last time you see your husband. You try to hold back tears to show that you are strong. Saying goodbye is never easy to do, and so you say “see you later” to lighten up the mood. It is now 8am and the troops begin to board the ship. You give your last hug and kiss and watch your other half walk away.


It has been two months since your husband has left. Finances have been tight, but you are managing with the help from family. Days drag on as you count down the day until homecoming. You and a friend are at the local park on base when you see a government car drive up to your street. Your heart stops—a government vehicle with two marines in dress blues is never a good sign. The car stops in front of your house. You run to meet the Marines hoping they aren’t for you. The Marines get out and walk up to your neighbor’s door. You’re relieved, and at the same time your heart goes out to your neighbor as you know what is coming next.

This situation is something that all military families dread. When a government vehicle comes to a house between the hours of 6am and 10pm, a spouse will be receiving news that will alter their life forever. This situation is not easy for the spouse or the person telling the news. The job of telling someone’s spouse has died is something that no one wants to do, but unfortunately it is a job that exists.

The issue I want to address is the aftermath of a death. When a serviceman or women dies, regardless of their rank, their spouse receives $450,000 and $12,000 for the funeral service. How can you place a price on a person’s life? $450,000 can barely buy you a house in California. I do not blame the military directly. I blame the government. The US government comes up with a budget, and it just so happens that only 450,000 dollars is allotted to the surviving spouse or family. This is an insult, and I believe the budget needs to be reconsidered. By no means am I saying the people who joined in the military care about how much they get after they die. My concern is for the family who is now left behind, and how they will survive without their loved one. Again, whoever came up with the budget should ask themselves would they accept 450,000 dollars if their spouse died.

Thinking long and hard,
The Troop’s Advocator