Marci Laehr-Tenuta: Remembering the troops: Inspirational stories and services to help families with loved ones away at war

Wednesday, March 7, 2007 2:16 AM CST

I have a secret. Well, I did until now. I LOVE reading those little inspirational stories that are sent out in mass e-mails.

Here's one I received last week from a friend. The purpose of the e-mail is to encourage people around the country to support "Red Fridays." It's a movement to get folks to wear red every Friday to show their support for our military troops.

But it's the story that makes you want to smile, or cry, or gives you shivers up your arms:

"Last week I was in Atlanta, Ga. attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

"Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's. As they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly on their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30 to 40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

"Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

"Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'Hi.' The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and asked what she wanted to give to her daddy.

"The little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

"The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

"When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10 to 20 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

"The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

"We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American."

Operation Military Kids

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Leadership Racine are offering the children of soldiers deployed overseas a new support network. Titled Operation Military Kids, the program helps students in grades four through 12 deal with the social, emotional and educational issues surrounding the long-term absence of one or both parents to military service.

Created by the U.S. Army to help the children of National Guardsmen and Army Reservists, the Racine/Kenosha program covers all military branches. The goals of Operation Military Kids are to create a support network for children and youth dealing with the same anxieties and fears, provide the students access to pre-college educational programs offered by the university, and to build social and interpersonal connections through various social and cultural events.

"We will meet every month and program activities will include college visits, career exploration, and the development of each student's personal portfolio," said Mary Day, UW-Parkside precollege program director. "We are looking at other activities including a Brewers game, summer camp and a military ball."

Day said the closest current Operation Military Kids program is in Platteville. UW-Parkside and the Leadership Racine class have worked together to bring the program here.

Leadership Racine is a collaborative program of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce, United Way of Racine County and Racine Community Foundation. Each year, the class is challenged to develop a project that is sustainable and benefits the community.

Operation Military Kids is open to the children of active military personnel living in Kenosha or Racine counties who can commit to 85 percent program attendance. Parent or guardian participation is strongly recommended.

The first meeting of Operation Military Kids will be held March 17. Enrollment is limited to 50 children.

For more information, call Mary Day at (262) 595-2550, (262) 595-2176, or e-mail:

mary.day@uwp.edu

This is a column about local people and the good things in their lives. Please share your positive news about people, retirements, anniversaries, birthdays and celebrations of all sorts.

Send to: Marci Laehr Tenuta, The Journal Times, 212 Fourth St., Racine WI 53403; fax to (262) 631-1780 or e-mail to:marci.laehr@lee.net

It also would be helpful to enclose a telephone number, should more information be needed.

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