Tom MacCallum

Richmond County Daily Journal

A display in honor and support of Company E, 1/120th Combined Arms Battalion, Hamlet, North Carolina National Guard, has been set up at Leath Memorial Library.

Thursday, Ronda Jones, coordinator; and Valeria Lunceford, both of the Family Readiness Group for Echo Company, were presented a check from Detachment 1252, Richmond Leathernecks, Marine Corps League, by Past Commandant Bill Rohleder in support of the family group.

Rohleder and his wife, Rene’, presented a book “The Spirit of Semper Fidelis,” to Leath Library to add to a new collection they are presenting entitled “Living in the Normal, Supporting Children Through Trauma and Loss” in support of Echo Company families.

Echo Company with some 80 troops will be leaving soon for a tour of duty in Iraq in support of the effort there.

Accepting books for the library were Jesse Gibson, director, Richmond County Libraries; and Peggy Wilkes, children’s programs coordinator.

The Rohleders are introducing a series of books called “Living in the Normal, Supporting Children through Trauma and Loss.”

They were asked by Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin (D-Richmond66) recently to attend a two-day seminar in Fayetteville and then to introduce the support effort, which includes the books, in Richmond County.

The books along with a military display courtesy of Staff Sgt. Clarence A. Harris, the U.S. Army Recruiter in Rockingham, are just inside the door to the left where magazines used to be displayed.

Information on the national effort is available at www.MilitaryChild.org maintained by the Military Child Education Coalition.

The term “Living in the Normal” is used to describe the changed physical, psychological and emotional environment Americans live in since the terrorist attack of 9/11.

The Rohleders said for military-connected communities, the “new normal” has been intensified by extended deployments to war.

“Families and loved ones who have borne the sacrifices may find themselves in the gap between a rigorously organized military support structure and the new normal — a community that may lack the formal and informal structure to assist them in the ongoing process of confronting and dealing with the changes in their lives,” Rene’ Rohleder said.

She said the program encourages families to ensure that their children have the tools to weather life’s storms, fosters homefront efforts to support military children, and provides educators and other concerned adults with information to help them support their children in uncertain times.

“Living in the Normal efforts are predicated on the belief that children are courageous and resilient, and that these skills can be strengthened through deliberate encouragement by the adults in their lives,” Rohleder said.

Leath Library has also ordered a selection of books to add to those donated for the display.

“We will be continuing to add to this display,” Wilkes said. “We are so very proud of our men and women who protect our freedom, and we want to have a special place here at Leath Library to honor both them and their families.”

She said if anyone wishes to bring a photo of their loved ones serving in Iraq, the library will display them.

n Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.