Proud To Say I Married A Marine
Submitted by Jan Hardesty
My husband was a Marine for just four years from 1973 to 1977. He wanted to re-enlist but we had three small children (we were only 21 then too) and I was tired of moving around. I told him that if he signed then to check divorced on status. He chose his family over the corps.
Just a few years later at 25 his kidneys failed. They told me he would only have about 6 months to live. Since then he has had over 20 operations, including cancer, heart attacks, strokes, two kidney transplants, 4 total hip implants and a ocular occlusion that took the sight of his left eye but he is still here. I teasingly say its been a long six months. I truly believe his marine corps training is what has given him the strength and will to keep going.
The 3 kids and his 7 grandchildren think he is superman but he reminds him he is a “just” Marine. The grands have all caught their first fish with grandpa and the older ones have had their first hunting trip with him. The Marines gave him the power to overcome all that he has faced. He goes to the Houston VA for his care and most of it is good. He only gets social security disability but it helps us get by. He is constantly in great pain from his hips and other ailments but rarely complains. Our oldest granddaughter (8 years old) has learned well from her grandpa and has been an all-star in soccer, softball, basketball and 6th in the state of Texas in the 200 meter run, she also runs relay and 100 meter. Our oldest child was in a car wreck a couple of years ago and sustained the same injuries that killed Princess Diane. Doctors said it would be years before she would be over the wreck. Three months later she was back to work and raising her three children. She attributes her recovery to strength she got from her dad and seeing him go through all he has over the years.
As a young mother I didn’t understand the Corps. Now as a wife of 27 years to a man who is still a Marine after all these years I am proud to be his wife. Its just too bad that the most of the rest of the nation is where I was 23 years ago. Its sad that in the VA hospital that the ortho ward if they cant find something to operate on they call the vets “drug seekers” when they go there to get off the drugs and find a cure not treat the symptoms. Its sad that they ask if they are in pain every time they go to the clinics but the hospital has no pain management system to do anything about chronic pain. Its sad that because their disability occurred after they left the service that they overburden the already overburdened social security funds when they should be on Veteran Pension, but the red tape to get anything toward that is surrounded with pass around phone calls and told to go to this building and that only to find a VA “Rep” that wont be bothered to try and help.
My husband is Michael Jay Hardesty and I love him and his USMC. I am heartbroken every time I go to the VA and see how not just the patients but the doctors and staff are frustrated with how the limitations of funds and red tape leaves so many of the men and women that gave their all for just a tour or a lifetime so shortchanged. Yet I am still proud to say I am married to a Marine.