"The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way. " ~Henry Miller, The Wisdom of the Heart

The military history of the Guidon or unit colors is a long one. In the days of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the Guidon or colors were important to the regiment as a place to focus when the chaos of the battlefield ensued. The colors would help troops restructure and keep focus, to not lose sight of their unit. The Soldier who carried the colors had to be strong and brave. Unit colors are never to touch the ground. They have to be held high throughout a battle, being carried into battle and when standing in formation. The Soldier carrying the colors was an easy target in early battles and had to learn to fight with a sword in their free hand because a rifle needed both hands to be fired. The Soldier carrying the colors points the way.
The Guidon of today is a cherished thing. At every formation the colors are out front to designate the unit. I have been to many change of command's and watched as Units have stood in perfect formation, with the color bearer standing for a long time holding the Guidon. When command is changed, the guidon is passed to symbolize the change in authority. As a token of appreciation, the outgoing Commander typically gets the Guidon that flew over the Unit during his tenure. We have these precious items framed in our house, with words of endearment scrawled on the backs from the Soldiers that have passed through our lives.
As a military wife, I relate to the color bearer. I am not the leader of my household, I'm thankful that my husband takes that role. I am however, the one who holds our family's proverbial colors. When we prepare to go somewhere or do something, the family looks to me to lead the direction. When things are chaotic, I am the rallying point where order is restored. When it is time to head out into the great unknown, the family sends me first and follows with expectation. When there are long moments when we must endure, the family focus' on me to gain energy to continue. The history, the legacy, the pride and connection of our entire journey as a military family rests in my hands.
 This is a daunting role to have, but one I cherish. I never know when chaos will hit so I have to maintain my strength for those days when the family needs me for balance. I have fear going into the unknowns of tomorrow, but I have to move boldly in the right direction because my family needs me to do so. No matter how afraid I am of what lies ahead, the excited eyes of our children, who see this future as their adventure, push me to move. I am the cheerleader for our family when the road gets long and the days are hard. I have to keep a positive focus on the life we live so the children will remember these days for the rich experiences that they have been. Most of all, I need to keep a record of all that we have accomplished and all that we have done as a family so that my children's children will know the journey that we have been on.
 There are times when I feel my hands are too full, my feet are too weary and my arms are getting tired. Military families today are finding themselves on a battlefield all their own. The constant pull of Soldiers in and out of deployment puts a strain on a military family like we have never seen. I have become all too well versed in the stages of deployment and redeployment and how it effects our children, our marriage and my Soldier. Carrying the colors of my family has never been more important than it is right now. I know how it feels to have everything in our life in the correct place, mentally, physically and emotionally. We have experienced those days as a family when everything is right with the world. That is the standard that I look to when things are in disarray in our lives. The standard that I must set is one of courage and determination and strength. I have to point the way.
 At the end of it all, the most important colors will be the ones I hold in my hands. The Guidon of this military family that has experienced, enjoyed, overcome and endured an amazing journey. I have a job to do, that of a military wife.