The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

“I have always been patriotic,” said Cathlamet resident Cindy Fudge. “My Dad was in the air force, my brother was in the Navy… but now that my son is the one serving our country, I do the pledge of allegiance and I celebrate Independence Day knowing that my own child is willing to die for this. It makes me so proud. I get it now.”

Cindy and her husband Brian were supportive when their middle child Joel, now 21, decided to join the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school.

“It’s something that he always wanted to do,” his mother said. “We wanted him to serve our country. We feel like we’re really giving back. I just never realized what that would mean in terms of sacrifice.

“Joel is a RECON Marine. He jumps out of planes and goes on special missions. For a mother, it’s both an honor and heartache.”

The Force Reconnaissance companies are one of the United States Marine Corps's special operations "capable" forces (S.O.C.) that provide essential elements of military intelligence to command and control. Joel’s missions are often fast and amphibious.

“Because of the nature of his job, he often can’t tell us anything about what he’s doing or where he’s going," she said. "I’ve had to let go of knowing how he is. It’s a hard thing, not being able to help your child. I can’t just fly in and be mom.

“My faith has taught me not to worry. I’ve told Joel that if his soul is right, then I’ll see him again. I really believe that.

“There are days that are beyond hard, but I have to recognize that there are people that have it harder, and that gets me through.”

The mother of two other children, Rachel (23) and Brandon (19), Fudge described the impact that military life has had on the entire family.

“He couldn’t be there for Rachel’s wedding or for Brandon’s high school graduation. It’s hard not having him here, but for a family that was already close, it’s made us more bonded, more patriotic. He talked to Rachel on Skype the night before she got married and sent her a gift. We’ve really learned to count our blessings and hold on to those special moments.”

Of his experience, Joel told his mother, “You have no idea what you are capable of until you have someone pushing you. You think you can’t go any further and then you do.”

Joel, a standout athlete at Wahkiakum High School, credits athletics and his coaches for preparing him for his prestigious position with the Marines.

“He didn’t want to disappoint his coaches,” Cindy said. “It was like magic. No kid makes all the right choices, but Joel made better choices because of coaches like Eric Hansen, Marc Niemeyer, John Hannah, Jeff Rooklidge, Kyle Hurley, and the man who always led by example -- his dad (Brian). Althletics taught Joel leadership skills, to work in groups, and to follow when necessary.”

A softball coach in her own right, Cindy recalls a game the Lady Mules played at Napavine this spring.

“They played the national anthem and I just stood there listening with my hand over my heart and cried," she said. "I missed my son, and because of what he does, we were free to be on that field getting ready to play a ball game.”

Based in Japan, Joel is not far from the city that his mother lived in when she was 19.

“I went to Japan as a missionary,” Fudge said. “The experience made me grateful to be an American. When Joel went there to serve, it made me understand the sacrifice that is made for our freedom.”

This Independence Day, many people were pleased to have the day off of work. They put burgers on the grill and lit fireworks when day became night. As those bits of light illuminated the sky, Fudge was thinking of her military son and the honor that he has bestowed on the family.

“I don’t take Independence Day for granted. It is a privilege,” she said.

In regards to being a military mother, Fudge concluded, “As my children have grown, I’ve learned that I’ve never really had control of them. I’ve had to let them go -- knowing that by the grace of God, I’ll get them back.”