RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,168929,00.html

This article really illustrates my last move! My husband is an ANG pilot. We had moved to the town of his unit and being in the guard means there were no bases to live on so we lived like regular people for about a year and half.(At least the kids and I did)
He continued to go to war, be placed on orders, or volunteer for tours. I enjoyed the luxury of staying put for longer than 6 months and made fast friends with our neighbors. Before he left for war I thought what will I do if something happens with the house, or who will scoop the drive way when it snows a foot overnight. Who would watch the my 2 children (under 3)when I needed to go to the store-or just needed to get my haircut?
When you live on a base everyone has been in the same boat you are trying to keep afloat while a spouse is deployed. You never have to feel guilty about asking for help because someone is usually home or their is someone at the squadron who knows why your furnace has decided that it rather not work this winter.
I really had no reason to worry. These "civilians" took care of me and my family. When my husband was gone during the last part of my pregnancy my neighbors mowed my lawn. When I would wake up after a big snow people where busy shoveling snow in an attempt to unearth my driveway. People offered to take the kids so I could get out and take care of errands, and even at my house at 11pm when my husband called them from Afghanistan to see if they could get my furnace in working order. In a matter of minutes I had 6 space heaters and someone arm deep in my disfunctional furnace.
When my husband told me that we were moving to a different country I was unphased as we had moved so often. My neighbors on the other looked shocked and even heartbroken. Who was buying our house? Would they have kids? Would they understand that you needed to be extra careful when driving as there were always kids playing near by. Would they let the neighborhood use the pool in the back?
I will never forget my last day looking into the red, tear filled eyes of my neighbor. Sure I was sad but having moved so many times I knew that we would see each other again. Living in different time zones and continents doesn't make you forget who your friends are!