A Legacy of Service:
Honoring the Military, the Navy, and the Ones Who Stand Beside Them
Each year, as the last Monday of May draws near, American flags are lowered to half-staff in silent tribute, cemeteries fill with flowers and flags, and families gather in backyards across the country. Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer — it is a day etched into the soul of our nation, a sacred moment of remembrance for those who paid the ultimate price in service to the United States.
As a U.S. Navy veteran, with several in my family who have served and someone who has also experienced the life of a military spouse, this day carries layers of meaning — pride, grief, gratitude, and reflection. It is a time to appreciate all who have served and continue to serve, but especially to honor those whose names are now etched in marble rather than stitched on a uniform.
My Call to Serve: Life in the U.S. Navy
There is something unique about answering the call to serve. The decision to wear the uniform of the United States Navy isn’t one made lightly. It’s a commitment to discipline, duty, and sacrifice. It’s waking up at dawn on a ship in the middle of the ocean, standing watch in darkness, executing missions with precision, and holding fast to values like honor, courage, and commitment.
Navy life is challenging. It means missing birthdays, holidays, and family milestones. It means months away from loved ones and years of being stationed far from home. But it also means becoming part of a global force for good — helping during disasters, keeping the seas safe, and standing on the frontlines of freedom. The Navy teaches resilience, leadership, and how to rely on your team as family.
For those of us who served, there’s a pride that never fades — the pride of being part of something larger than yourself. You remember the names of your shipmates, the sound of morning colors, the sharpness of your first salute. You carry it with you long after the uniform is folded and the sea is behind you.
The Silent Strength: Military Spouses
Equally powerful, though often less visible, is the sacrifice of military spouses. They are the steady heartbeat behind every service member — managing households solo during deployments, raising children in unfamiliar places, and offering love and support despite the uncertainties of military life.
Being a military spouse means learning to start over — new duty stations, new schools, new jobs. It means enduring lonely nights, adjusting to ever-changing schedules, and becoming a master of resilience. It means holding onto hope during long separations, and learning to cherish every homecoming.
But it also means being part of a community that understands sacrifice, service, and strength. Spouses forge bonds quickly, lifting each other through the weight of worry, the joy of reunion, and the heartbreak of loss. They serve too — not in uniform, but with courage, grace, and unshakable love.
Military Appreciation: More Than Just a Gesture
May is Military Appreciation Month, and while we should celebrate our armed forces year-round, this month is a powerful reminder of the everyday heroism that lives within military communities. From active-duty service members to veterans and their families, each plays a critical role in our nation’s defense and deserves our deepest respect.
But military appreciation isn’t just about discounts or parades. It’s about listening to stories. It’s about hiring veterans and spouses not because it’s charitable, but because they bring skills, discipline, and experience that add value. It’s about supporting organizations that help those transitioning out of service and creating space for healing.
Appreciating the military means more than thanking someone in uniform — it means understanding what they gave up to wear that uniform and finding ways to serve them in return.
Memorial Day: Honoring the Fallen
At its heart, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance — not just for the military, but for the lives that were cut short in service to this country. For Gold Star families, this isn’t a holiday. It’s a reminder. A photograph on a mantle. A folded flag. A voice that will never be heard again.
As a Navy veteran, I’ve known brothers and sisters who didn’t come home. Their memory lives in our stories, in our ceremonies, in the way we live our lives with purpose. Memorial Day is not about glorifying war — it’s about honoring sacrifice. It’s a collective pause to reflect on the cost of freedom.
It’s about the young sailor who stood the last watch, the soldier who ran toward danger, the pilot who flew into harm’s way — not for glory, but for duty. It’s about their families, who carry on with courage, grace, and unimaginable strength.
A Personal Reflection
Serving in the Navy changed my life. It shaped how I lead, how I work, how I view purpose and responsibility. Being a military spouse taught me flexibility, empathy, and resilience. These experiences are not just part of my past — they are part of who I am every day.
That’s why Memorial Day, and the month of May as a whole, means so much. It’s not about grand gestures, but quiet remembrance. It’s about honoring legacy, living with integrity, and making sure those who served are not forgotten — in our workplaces, in our communities, in our hearts.
We owe our fallen heroes more than just a day of remembrance — we owe them lives worthy of their sacrifice.
Final Thoughts
So, as you enjoy the long weekend, take a moment to pause. Visit a memorial, teach your children about what the day truly means, support a veteran-owned business, or simply reach out to a military family and say, “Thank you. I see you.”
Because behind every freedom we enjoy, behind every peaceful morning, is the sacrifice of someone who stood watch so we could rest.
Let Memorial Day remind us not only of what we’ve lost — but of the responsibility we have to carry their legacy forward.
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Thoughts on Service and its Effect on My Life
During my 33 years of service, I held various positions that challenged my leadership, resilience, and adaptability. From my earliest days as a junior officer flying jets in the Fleet to my later years in senior command positions, each chapter of my service brought new challenges and invaluable lessons. The Navy’s demands taught me discipline and instilled in me a deep sense of duty—not only to our country but to the Sailors I was responsible for. I learned to make tough decisions under pressure, take responsibility for my mistakes, and maintain my focus in stressful and uncertain environments.
My experiences also helped me develop a strong sense of empathy and teamwork. Leading sailors from diverse backgrounds required more than just strategic thinking, it demanded understanding, mentorship, and communication. I really strived to be a servant leader. I learned that the true strength of any unit lies not only in its warfighting capabilities but in its cohesion and morale. The bonds I formed with fellow service members are lifelong, built on mutual respect and shared sacrifice. These experiences continue to influence how I lead, interact with others, and approach problem-solving today.
Looking back, my naval service has shaped not just my career, but my character. It instilled in me a purpose-driven mindset, a respect for structure and accountability, and a commitment to continual growth. The values I lived by during those years—integrity, honor, and service before self—are principles I still carry with me in every aspect of my life. Whether in professional settings or personal relationships, the Navy gave me the foundation to lead with confidence, remain grounded in purpose, and contribute meaningfully to the world around me.
Thoughts on Military Spouse Appreciation
Military Spouse Appreciation is a time to honor the unwavering strength, sacrifice, and resilience of those who stand behind their uniformed partner. These spouses navigate the unique challenges of military life—frequent relocations, long deployments, and the uncertainty of service—with remarkable grace and dedication. Their support is the backbone of our armed forces, providing stability at home so service members can focus on their duties abroad. They serve in their own way every day, often quietly and without recognition, yet their impact is profound and lasting. We celebrate their invaluable contributions and express deep gratitude for the love, courage, sacrifice and commitment they bring to our military families. – T. Luscher, U.S. Navy RADM (ret.)
A Military Spouse Perspective
– J. Luscher
As a military spouse, reflecting on my husband’s three decades of service as a Navy officer brings a deep sense of pride, but also a recognition of the sacrifices that came with the journey. Our life was marked by frequent moves—each one a new beginning that meant packing up our home, helping our children transition into new schools, and starting over in unfamiliar communities. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught us resilience, flexibility, and how to build a sense of home wherever we landed. I watched our children grow into adaptable, open-minded individuals, shaped by the diversity of experiences they gained along the way.
Supporting my husband through deployments and long stretches of separation demanded strength and independence. I learned to carry the weight of daily life on my own at times, juggling parenting, my career as an Occupational Therapist, household responsibilities, and the emotional toll of having my husband far from home and unable to communicate. But I also found a deep sense of purpose in being part of something bigger than ourselves. The friendships formed with other military families became lifelines—our shared understanding and mutual support created a strong community no matter where we were stationed.
Looking back, I see those Navy years not only as a testament to my husband’s service, but to the strength of our family. We grew together through the challenges, celebrated the victories, and built a life full of meaning, adventure, and unwavering commitment. Being a Navy spouse shaped me in surprising ways, and I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
