These are the spouses who held families together while the vet was off who-knows-where. As a then-young guy with no kids, I watched and heard my older crew members try to keep in touch with their wives and kids, via letters, and little spools of recording tape, mailed back and forth across the world. There were moments of joy, and sadness at missing big events, in those reports from home. Especially in those little tapes, with real voices. They connected, and tore, much more than a ball point on a page. I wonder if it isn't even more wrenching, these days, with Skype et al.
It has been said before, but I think true: It's harder to endure the not knowing, than it is to actually be the one somewhere in the high risk zone.
Every official car coming down the street in base housing is cause for alarm: “It could be for me. That might be the chaplain, or the commander......or, just one of the other 50 such cars on the base, going about their job, checking on a contractor doing repairs one block over.” The car passes, but the suspense comes again, tomorrow.
So, if you get a chance and you are so inclined to thank a vet for his or her service (I've yet to not be surprised when that happens, and I don't know what to say, other than 'You're welcome.'), bear in mind that person who may be standing proudly next to the vet.
My hat's off to you. Well done.