Page 106 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2024 - Online Magazine

Unsung Heroes: The
n the cozy living area of their
home, Ann Murphy, wife
Iof Major General William
Edgar Murphy, reflects on the
journey they shared—a journey
defined not only by her husband's
illustrious military career but,
equally as important, by the
profound sacrifices made as a
military spouse and family. As
she thinks about the sacrifices
made by her family, she shares
her desire to sing the praises of
these unsung heroes and raise
awareness of the unconventional
life military families must live.
Married in 1984, Ann entered a
life intertwined with the military
long before her husband rose to
become a 3-star general. "Eddie
was already a military man in
the Army when we married,"
she recalls with a wistful smile.
"I knew what I was getting into,
but I never fully comprehended
the depth of sacrifices we would
endure as a family."
For Ann and countless other
106 Lubbock Senior Link
Sacrifices of Military Families
by Laura Landes
military spouses, sacrifice
is not just a word—it's
a way of life. "Eddie
was the General, and
I was the 'flunky' who
followed him," she
jokes affectionately.
But behind the humor
lies a stark reality: the
life of a military spouse
often means uprooting families,
managing households alone for
extended periods, and navigating
the emotional toll of frequent
separations.
They were fortunate not to have
to relocate, as Edgar was always
based in Lubbock, allowing the
family to put down roots in West
Texas; however, his frequent
absence often left her tending the
family tree alone.
"I was known as the ‘Married
Single Lady’ by my church family.
For 16 years, we were lucky if
Eddie was home for five days
a month," she remembers, her
voice tinged with both pride and
melancholy.
Those years were marked by
missed birthdays, anniversaries,
and special events, most
celebrated over phone calls, and
holidays spent apart; yet, Ann has
no regrets as she finds comfort in
knowing that Eddie was doing
what he loved to do. "But
it also taught us resilience
and the importance of
cherishing the moments we
had together," she adds with
a touch of wisdom earned
through experience.
As Edgar ascended through
the ranks, Ann found herself
grappling with the weight
of expectations placed on
military spouses. The enlisted
receive medals, awards, and
recognition for their hard work
and dedication--things they may
not have achieved without the
unwavering support and sacrifices
of their families. Behind every
military accolade and promotion
lies a network of support—
children who grow up knowing
their parent as a distant figure in
uniform, parents who hold down
the fort while their loved ones
serve in many capacities, often
abroad, and spouses who become
the bedrock of stability in ever-
changing circumstances.
One of the most poignant
memories for Ann was her
time spent at Camp Mabry, in
Austin, where Edgar served as
Commander of the Texas Army
National Guard. "I would fly out
to spend one or two weekends a
month with him," she recalls. "I
became known for my wardrobe
because, when Eddie was
working, there wasn't much else
to do on the base, so to fill the