“Why don't parents convince their kids it's not a good idea to join the military?” That was a call-in question I received during a recent interview with New York Public Radio.

My answer: “Not every young man and woman wants to sit behind a corporate desk. Many, as our son did in 1999, feel the call to serve their nation -- to be part of a disciplined force of extreme pride and honor like no other. To his retired Marine Corps Sgt Major dad he said, “It's time I become part of something that makes a greater difference in the world.” Subsequently and with our blessings, our free spirited surfer and snow-boarder, who once defied every authority, became U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Sgt Patrick Tainsh -- a Silver and Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient after his death in Baghdad, Iraq, February 11, 2004.

My husband and I now work with those who support and honor their children and raised them to become selfless human beings. No better example exists than the Mahardy family of Syracuse, New York.

In 2003, the Mahardy's sat with mouths agape when their second of five children said, “college really isn't for me, but I believe the Marine Corps is.”

After discussions, and coming to understand that Joe's WWII veteran grandfather had inspired his grandson with stories about the honor of serving his country, the Mahardy's gave their blessing. When now USMC Cpl Joe Mahardy and his comrades left for Iraq with the Marines' 2/4 in February 2004, the Mahardy's created a Support the Troops Rally where, with the help of the Mattydale, NY VFW Post, the community came together to package and send material needs to the troops. The Mahardy's also became part of the Syracuse Marine Parents support group that invites parents from all military branches to support each other and their loved ones' units through letters and items the troops need while deployed. They also support parents like Renny and Donna Parker of Camden, NY, whose son, Sgt Eli Parker of Camden, gave his life on May 4, 2006 in Anbar Province, Iraq.

At the recent rally held on Saturday, August 5 in Mattydale, which I attended as the key-note speaker, proud moms and dads wearing yellow shirts embroidered with red words: “Once a Marine Parent, Always a Marine Parent,” once again brought others together to remember and honor the men and women who keep our nation safe.

A small table held a burning candle as everyone stood in silence to remember our POWs and MIAs. Another table held quilting squares sewed by women of the Marine Parent's Quilters, who create uniquely designed quilts to send as gifts to families of America's fallen. Anyone in attendance could write a special message on a quilt square in memory of a fallen hero. My family's quilt, in honor of our son, now covers the wall behind the sofa in our family room.

With help from their local VFW, this day showed what parents can do in support of their sons and daughters who willingly serve and sacrifice on behalf of a nation of 300 million.

Now at Camp Pendleton preparing for his second deployment to Iraq, Cpl Joe Mahardy sent a special message for his dad to read aloud at the rally:

I want to say thank you for this rally, something that may seem miniscule to you, but important to all of us deployed. Let me tell how you helped a wounded Marine in combat who was shot in the leg, severing his femoral artery. All we had to stop the bleeding was a baby wipe from a pack sent from you. That Marine is alive today because of that baby wipe and whoever gave it as a token of respect and thanks. If you wonder what's the big deal about sending troops some baby wipes, disposable razors, toothpaste, cigarettes, dip or other material goods minute in your eyes, let me tell you from first hand experience that whatever you send and give out of thanks and respect for the troops is more important than you'll ever know. All we can say is thank you, and hope that our fighting is more a direct way of saying thanks. When we first went to Ramadi, you made it possible to do our job day in and day out because you had our back and sending us something as small as a toothbrush let us know you're behind us at home and that is no small thing. I'm going to steal from a credit card commercial: 10-pack of disposable razors, $3.00, baby wipes, $5.00, cigarettes from Syracuse…Having our country back us 1000% during war, PRICELESS. Thanks again to all of you. Because of you winning the war on the home front, you make it possible for us to fight and keep the war away from our country. Thank you, God bless, and Semper Fi.

Sincerely, Joseph M. Mahardy,
Cpl/USMC/0311

After hearing this, how can our families not stand together to support our troops fighting to keep the terrorism from enveloping our great nation?

As the proud wife of a Marine and mom to a fallen soldier, I remind the caller and others who pose the question mentioned at the beginning of this article: There are young men and women in this nation with a spirit of pride pushing them towards something greater than their selves on behalf of their families' and a nations' way of life. Be grateful and support our troops as they endeavor with sweat, blood, and tenacity to keep terrorists from our shores -- to preserve life as we know it. And support our families, who are always the unsung heroes left behind to support and, in the face of loss, to carry on.