Kerry Gives Marine Mom Special Mother’s Day Gift
by Pamela LeaveyJohn Kerry gave a special Mother’s Day gift to Marine mom in Massachusetts the other day. The story below from the Berkshire Eagle outlines the details of a thoughtful Senator and patriotism prevailing:
Marine mom comforted
By Scott Stafford, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Berkshire Eagle
Friday, May 11HINSDALE — A symbol of patriotism can be stolen, but local support for patriotism prevails.
An article in The Berkshire Eagle on Wednesday recounted Jessica Swail’s dismay at the theft of a U.S. Marine Corps flag and a plaque she hung on a tree in her front yard in honor of her son, Mitchell Keil, on the day he left for boot camp almost a year ago. The plaque said: “This property protected by the U.S. Marines.” Since the article appeared, Swail has been comforted by friends, strangers and an elected official.
When news of the thefts hit the street Wednesday, friends were calling her “the lady on the front page.”
Later in the day, Louis Robesch, commander of the Marine Corps League of Pittsfield, gave her a new Marine Corps flag — a gesture Swail said proved most meaningful to her.
And yesterday afternoon, Brigid M. O’Rourke, press secretary for U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, paid Swail a visit. At Kerry’s request, O’Rourke presented Swail with another Marine Corps flag, one that had flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., as well as a new plaque.
A short time later, Kerry telephoned Swail.
“He said he read the story in The Berkshire Eagle and he was outraged,” she said tearfully after their conversation. “I didn’t expect people to give me things. I just wanted people to know someone stole my flag.”
Swail said she was honored by the senator’s gesture and would rehang the flag — although higher in the tree this time. “It’s been an emotional day,” she said.
The plaque Kerry sent was worded slightly differently from the original: “This property is protected by the U.S. Marines, in honor of PFC. Mitchell Keil’s service to our country and a Mother’s Love.”
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I am sorry for that woman whose flag was stolen.I am glad that a very fine American was so thoughtful to her..Thank You Senator Kerry I wish you were running but oh by the way who are you supporting? Thank you Debora soule
A Day for Mother’s
Today is Mother’s Day, a day steeped in the long tradition of honoring the Mother for it she who gives life to al of us and it is she who nurtures us and molds our future.
My mother, gone now for many years, instilled in me the importance of a…
A descent gesture from a descent man.
Note: Make the world a better place then you found it. Hat tip to you, JK.
While all politicians give lip service to the sacrifices of our troops and their families, Senator Kerry consistently reaches out to show his admiration for them on a personal level. As someone with several family members who’ve served in the military over the years (including one home from Iraq), I hope JK knows how much such acknowledgments are genuinely appreciated.