For most Americans today is about BBQs, hot dogs and corn on the cob. I want us to take 15 minutes on the real meaning of Memorial Day, to recognize fallen military people. And because this is a site about moms, I want us to focus on military moms. Not ones like Cindy Sheehan who lose their children to war (and do some amazing peace work), but to the moms who put on uniforms and wave good-bye to their children.

Here at Work it, Mom we have many discussions about mommy guilt. If we shouldn’t opt-out and stay home, if our business meetings run into dinner time, if our travel schedule means we have to miss half of soccer season (hand raised!). Can you imagine missing 12-18 months? With the very real possibility that the next time your kids see you that you are injured or in a flag-draped coffin? I can’t.

Yet we have women who do it. Who do it because they love our country, love their work, or love their family that the economic promise of military service is too good to turn down. According to the latest statistic I could find (more up-to-date numbers are very welcome in the comments!) 350,000 women are serving in our military forces. I have no idea how many of them are moms like you & I.

We do know that the first woman killed in Iraq was a single mom - Lori Piestewa. When she died, her children were 3 and 4 years old. Since then her memory and family have had many memorials.

* Jessica Lynch calls Lori the real hero and donated proceeds from her book to Lori’s children.
* Lori’s family was featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
* Squaw Peak in Phoenix was renamed Piestewa Peak.

Sadly, I am sure that there are other moms who have died in Iraq, but I was unable to find to list in this piece. While I opposed this war from the beginning, I salute all the moms serving and weep for all the little ones left behind.

Edited to add: The AAUW blog does a quick history of women in the military.