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My favorite memory along these lines is the time that I was in the Marine Corps. I was in my fifth year in the Corps and had been married for 3 years. I had served in Desert Storm/Shield. I was stationed in Norfolk, VA in the Marine Security Forces there. I was serving as Sergeant of the Guard and, thus, was armed at all times with my M9 Beretta and all the other equipment on my duty belt.

My wife came to the barracks for some reason like bringing me food or a forgotten uniform or something else equally significant. I was walking her back to her car and she kept looking at my waist in a quizzical manner. It took me awhile to figure out that she was staring at my sidearm. I asked her why she was staring at it when she knew that I was infantry and had been carrying and shooting in the Marine Corps for 5 years. Her response was that she never saw me armed before that moment. It took her quite a while to realize that I was wearing the Marine Corps version of the carpenter's tool belt and that there was really nothing special about carrying that equipment except for the increased responsibility.

When I wanted to carry concealed this year, my wife had no problem with it as she has had more than 12 years to realize that carrying a weapon is something that I am capable of and there is no danger to her only the benefit of added security.

Now, my wife has zero interest in going to the range or learning to shoot. However, she supports me in my efforts. Sometimes, that is all you can ask.