Homefront Heroes: Wings for Women Founder Talks about the Stresses of Military Life

Guest Blogger Alane Pearce talks about the trials and tribulations of military life––except she does more than talk. As the founder of the military spouse support group, Wings for Women, she offers real solutions for military spouses and their families who have a critical need of  networking and support when facing the battle of isolation, loneliness and stress on the home front.


When Mama Ain’t Happy...
By Alane Pearce Military Spouse and Founder of Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences

Military life can be hard. Our military personnel make great sacrifices to protect our country and others around the world. They work long hours and spend extended periods of time away from their families to fight for the freedoms that allow us to enjoy an American lifestyle. What many don’t realize is the stress and strain that this puts on the military spouse.

Military spouses are strong, but they can’t bear the burden of military life alone. The pressures of deployment, single parenting while married, tight budgets, lack of continuity and other stresses bear down on this strong woman’s soul.

This is why I founded Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences--to help military spouses deal with the stresses of military life. The Wings for Women Conferences--two-day events that will run in military cities across the nation (as soon as we have funding for them) feature general sessions, dynamic speakers and military lifestyle breakout workshops designed to inspire and encourage military spouses towards emotional healing.

When Hollywood Had Heroes: What Got Jimmy Stewart Through 20 Combat Missions

Jimmy, my main squeeze

 The Golden Era: A Time When Hollywood Was Patriotic and Actors—Gasp!—Read the Bible

The oft-quoted maxim, “They don’t make them like the used to,” surely must apply to my man Jimmy, who was–and is–my favorite actor in the whole wide world. As someone else once said, “He was a prince of a man.”

In fact, I’d always vowed that when Jimmy Stewart died, I’d wear black for a week. I was completely serious. Unfortunately, I was on an outdoor adventure travel writing assignment in Washington state when Jimmy Stewart slipped the surly bonds of this earth, and I doubt my then-editor would have taken too kindly to my sending photos of myself dressed in black hiking gear. 

But I digress. My point here is that Jimmy Stewart was far more than a consummate actor, dedicated family man and all-around standup guy. He was also a rarity among today’s celebs—a decorated war veteran who served his country with great distinction.

Just as important, he loved God–without embarrassment. Brig. Gen James Maitland Stewart acknowledged his dependence upon his Supreme Commander during his time in the trenches (more like the air ways since he was, after all, an Air Force man) and, as such, he found particular comfort in the famous “Soldier’s Psalm”: Psalm 91.

Read the following letter Jimmy’s dad wrote him—a letter that he found so emotional, he was apparently unable to read it to his son aloud.

My dear Jim-Boy,

Soon after you read this letter, you will be on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I am banking on the enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray. Goodbye, my dear. God continue to bless and keep you. I love you more than I can tell you. – Dad

Left Behind. A military wife shares the heartache–and the honor–of being married to a soldier.

It was a typical Saturday night, when single young girls everywhere gather together at karaoke hangouts to let loose after a long, arduous work week. Unlike many of her party-lovin’ peers, 24-year-old Katie Martin* was not particularly “on the prowl” … she just enjoyed belting out a good tune. That was until she happened to glance over at the “tall drink of water” with broad shoulders and a wink in his eye. It was a furtive glance that caused her to remark to her friend: “Wow … he’s cute!”

So cute that two and a half years later, Katie and Cody Larson* were hitched. Unfortunately, just one day after they tied the knot, her husband booked it to Baghdad—more accurately, he headed for pre-Baghdad training. It was his second deployment. 

 Since then, like most military wives, Katie has struggled with depression, loneliness and a host of other emotions that test her resolve to “remain strong” for her husband. In that regard, she fares better than most. Partly because she always knew she’d marry a military man. But also because she was raised in a family—and a state (Nebraska)—that understands the concept of sacrifice, something that many of her peers have had little training in.

Not to be left out of the equation, however, is Katie’s strong faith in God.