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Remembering Patriots: Past and Present
This podcast highlights the experiences of patriots and their wives who served the United States, drawing parallels between historical figures and contemporary military families. It begins by recalling Lucy and Rutherford B. Hayes during the Civil War. Rutherford, at 40 with three young children, chose to enlist in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861, driven by a belief in a “holy and just cause.” Lucy, despite missing him terribly and worrying about his safety (he was wounded three times and had horses shot from under him), supported his decision. Her resilience and support, even staying with him in camp one winter, are emphasized as key to his service.
Remembering a Patriot from today
The conversation then shifts to Kristi Wood, whose husband served 24 and a half years in the United States Navy. Kristi shares their unique start as “Desert Storm pen pals,” falling in love through letters before ever meeting in person. Her husband initially left the Navy during downsizing years but felt compelled to re-enlist, leading to 19 “amazing wild ride” years together in the service lifestyle, with their children born into it. He is now retired.
Patriots deal with the Constant Change
Kristi describes change as a constant thread in their military life, marked by deployments, “workups” (pre-deployment ship preparations), and exercises that took her husband away for weeks or months at a time. They cherished “shore duties,” when he was home daily, unlike the frequent absences during “sea duties.” She candidly explains the reality of “pseudo-single parenting” during deployments, a challenging but ultimately character-building experience that fostered compassion for true single parents.
Patriots Navigate Challenges
Despite the difficulties, Kristi highlights the adventure of moving and learning about diverse communities across the United States. She acknowledges moments of struggling with trust in God amidst uncertainty but emphasizes how faith ultimately guided them. Danger was an ever-present reality, though her husband, due to his clearance, could not always share details. Kristi recounts a profound experience of feeling a divine call to pray for him during a communication blackout, later discovering he was in a precarious situation.
How Patriots Maintain Marital Closeness and Family Impact
Kristi attributes the strength of her marriage to their deep friendship and mutual trust. She notes the familiar military family dynamic of tension right before deployments and an adjustment period upon return, a natural part of the reconnecting process. Their father’s absences significantly impacted her children; she shares a poignant story of one son attempting to walk miles to say goodbye and another feeling the immense pressure of being “the man of the house.” Military children, she observes, often develop similar behaviors to missionary children due to constant moving and lack of permanence.
Decision-Making and Faith
Kristi’s husband was a “gem” who never criticized her decisions made while he was away, recognizing her “decision fatigue” during those times. Patriotism and faith blended seamlessly for Kristi; her primary focus was always “Jesus first.” She learned to surrender her anxiety about constant moves by clinging to scripture, particularly Philippians 4:6-7, and found peace and steadfastness in God’s word.
Advice for Military Families
Kristi’s advice for other military families is to prioritize trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6) and “roll with the changes.” She illustrates this by explaining how global events can instantly alter military schedules. She also shares her personal decision to turn off the news, especially when her children were young, to avoid unnecessary worry and prevent them from experiencing anxiety about potential dangers to their father.
Kristi Wood: Author and Hero Advocate
Kristi is an author of both Christian fiction and nonfiction. She has penned “101 Prayers for Military Wives,” a gift book. Her personal experiences have shaped her writing, as her brand now centers on the “military hero or the hero,” encompassing Jesus and other everyday heroes, including military personnel and first responders. Her contemporary Christian romance novels all feature military heroes, showcasing how her life in the service continues to influence her work even in retirement.
