Operation Just Cause ...for as long as it takes
by Marilyn Grote
Rick, how did you get involved with the POW/MIA issue?
I became interested in the POW/MIA issue while in the Marines. We had several flags flying including the POW/MIA flag and some of the soldiers had POW/MIA bracelets on. I read up on it and began to wonder how the government could blow it off like they have.
I have attended POW/MIA gathering in Washington twice now and in 1998 I saw the Wall for the first time. The feeling that came over me as I walked the length of that Wall was one I could not describe at that point. It was a feeling of loss, honor, devotion to men I did not know, men I would never know, but they fought to make sure I had the freedom to make my own choices.
When and how did you find out about OJC?
I found out about OJC when I went to Tech Support at Midwest and met Jeff. Grote. We became friends. The more we talked about the POW/MIA(s) the more I wanted to help. I adopted four Service men and built my web site. The more I became involved the more I wanted to do so I asked to become part of the Adoption Team because I wanted to find a place where I could make a difference. Marilyn Grote was Adoption Team Leader so Jeff talked it over with her. Jeff invited me to come to his house and the three of us discussed everything that was involved and what my part would be. The more I found out about OJC the more I wanted to be part of it and I joined the Adoption Team in May of 2000 and I have truly enjoyed it ever since.
What gave you the desire to adopt your POW/MIA(s) and by adopting them did it give you a feeling of personal involvement with the POW/MIA issue?
The desire came from my wanting to be part of an issue that I felt deeply for. I wanted to be a part of the group of people who will not stand by and allow our government to ignore the POW/MIA(s). They might want to ignore them and not bring them home but I will do my best to not allow that to happen any longer. Yes, adopting my POW/MIAs gave me a fulfillment, and a personal involvement.
As part of OJC what do you do as a volunteer?
As a volunteer for OJC I handle the Adoptions for 3 forms and also I am the International Adoption Team Leader. I take forms over when people go on vacation or need a break or if their system goes down. I enjoy doing these no matter how many I get. I do around 160 a month and know each one I do holds meaning to me. I would hope those I send the adoptions to have the same feelings as I have. At times I also help Jeff with the virtual bracelets that we do for the web sites.
With both you and Jeff being involved in the POW/MIA issue and working at Midwest are you able to get more people interested in adopting POW/MIA(s) and becoming involved?
I would have to say yes. Jeff and I see each other almost every weekday morning, Not only does it give me a chance to find out what is going on but others hear us talking about it as well. I have had a couple of co-workers stop at my desk and ask me about OJC. I have talked to them and gave them the web site.
What have you found to be the most common questions asked by people requesting to adopt a POW/MIA?
Most of them I get wonder if there is updated information or if the POW/MIA has come home. Another common one is does the government know how much we do. A few ask for certain units and or class,
What is the hardest adoption that you have filled?
The hardest one I have filled was from a 9 year old girl who wanted a specific POW/MIA from her state and requested especially to get her great Uncle. Her notes at the bottom left tears in my eyes as I searched for the one that she wanted. I still talk to her through email and we have become friends. Her parents are also active in the POW/MIA issue as well and happy that we keep in touch.
How do you deal with the emotional part of the bio/incident reports?
I don't read them; I read the part with the information at the top to make sure that this POW/MIA will fit what the person adopting him wants. If I read the emotional parts I start to feel sad, and then mad at the Government for basically blowing off the men they sent over there and left there. I read the one I have adopted and have written letters to my State Representatives, Congress, the President, and anyone else I can think of that can have a say so in what goes on.
On your own, what do you do to make people aware of the POW/MIA(s) that have not come home?
I have my own web site dedicated to the few POW/MIAs I have adopted. I added another after some time. I advertise the site and OJC whenever I can. I have that information in my email signature. If I could add it to my work signature I would but they don't want that. I tell those I meet what I do and give them the OJC web site address. Word of mouth is the still the best form of advertisement.
With three people involved in the Adoption Team living in your area do you think being involved in OJC is enough to do for the POW/MIA issue? What would be your suggestions to get more interest and involve in the Piqua area?
With this issue, to me nothing is enough. With all 3 of us this close we are able to keep in touch better then most and keep our notes straight. But I would like to see a campaign or even a local broadcast on the radio or local access TV. Something to let those know that there is a group that cares about the POW/MIA issue.
Do you have any suggestions are to what the Adoption Team could do differently or better?
There are parts of the adoption request form that I think could be changed to make it better for the sender of an adoption request and the A-Team to fill. I don't think there should be a select one, or no preference choice on the form. I stand very hard on my choice to support the Vets and the POW/MIA(s), I think the form should be made that those that fill it out to adopt a POW/MIA should have to fill in all the blanks with something besides those two choices. We try to find a POW/MIA for an adoption that the person can form some bond with so they will work to bring them home. With no information that is impossible to do. We need at least a state or branch of service to send the best POW/MIA to adopt that we can find for them.
You are the last Volunteer of the Month for the year 2000. What would be your hopes and dreams for the year 2001?
My hopes and dreams for 2001 is that the President understands that this has gone on for to long and takes action on it and starts to bring these men home.
Hope that everyone I can tell becomes involved and takes a stand on it. To let the government know we will not stand by and let the POW/MIA(s) be forgotten any longer.
I hope that OJC grows. As they do I hope to always be there to help and give support, to have more members to help out and let other people know.
Comments:
I consider everyone on the A-TEAM friends if not family. Even though I have only met two of the team members. MG and Jeff and one very special little girl Caity, everyone who is on the team is a part of a family that I hope continues to grow.
