The Soldier It is the soldier, not the reporter,who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.   It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.   It is the soldier, like Bill who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag Soldier's Wives I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens. But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen. I have no rank upon my shoulders. salutes I do not give. But the military world is the place where I live. I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get. But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget. I'm not the ones who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line. But my job is just as tough. I am the one that's left behind. My husband is a patriot, a brave prideful man and the call to serve his country, not all can understand. Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free. My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me. I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life. But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife