Category Archives: military tributes

14 Tuesday May 2013

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Happy Military Appreciation Month! I am recognizing someone in my life associated with the military everyday in the month of May. Today, I am recognizing the fabulous,Cavalry Scout Spec.  Ian Cavanaugh. Where do I start? Ian came into my life when he befriended my oldest son Terrance. He gave Terrance a gentle nudge and encouraged him to wrestle. They were in 7th grade. We had just moved from Virginia and my surfer son was lost in the cornfields of Illinois. Terrance is shy. That single act sent Terrance on a different trajectory that ultimately lead to him playing football in college. Ian was a staple in our lives when my kids were young, so much so that my dog, Spladle, is named after his favorite wrestling move. My son wrestled 177 and Ian wrestled 145- but every time they hit the mat in my basement, Ian would patiently spar with Terrance before mercilessly pinning him time and time again. Terrance was a great athlete- Ian was a phenom. Ian was that kid in highschool that defied gravity. He was the boy every girl wanted to date and ever boy wanted to be; athletic, attractive, charming with just the right mix of humble “gosh, ma’am” and badass. He is an amazing athlete whose has yet to find a sport he cann’t master. So good in fact, while in Afghanistan, his commander had him sprint through the streets of the village they were entering with a camera strapped to his head so they could get a better sense of what they were facing.

I remember the day Ian told me he was joining the service. We were in the stands at a football game. He had been graduated the prior Spring and was attending the local community college. It wasn’t for him. He decided to join the Army. Always good with parents, Ian moved slowly across the stands talking with the parents of kids he played ball with sharing his plans. I watched each group smile as they patted him on the back, thanking him for his service and wishing him the best. When Ian sat to share his plans, I gave him a long hug, told him to keep his head down and come home safely. We were the only military family in his life, I had a good idea of what lay before him. Ian, of course, exceled in boot camp. Ian’s body is a machine and there was really no physical task the Army could give him he hadn’t already tried himself. Ian deployed to Afghanistan and his family held their breath. I would see him mom and she carried the same “I can’t believe how proud I am but please God, bring him home” energy of every other military mom I know. When Ian came home in May of 2010 for his mid-tour leave, he was welcomed by a Patriot watch escort and a park filled with family of friends anxious to see him. He greeted them all with that signature smile that can light up a dark room and hugs all around. I was interviewing veterans about returning home and Ian agreed to participate. My youngest son interviewed him the day before he returned to his unit. When asked about Afghanistan, Ian replied with a uncharacteristic heaviness “ I’m just a kid from Johnsburg. I thought everyone in the world was the same. Man, was I wrong. It is really hard going back. I never thought about how hard it was gonna be going back.” And for a fleeting moment, I saw a very different Ian. Ian is helping me with a book I am writing about life after the military. When he talks about his homecoming, he gets goose bumps and his smile fills his whole body with joy. When we talk about what is next, he is less sure. In reality, he is still finding his way back. He trying to figure out who he is post service and what he wants to do now. I went to see him last week and Terrance was with me. As we got in the car to leave, Terrance said with relief- “it was good that what makes Ian , Ian, is still there.” Ian remains that charismatic athlete who is the most likable guy in the room. Ian is also an accomplished soldier who knows what he did was important. He told me he will talk to anyone who asks about his service on one condition- You better be prepared to listen. “And you know Mrs. Maule, normally they aren’t.” I know there are stories that will never be told, memories that will always be between only a few, select people. Ian, like most combat vets has bonds with friends he served with that can never be understood by his peers and knows in his bones there is nothing left to be afraid of. No amount of words can share how incredibly proud I am of that little blond boy who befriended my son. Or of the man who defied gravity in service to our country. Thank you Ian, from the bottom of my heart. Welcome home.

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Thank you for raising your children to serve

12 Sunday May 2013

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May 12  2013-

Happy Military appreciation month!

I am recognizing someone in my life associated with the military everyday. Today is Mother’s Day so I thought it only fitting to recognize a military mom.

So today,  I am recognizing my friend Connie Secor. Connie and I met while attending Leadership Greater McHenry County.  At the time, her son Daniel was in A school  to become a Navy Corpsman.  She was proud of her son and all he had accomplished. Towards the end of the program, she shared with me that Daniel had received his first orders. He would be attached to a Marine unit as their field medic.  This is a noteworthy duty for a Navy Corpsman. Daniel was deployed to Afghanistan and Connie did what all military moms do- hope, pray, and Shoulder on.  Daniel returned safely.  He was changed by his experienced, no longer an unsure boy, he was unmistakably a man. As a Corpsman, Daniel is the first responder to his units medical needs in the field- it is an incredibly difficult and unfortunately critically necessary job. He came by his calling honestly; he followed his mother’s footsteps. Connie is a trauma nurse.

Connie and I had lunch recently. She shared that Daniel is in work ups getting ready to deploy again. The second time is much harder. A first deployment is filled with questions and curiosity. What will it be like? Will they be changed? What will they face?  With the second tour, you are all too familiar with what is involved. Those awkward responses from your friends when you share why your child missed your birthday. That need to avoid the news so you don’t hear about a bad day in Kabul.  The jump of your heart when you receive a letter- proof that they are alright.

There is something very special about being a military mom. You are bursting with pride that your child stepped up, leaned in and were willing to stand point.  But that pride comes at the cost of being able to protect your child from the bad things in life.  The roles reverse- it is now your child doing the protecting.

At lunch Connie told me, “I remember when Daniel landed home safely, I could finally breathe. I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time he was gone. “

And now he is getting ready to go again.  I ask that you say a prayer for Connie and Daniel and all the other mom’s who celebrate today with a child deployed.  There can be no greater Mother’s day gift than the safe return of their Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman.  We thank them for their service. I thank you for raising your child to be willing to serve. Happy Mother’s Day, Connie.  I will keep you both in my prayers.

Military Appreciation

11 Saturday May 2013

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I decided to recognize people in my life who are associated with the military. May is Military appreciation month- and life most things, I know that because I am surrounded by the military- most people don’t – because they are not But I have a big facebook community and so this is what I did. Each day- I would feature another person in my life who served. It have been fantastic. Meaningful to me in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible.  I assume that it was a good call back to the blog.

So- I will catch you all up.

May 2, 2103- Happy Military Appreciation Month!
I think I will recognize a different Veteran in my life everyday in the month of May.
Starting with my father. SSgt Louis Vasseur. My dad was a Marine who served in the Korean War. He was a sole surviving son and could not be drafted but volunteered to serve immediately after high school. He proudly wore his Corps. colors til the day he died. In fact, the last time I saw him he was wearing his Korean Vet belt buckle, his Marine Corp ball cap and the William & Mary sweatshirt I had just given him, over his Camp Lejeune shirt.
My favorite memory was being able to visit the Korean war memorial in DC with him. He was very quiet. For those who knew my dad- you realize how significant that is. He came to visit us in Virginia for the 50 anniversary of the Landing at Inchon re-enactment at Little Creek Naval Base in Norfolk. He then marched with other Korean combat veterans in a parade- back straight, chest out. He was so proud… so was I. I tear up every time I think of it.
I appreciated my father for alot of things, but as a military spouse. I truly appreciate the sacrifice he made to defend my country.

May 3, 2013-Happy Military Appreciation month!
Today I want to honor my husband, GSEC Jack Maule. Jack was a EM2 when we met- a second class petty officier. He was going to school at Great Lakes as an Electricians Mate. I never dated sailors, they were ‘those” guys in my world. Until Jack- actually, I didn’t know he was in the Navy until out third date- he said he was an electrician- I never asked where he worked. Fate. He served on the USS Charleston, USS Belknap, USS John Hancock, USS KIDD, & USS Briscoe. He worked in DESROn, SIMA Norfolk and lead 31 TANGO tactical team until he retired after 21.5 years. He will tell you he was just doing his job. But in that job he kept engine rooms up and down the east coast running, mentored numerous NCOs and earned the respect and admiration of everyone who ever worked with him- several who followed him to GE. I watch him play with my niece and nephews and truly understand what he sacrificed in service to his country spending 80% of his “haze grey and underway.” My life has been rich and varied as the result of meeting that tall sailor from Massachusetts- and I could write all day and never touch the level of love and appreciation I have for him. Thank you for your service.

May 4, 2013- Today, I am honoring my daughter, CTT2 Aeysha Maule. In January of 2006, Aeysha sat Jack and I down to inform us she did not want to go to college. She wanted to see the world. She had been talking to the recruiters at school and had decided to join the Navy. I was anxious. Her father was anxious- he knew what she was getting into. Life for a woman on a ship is hard, a clear minority. She finished bootcamp, was home for 20 hours and then left for A school . After A school, she flew to Bahrain to meet her ship. My blue eyed, blonde haired 19 year old daughter off to the the Middle East – alone to wait for her ship. I was nervous but I was also immensely proud. She was deployed off the coast of Africa for 7 months. In her five years of service she deployed three more times. When Aeysha returned home in May of 2011, she came home with money in the bank, a jeep that was paid off and a new idea for what she wanted to do. She is in college. She is finding her way in her next chapter. I remain incredibly proud of my daughter and all that she has done in her life. She is part of the very select group of 1% that opted to serve her country above herself. I love my daughter and appreciate all she has done for our country.

I will add the rest as the month progresses. Hope you enjoy the ride.

MMM