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August 22, 2004
"We Laughed Hard and Cried Proud"
By: Linda Kelly Roffe (Mother of LCPL Frank)
Attending the Marine Parent Conference, July 30th in Indianapolis prior to seeing my son off to Iraq was worth every effort in getting there. To come together with so many Marine Parents on a national level was amazingly therapeutic.Although the conference attendees were from diverse professional backgrounds, income levels, religions and personalities… we all bonded instantly as a Marine family. Whether our kids were starting boot, deployed, have come home or leaving for their second tour… one commonality linked us together… our children in harms way. The parent-children traditional roles have been reversed. For the first time our children are taking care of us—our country—and leaving parents powerless. Our children may have volunteered to be Marines but “we” as moms and dads have been drafted.
I’ve discovered that from Marine graduates to 3rd generation Marine families—they all shared the same pride and anxiety as one emotion. I was impressed that I didn’t hear negative opinions, politics, or complaints at this conference. It was not a pep rally. Everyone shared useful information, experiences and genuine sentiment. We laughed hard and cried proud.
The Presenters were informative and moving. Speakers included famous author, Frank Schaeffer; General Carol Mutter; Marine social worker, Max Beerup; new country star, Marine Adam Marshall; care package senders Operation Interdependence; an open panel of experts with psychiatrists and Marines; Tracy Della Vechia; and many more supporters and vendors. The entertainment was heartfelt and there was plenty social time, for some until 3 am. The food was first-rate and had many generous contributors for the silent auction. I was happy to donate Oohrah, Semper Fi, and MRE wildlife photo posters. A couple more posters were donated to the Madison, Wisconsin USMC parent event in September.
I left the MP conference with a better perception of “Semper Fi” and a deeper understanding of what’s normal for Marine Parents to feel and behave—what’s normal for our Marines to feel and behave. The conference created Marine sisters and brothers—a new family—a support group to help us through day-to-day unease. As Frank Schaeffer states, “As the storm clouds of war gather, at least I know that I can look the men and women in uniform in the eye. My son is one of them. He is the best I have to offer. He is my heart.”
Frank is a gifted writer. Reading “Faith of our Sons” is relief in itself because he nails your feelings with just the right words every time. His site can be visited at www.FrankSchaeffer.com. Marine Adam Marshall just back from Iraq who is making it in the country music world can be visited at www.thelastmarshall.com. The 2005 MP conference will be in Kansas City. Watch for details at www.MarineParents.com and www.marinecorpsmoms.com.
Posted by Deb at August 22, 2004 10:15 AM
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