Father and Son Write About Love and the Marine Corps

American Forces Press Service | 11-10-03 | Rudi Williams

[FlyLow]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2003 – Before his youngest son joined the Marine Crops, Frank Schaeffer's impression of military service could be summed up on a mock recruiting poster: "Out of Work? Undereducated? No Health Plan? Join the Army and see Iraq."

But his attitude changed dramatically after his son, John, signed up for the Marines after high school, graduated from boot camp and later went to Iraq.

Father and son teamed up to co-write the book, "Keeping Faith – A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps." The book covers John's boot camp experiences at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C., and the family's perspective of dealing with issues of class, duty and patriotism raised by residents of their affluent, suburban-Boston community along the North Shore of Massachusetts.

The book, written in alternate voices by father and son, is about how the experience changed them both.

The elder Schaeffer said he was taken aback when his son announced he was joining the Marines. "My friends were sending their sons and daughters to top colleges," the father said during a speech last summer at the Military Child Education Coalition conference in Groton, Conn.

The family's two older children attended Georgetown and New York University, noted Schaeffer, author of novels like "Portofino," about a young boy's family vacations in a seaside town, and its sequel, "Zermatt."

"I never served in the military," he observed. "Our kind -- higher-education-worshipping denizens of the North Shore - - rarely enlist these days."

His son's decision to join the Marines made it harder for the elder Schaeffer to face his friends. "So where is John going to college?" was the question he said he didn't relish answering "from parents who were itching to tell me all about how their son or daughter was going to Harvard."

Noting that in 1999, his son was the only senior graduating from the Waring School, an elite prep school in Beverly, Mass., to consider military service, Schaeffer said one perplexed mother asked him, "But aren't the Marines terribly Southern?"

"What a waste, he was such a good student," said another parent.

When John graduated from boot camp, more than 3,000 parents, relatives and friends were there to see their new Marine, Schaeffer said. "Many were poor. Some arrived crammed in the backs of pickups, others by bus. John told me that a lot of parents could not afford the trip," he said.

"We in the audience were white and Native American. We were Hispanic, African American and Asian," Schaeffer said. "We were former Marines wearing the scars of battle, or at least baseball caps emblazoned with battles' names."

Noting the diversity of the spectators at Parris Island that day, Schaeffer said he couldn't help comparing the experience with one he'd had six months earlier.

"We would not have been mistaken for the educated and well- heeled parents gathered on the lawns of John's private school a half-year before," he said.

Reflecting on John's birth 22 years ago, Frank Schaeffer said his son "grew into a gifted poet, athlete, loyal friend and, most surprisingly -- to me at any rate -- a Marine," he told the audience in Groton.

"John could have gone to any college in the country," he continued. "But he chose military service. It has taken me several years to figure out why he joined."

He quoted a passage John wrote for their book that he said helped him to better understand and respect his son's decision:

"I could hardly remember why I'd joined. In any case, what I imagined I was joining, and the reality of the Corps were two different things.

"If the recruiters had tried to explain the truth about the Corps to me before I signed up, I would not have understood them. People enlisted in the Corps for selfish reasons: self-improvement; because they were broke; because they had nothing better to do; had something to prove to fathers, mothers and girlfriends; or for training that would 'pay off' later in the civilian world.

"Some joined to follow in the footsteps of fathers and brothers. Some bought into the nice uniforms or just wanted to belong to something, anything, or to see the world. After we all got to Parris Island, our reasons for wanting to be Marines changed and deepened or we got sent home …

"When it came down to it, as any recruit could tell you by the end of his or her training, the Marine next to you is more important than you are."

The father said he learned a few things from his son's experiences. "One truth I've learned is that my son's Marine brothers and sisters work in a multicultural meritocracy that puts our best colleges to shame when it comes to equal opportunity and true integration, let alone resolve and unselfish purpose," Schaeffer noted. "I never hear about the color of my son's current roommate at any posting in the fleet. I'm only told that such-and-such a Marine is 'an awesome Marine' or that he is not."

Schaeffer said he wrote about his journey from being the reluctant father of a Marine recruit "to becoming the proud parent of one of our defenders."

After the book hit bookstores, he said, he was flooded with more than 2,000 "humbling and supportive" letters and e- mails, mostly from other parents of military personnel, and a few from military and political leaders.

One woman wrote, "When my son joined the Marines, I was stuck somewhere between devastation and shock. Now I am so proud of him." Another said of her officer daughter, "When she gave me the recruiting pamphlets all those years ago, I tried every tack to try and talk her out of her choice. I thought Marines would be anti-intellectual, sexist automatons … I was shamefully wrong."

Then Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones, who is now commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, wrote to Schaeffer, "There has been a 'disconnect' between the men and women who defend our nation and those who are the beneficiaries of that service."

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush wrote letters of encouragement and praise. Former President Bush wrote, "Even after 9/11, there are many who look down on our men and women who serve … This is a cultural arrogance."

But Schaeffer points out that many parents will not even allow their children's high schools to give their names and addresses to recruiters. "Some parents apparently find it unbearably onerous that their children might be asked to even consider serving their country, though their children not only may refuse the phone call but, of course, are under no obligation to join," he noted.

"According to all polls, the military is held in very high esteem by most Americans," Schaeffer said. "But the class gap between who serves and who doesn't is so marked now that exceptions draw interest from the media."

He said since the end of the Vietnam War, a certain educated and wealthy class of Americans have felt an exemption for themselves and their children from contributing their fair share -- proportionate to their numbers -- to the defense of the nation.

"I certainly am not proud of the fact that for years, to me, the defense of our country was someone else's problem, never mine or my children's," Schaeffer said. "My 'Let them eat cake' attitude changed when my youngest son proved he was a better human being than me."

[FlyLow]

"I certainly am not proud of the fact that for years, to me, the defense of our country was someone else's problem, never mine or my children's," Schaeffer said. "My 'Let them eat cake' attitude changed when my youngest son proved he was a better human being than me."

---

I think this sums it up pretty well...how about your kids and grand kids? If I had either, I would "strongly encourage" them to join-up before going to college...it would change their lives and everyone around them too!

[Steely Glint]

The best place - period - to learn teamwork and responsibility is in the service.

[TEXASPROUD]

I only have my youngest in Baghdad at the moment. It stays in the back of my mind all the time. Keep him and rest of our men and women in your prayers.

[HighRoadToChina]

bump

[Joe Marine 76]

This is the second time that I have come across this story about Mr. Schaeffer and his son. Truly, I don't know if I'm happy for Mr. Schaeffer and his fellow "educated and well-heeled" and, I might add, affluent friends and neighbors or angry that they have been living in a virtual vacuum with regard as to exactly defends the freedoms we enjoy in our beloved USA.

The "North Shore" is not that far from the neighborhoods of Boston such as Alston-Brighton, East Boston, "Southie", Charlestown, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Plains, Dorchester, the North End and a few more whose names escape me right now. Did Mr. Schaeffer and his fellow "denizens of suburbia" ever hear or read about The Marine Barracks Bombing, Grenada, The Persian Gulf War or Vietnam? It was the sons and daughters of many second and third generation Americans living in these neighborhoods who were heeding the call to serve and, in many cases, made the "ultimate sacrifice."

I wonder if Mr. Schaeffer and his son would like to donate some of the royalties from their book and sudden "enlightenment" to the sons and daughters or grandchildren of those who made the ultimate sacrifice?

[Joe Marine 76]

ERRATUM:

...with regard as to exactly WHO defends the freedoms....

Bye-the-bye: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!

[tet68]

Be happy for Mr. Shaeffer, and for all of us too,
he finally gets IT.

The proud father of a Marine, bet he isn't shy about telling his friends any more, and it sounds like he
had been rethinking his positions, that's a good thing.

My father actually came to see me when I was at the rifle range, he was passing PI on business and talked his way in to see me, very unusual but he wasn't going to be able to come to my graduation and so convinced someone ( and all you marines know how hard that was) to let him come on base and see me.

Proud of my Father as he was of me.

I know my DI's were surprised as hell.

Ma came to graduation so they had the bases covered.

Semper Fi and to Mr. Shaeffer.....

Oooohrah!

[semaj]

I am the father of two daughters. I would not recommend the service for them or anyone else's daughter.

[FormerLib]

A ping for one of the most prolific Orthodox Christian writers in the US.

[FlyLow]

I am the father of two daughters. I would not recommend the service for them or anyone else's daughter.

---

Were you in the service? If your daughters are denied the oportunity to experience life to the fullest, will they be the super-stars you expect them to be. A female offficer in any of the armed forces is quite a wonder to perceive. If I had daughters, I would get them into ROTC and when graduated from college, get them a commission...they will have the time of their lives!

[FlyLow]

I only have my youngest in Baghdad at the moment. It stays in the back of my mind all the time. Keep him and rest of our men and women in your prayers.

---

Your son will be in the hearts and minds of millions of "right thinking" americans. We are proud of him and all who are there...they are the heroes of the future. Be proud, not afraid, he is not afraid and he will return to you if that is what is to be.

[semaj]

"Were you in the service?"

13 years of Service.

"If your daughters are denied the oportunity to experience life to the fullest, will they be the super-stars you expect them to be?..."

I don't consider military experience for women to be of any importance. On the contrary, I think it jeopardizes combat effectiveness/readiness and have witnessed first-hand how the presence of women in a unit demoralizes the troops. They would be better served to continue their college education and enter into any number of professions that are available to them. During my time, I saw enough to be dissuaded of the notion that the military is the place for any women.

[Mr Rogers]

I am the father of two daughters. The oldest (18) joined the Marine Corps just before her 18th birthday. She is currently studying aircraft avionics. She did well at the rifle range, and carried more than her 'fair share' of equipment during the marches. She's grown up, will bust her butt to do her duty, and is leading her class right now. No regrets. Just pride. Even if I am USAF all the way.

[eleni121]

I am glad that Mr. Schaeffer finally got it, too. Let's hope that his book has shed some light on his neighbors' self centeredness and shamed them into rethinking their smugness. In that respect I have to somewhat agree with that SOB - Rangell who wants to bring back the draft. Not a bad idea as it would create a level playing field among all classes.

[VOA]

I know I'm like a broken record, but here goes...

NOW HEAR THIS ALL LURKERS/POSTERS:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH IS THE DEADLINE for inexpensive Parcel Post mailing of miltary
care-packages to our BEST AND BRIGHTEST who will be stationed far from home for the holidays.
...some of these folks will be spending their first Thanksgiving, Christmas and
New Years away from home and family, in one of the about 160 countries...

TIME to:
SHOP
BOX
and
MAIL

for shipping advice, see threads at these URLs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003802/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/997310/posts

THAT IS ALL!
At Ease!

[VOA]

...my son's Marine brothers and sisters work in a multicultural meritocracy that
puts our best colleges to shame when it comes to equal opportunity and true integration,
let alone resolve and unselfish purpose

Being in academia, let me say AMEN to that 100% or more.

[VOA]

Hello Joe Marine 76,
I'm not an apologist for Mr. Schaeffer, but I've seen him and his son do a couple of
TV interview appearances.
I give the father credit for having the courage to speak up when he could have
not publically admitted that (contrary to his expectations) the USMC and
the US military ARE the place where more of the best-and-brightest should be
spending at least a few years.

I think the father also had another bit of a hill to climb before he could see
the light on this issue. I've not heard it said explicitly in interviews, but I think
he's the son of the Christian theologian Francis Schaeffer. I've guessed this
because the Marine's father said he was raised in Switzerland and Francis Schaeffer
had his religious colony/retreat in Switzerland.

[The_Reader_David]

Frank Schaeffer is indeed the son of Francis Schaeffer, by which fact hangs the other interesting father/son tale in that family: the son of one of the most influential protestant thinkers of his generation is now a notable Eastern Orthodox writer and speaker.

[VOA]

Frank Schaeffer is indeed the son of Francis Schaeffer...

1. Thanks for confirming my tentative linkage of father/son
2. Interesting side-bar about Frank Schaeffer's move to Eastern Orthodox...