Elaine Lowry Brye is a mom who knows about letting go. Like many moms, she cried when her kids left home, wishes they’d call and write more, and spends sleepless nights worrying about them. But Elaine’s tears and concerns are even more poignant than most mothers’—because Elaine is the mom of four military officers, one each in the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines.
An Army brat turned ROTC candidate turned military wife, Elaine never expected her kids to have a call to serve, and certainly didn’t expect all four to join up. Three of her kids—two sons and a daughter—attended the Naval Academy, and it was there that Elaine got her own calling: she joined the Naval Academy Parents’ Listserv, and began a sixteen-year journey of helping moms and dads adjust to their strange, new, lonely lives as military parents.
She also spent a year teaching in Kabul, Afghanistan where she experienced life in a war zone. Her love of her country and desire to support her fellow parents led to her to write Be Safe, Love Mom: A Military Moms Stories of Courage, Comfort, and Surviving Life on the Homefront and created BeSafeLoveMom.com to further support and connect those who love their military children.
“Do your duty, love your country, live with honor and suck it up” is her mantra as she encourages military moms to face the challenges and struggles of military life with courage. She hopes the lessons learned in “The Heart of a Military Mom” will be empowering and inspirational and provide a reminder that we are not alone in our love, worry and pride for our beloved children.