Hello Everyone!    My name is Debbie Benware and I am a retired Navy Wife of over 22 years.  We physically retired from active duty in the Navy in Dec. l988, but as "civilians" we are still quite active. *S*  My husband's name is John. He was a Senior Chief Machinist Mate and was piped over the side while serving on board USS Detroit, which was homeported in Norfolk,VA.  You can read more about his Navy Career from this link.  He is and always will be "My Senior Chief!"

We raised four boys while in the Navy.  Kevin, Brian, and twins, John and James.  We traveled from Maine to Florida, to Great Lakes, to Virginia and made a few round trips in between.  I actually think that at one time the boys thought all houses had terrazo floors and white walls, and that everyone packed up every two or three years and moved!  We met many wonderful friends along the way, only to leave them behind to make new ones.  I wish I could find out where they are and how they are doing.  So, what I have decided to do soon is to start a "Lost & Found" section where all the Steel Roses who sign my book may fill in a section of who they would like to find and get in touch with, whether by email or mailing address.  Just mention the duty station where you met them, when, and that you would love to be in touch again.  Who knows, you may just come across their names in this section and renew that old friendship once again.

Every time I see a site about a Navy Wife, I just get a flood of memories that leaves me either laughing or crying.  We were stronger then we ever thought we could be.  I remember my mother and father said to me, "Thank God you're the one that married the sailor, cause I don't think your sisters would have the strength to do what you do!"  In a way they were right, cause it takes a certain breed of woman to hold this most revered postition!   The following is for YOU!

The United States Navy Wives are indeed "ROSES OF STEEL!"  Ask any sailor on any base in any part of the world what keeps him going, and he will answer, "My Wife!" Do not ever take your title lightly, for you are the backbone of your sailor.  Not every woman can do this.  It takes a special woman to stand behind her man when he is out to sea for months at a time. It is the spirit and stamina in you that helps you face the physical and mental challenges of everyday life.  Oh no, not just any woman will do. Only aSTEEL ROSE can handle this challenge.  The Navy Wife!!

     Can just any woman stand on the pier with babes in arms, and one on the way, and keep a stiff upper lip as she waves good-bye to her husband, keeping back the tears for "the childrens sake"?  Can just any woman lay alone night after night, for months and months at a time being sole guardian of her family?  Can just any woman get 2 weeks notice and pack up her whole household, pass a white glove inspection, load the car, say a quick good-bye to girlfriends who became like sisters and take off for yet another duty station only to begin all over again? Can just any woman take the lonliness and heartbreak of having no tender kisses, gentle touches, or sounds or smells of her husband day after day?  Can just any woman take a set of whites and iron and starch them just the right way so her husband can pass inspection?  Can just any woman be mother,doctor, maid, chauffer,umpire,psychologist,financial consultant, tooth fairy, Santa, the Easter Bunny , the main disciplinarian, and STILL enforce the love and discipline of  an absent father??  Not likely!! So ladies, give yourselves a pat on the back for your strength, your dedication, your deep love for your husband and your country, for without you, where would your husband be today?  Whether he is a seaman recruit, petty officer, Chief, Ensign, Commander, or Captain, he is what he is and where he is because he had a great woman standing right beside him, you, a STEEL ROSE of the Navy.