Unifying the New Generation of Military Widows

I think I’ve written and erased this first line at least 20 times… My Husband Jeremy, known to many as SSgt Smith is and always has been an amazingly passionate man. He was a poet, a loving husband, an exceptional Marine. He wasn’t just my husband; he was my best friend, the light of my soul, my fairy tale man. Jeremy brought so much love into my life and everything that is me. I never could fathom the magnitude of love two people could share with one another until I met Jeremy. We met July 4th 2008, I had just moved to Texas not even a week prior to our meeting. We knew instantly that this was it we were destined to be together and on April 7, 2009 we were married at the court house then May 2, 2009 we were married AGAIN but in front of all our family and friends! We were always laughing and joking and living our lives to the fullest. We were all or nothing and I loved every
minute of it. It was all I ever dreamed of and so much more. I know each of you know what I’m trying to say and there are no words that could ever really describe the love between two people it’s just a feeling that you know.

Jeremy had a calling an enormous pull in his heart and that was to protect all of those
he loved and cared for and serve his country. That’s exactly what he did. He left late February for his
fourth deployment; he had completed 3 in Iraq and this was his first time to Afghanistan. April 6, 2011
was the day I received a phone call from a man who said he was with the Marine Corps while I was at
work… My first thought was oh no Jeremy is hurt but hey they’re calling me so he’s alive and we can get
through anything; I will pack up my things and go where ever he is to be by his side and take care of him.
The conversation continued and the Marine asked me if I was at work and where that is because he
needed to talk to me face to face. That’s when my heart completely dropped and I started freaking out.
I knew Jeremy had been killed not injured why else could he not tell me over the phone??!! My co-
workers tried to assure me that Jeremy must be trying to pull something cute since our anniversary was
the very next day and he always liked surprising me. I just could not quit shaking there was no way… I
knew but just didn’t want to say it, he was gone. I waiting for 45 minutes before 4 Marines came into
my office with such awful looks on their face. There was no doubt what happened and they were about
to confirm my biggest nightmare… It was a friendly-fire incident and my sweet hubby was killed by a
hellfire missile shot from a predator drone. Apparently this is the first time an incident like this has ever
happened. I couldn’t even fathom the thought of it or how an error like this could be made with the
technology these things are equipped with. Everything after that is a blur I can’t tell you what day is was
or when something happened or anything. I lost the half that made me whole how can anyone continue
after that? But… you can and do.

Jeremy wrote me and all those he loved a letter and the biggest part I hold onto is that he
did not want us to stay in midnight, he did not want us to stay unhappy forever to know that he is
in a better place waiting and watching over us all. It’s only been almost 8 months but I want to take
what he said and apply it to my life and be as strong as he is. I will forever try to strive to be more like
Husband. He is and will forever be the light to my soul and will always remain in my heart, (and arm!
Lol I completed a full sleeve tattoo dedicated to my hubby). I will always try to be a better person and
do things the way he would have done. I was lucky and received my husband’s wedding band back after
one of his fellow Marines searched and searched a field for it just to make sure I would have it back.
Where do these men come from? Absolutely amazing and could never repay an act like that. I created

a necklace for it and it’s always hanging around my neck close to my heart where it belongs.

I’ve learned that everything doesn’t have to have a set plan, rhyme or reason that you
think it will or should have… When you think things, situations or circumstances are hopeless be
determined to turn it around into something positive… We have the ability to select different paths
based on what life hands us, and you can choose how happy or positive you are along the way. I refuse
to be stuck in negativity. I am going to radiate this attitude! I know Jeremy is proud of me and what I’m
doing with my life and because I laugh harder than I think I ever had in my life. I’m living for the both of
us so I do things times two! I never thought that was possible, but being surrounded by so many people
that love Jeremy, my family, his family and his Marine Corps family it’s been an amazing support system
and I know I couldn’t have done it without any of them! As I move forward into this new life I have
been thrown into I do not want to hold back on anything, I don’t think in anyway shape or form that will
diminish the love Jeremy and I shared. I think it just means that I’m learning how to live with him in a
different way. With these thoughts I look forward to being genuinely happy again and maybe even
create new fairy tale in my life whatever that may be… I hope by sharing this might touch and help
someone who is going through the same thing.

Much Love…