Published: May 08, 2008 01:01 pm         

On Mother's Day, like every day, moms just pray troops stay safe

When our babies grow up to be soldiers

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. — Someone will be missing at the Mother’s Day dinner table in tens of thousands of homes across the United States this Sunday.

That someone may be serving our country overseas or stateside in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. He or she may be in harm’s way or training for the next mission.

But on Mother’s Day, chances are that special someone doesn’t know just how much he’s missed.

“I miss him so much, I can’t even come up with words. When your child is overseas dodging bullets you are fearful for him on a daily basis — minute to minute,” said Jo Weaver of Choctaw, whose son, Sgt. Daniel Campbell, will serve another year with the Army in Iraq.

Five Midwest City and Choctaw mothers with children serving in the military said they want nothing more for Mother’s Day than to hear their sons’ voices. One of the soldiers has been overseas for two years and one mother said goodbye as recently as January. The moms miss their heroes every day. All pray for their child’s safety and the safety of their brothers and sisters in the armed forces.



Just to hear his voice

Laurie Chambers of Midwest City knows the trials and tribulations of military life and the longing to hear from those who serve. She is a veteran of the Air Force and her son, Senior Airman Clark Ryan Chambers, 22, is the fifth generation of her family to serve. Her great-grandfather fought in the Civil War.

“Just to hear his voice saying, ‘Hi, Momma. I love you.’ That would be a Mother’s Day gift to me,” Laurie said.

Clark, a 2003 graduate of Carl Albert High School, is stationed at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base in England. He’s been gone two years.

Last year on Mother’s Day, he was stationed in Iraq and unable to call home. This year, his mom hopes to hear from him.

“He’s my last born. He’s my baby. He’s my only son,” Laurie said through tears.

She misses everything about him.

“Everything he does puts a smile on my face — his laughs, his mannerisms, the fact he loves his mom and dad so much. He’s really a great kid,” she said.



Safety her No. 1 concern

Cindy Hood of Choctaw doesn't know if she’ll hear from her son, Marine Cpl. Tyler Hood, on Mother’s Day. He calls home when he can.

A 2005 graduate of Choctaw High School, Tyler, 21, is stationed in Iraq. He has been out of the country since March 31, 2007. He definitely will be on his mother’s mind this Sunday.

“I’ll be hoping he’s safe, that he’s around his brothers, getting rest. I’ll be missing him terribly,” Cindy said.

“My biggest concern is that he’s safe.”

Chances are Cindy will spend a bit of her Mother’s Day in her bedroom looking at a Mother’s Day masterpiece crafted by a then-8-year-old.

“He made me a very special picture out of a piece of wood and a picture of him and his brother in a bathtub when he was very young. He wrote on it, ‘Love you Mom, from your second son.’”

Cindy misses Tyler always joking, messing with her.

“He is extremely loving and has a great sense of humor,” she said.



Caring son/caring leader

Lt. Col. David Victor Jordan with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is 40 years old. But to Diane Jordan of Midwest City, he’s her baby.

David has been serving in Iraq since last October. Diane expects to hear from him on Sunday.

“I’ll beat him up if I don’t,” she said with a laugh.

Diane expects a lot from David because he gives a lot.

“He’s just such a nice man. He’s great with his wife and kids. He’s just a caring, concerned individual and I know he has great concern for all of the guys under him,” Diane said. “I always know that with both of my sons, if I need them, they are there.”

As she holds on to her memories of past holidays, Diane’s Mother’s Day wish for David is that he’s safe, happy and well. She surely will spend many future Mother’s Days with him.

“I think any time you are with your kids on Mother’s Day, it’s a special one,” she said.



Family awaits his call

Family tradition will make the absence of Seaman Keil Ramirez, 22, that much more noticeable this Mother’s Day. The 2005 Choctaw High School graduate is serving in the Coast Guard and stationed in Kodiak, Alaska.

His mother, Dawna Ramirez, said it’s tradition to gather after church at her mother’s home for dinner.

“That’s about the time he’ll be calling us. We’ll be there together when he calls,” Dawna said.

Because Keil is serving stateside, he can use his cell phone to call and wish his mom a happy Mother’s Day. But if he was at home, his mom would get a kiss.

“That’s just the type of kid he is. He always gives me a good-night kiss,” Dawna said.

She said her son has a tender spirit.

“He really is the type of person that puts others first. He always befriended the person nobody else did.”

The last year without Keil has been hard on Dawna.

“I’m glad his brother’s still here to keep me sane,” she said.



Longing to see her hero

Jo Weaver of Choctaw will be thinking about all the mothers at home without their sons and daughters this Mother’s Day.

“It’s just really sad to be apart,” she said.

Jo wishes her son, Army Sgt. Daniel Campbell, 27, was home on Sunday. Stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., he is stateside on leave, but soon will leave for another year in Iraq. His wife is expecting a baby girl this week.

Jo remembers a special Mother’s Day about three years ago when she visited Daniel, a 2000 graduate of Choctaw High School, in Colorado Springs.

“We took a trip up to Pikes Peak. It was a beautiful day, up in the mountains. It was special, just being able to spend that time with him,” she said.

Jo loves everything about being Daniel’s mom.

“Oh, my God! He’s a hero!”



Vicky Holland writes for the Muskogee (Okla.) Phoenix and The Sun at Midwest City, Okla.