Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Semper fi parents
A remote control can be the source of many good things, from unexpectedly exciting movies to fondly remembered shows, to completely new discoveries. Tonight I was looking for something interesting to watch while I ate my salad. I chanced upon an interview with a friendly looking and sounding woman who founded an organization called Semper Fi Parents of the Hudson Valley after her son who had gone to Iraq with the Marines was wounded and did not come home. She was devastated and did not know where to turn for information or help. An HBO director contacted her because he had film footage of her son after he'd been shot, and therefore had precious information for her of the last hours of her son's life. She agreed to participate in the film and found herself embarked on a mission. She sought information from the Marines and though they meant well their mechanisms assisted spouses, not parents. One thing led to another and she began to fashion what became therapy for her and seems as a gift from her son and to others. She says that SFPHV has five basic components to its mission:
--To be an emotional outlet for Marine/military parents of those in boot-camps, active, or reserve status and for those who have been recently discharged.They've sent over 1500 care packages, 150 holiday stockings to soldiers in their three "adopted" platoons, held annual golf outings to raise funds and shore up their own friendships (the next one is in two months), gathered funds and food and items for deployed and wounded soldiers and provided immeasurable emotional and moral support for families. One of the website's vital parts is a Parents page which provides information that was previously not gathered in one place at all, for before and after boot camp (reading, resources, etc.) as well as generally. Necessity is often the proverbial mother of invention but rarely so helpfully and encouragingly. (I'm so glad I have a remote control!)
--To network with area businesses and to hold fundraisers to raise supportive funds to help offset the cost of the many boxes that are sent to our troops.To hold educational workshops for parents and troops.
--To steer parents in the correct direction for additional emotional / educational assistance which cannot be handled from within the local support group.
--To disburse three scholarships per year to those who have been discharged from active service or who continue in the reserves, and have opted to further their education in the college system.
Labels: people, reflections
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