While she was away, her husband was unexpectedly moved into a leadership position, and her in-laws came out to Japan to help with their children. Like many of the military moms I spoke with for this article who are married, Colonel Somers, 40, said it was harder on the spouse at home than it was on the one who was deployed. “He had to deal with being the single parent and having the leadership position and trying to fly,” she said. Colonel Somers was supposed to be gone for six months, but was ultimately deployed for more than seven months. In honor of Veterans Day, I wanted to highlight the experiences of active-duty moms like Colonel Somers, and veteran moms who have deployed, at great personal sacrifice.

Source: New York Times November 11, 2020 09:56 UTC