A Sacrifice, And A Gift To The Troops

Maureen O'Haire of Rockland, Mass., supports the troops, and not in the patronizing, bumper-sticker sort of way. She really supports the troops.

Specifically, the Marines, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reports.

And in particular, a platoon of soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. O'Haire has given them so much - starting with her son.

Last year, just before his 21st birthday, Lance Cpl. Walter O'Haire was killed in Iraq.

"God has a date we come in and a date we leave," O'Haire said. "And Wally did what he had to do and it was time to go back."

Obviously, you can't ask for anything more from a Gold Star mom. But that proud Irish woman wanted to give more anyway.

Using the $20,000 death benefit she got from the government, O'Haire offered to fly the whole platoon for a St. Patrick's Day bash in Boston. She welcomed them like family … exactly like family.

"You bring all that mud in my house I'm kicking your ass," she said to one of the Marines.

"They come into my home and they're just like having my other kids around," she told Hartman.

O'Haire is widowed with eight other kids. She certainly had plenty of other ways to use that $20,000 - and yet she chose to spend it on the boys her son served with - for three days she put them up in a nice hotel, and took them all to church with her.

And she made sure they got the royal treatment wherever they went. She even got 'em a spot in the big Boston St. Patrick's Day parade.

Did they have a good time? What do you think?

"I was amazed," one of the Marines said. "I mean this is just overwhelming."

"She's probably one of the most amazing women I've ever met in my life," another said. "If a mother can cope with such a loss so well, I know I can do it too."

It's the message - the gift - O'Haire was hoping these boys would leave with.

"Men and women leave the service and they're very hurt because they lost good friends. And I don't want these guys to regret that Wally died," If these guys walk away and they remember Wally and not grieve - it will make me happy."

[janicerogovin]

You only live once. In my opinion, if your son dies in Iraq, it's more important to fly up his troop for St. Patrick's Day than to pay the bank your mortgage.

Generally I don't believe that two wrongs make a right, but in this case, I do. If Dick Cheney can rip the citizens of the US off through Haliburton, then why can't a mother who lost her Marine son?

[rockstar4341]

As A Marine who was present for that weekend, I must say I have never felt more proud to wear the uniform. Ms. O''Haire is a shining example of an American mother. She was not concerned for herself, instead she was worried that the Marines who served with her son but came back when he didn''t would feel somehow guilty. Thus her generous gift.

To hear a Mom who lost a son celebrate his memory by embracing his comrades was a beautiful act I will never forget.

Add to that the fact that Boston was behind these Marines from the second they stepped off the plane, and you have a weekend that none of these Devil Dogs will ever forget.

To zootallures2...I guess anyone who is patriotic and willing to make sacrifices for this country must have a message that is "Fishy propaganda...." Or maybe it was the fact that the media covered a story that could have been tragic but instead was made heartwarming. I don''t suppose you like to hear anything good come from the military community.

Semper Fi and thank you Steve, your cameraman, Ms. O''Haire, and the City of Boston.

[theoldmarine]

Oh Steve by the way Wally O''haire was a Marine not a soldier.
Semper Fi

[theoldmarine]

Hello,
Mam you have done a wonderful thing for these jarheads. We in this country need more people like you . It seems to many Americans forget how we came by these freedoms and take it for granted.
Thank You
Billy C

[armydog2]

Way to go Mom, you are a truly wonderful woman. God bless you and your family.
My son is currently serving in Iraq, he is a Specialist in the US Army. This is his second deployment there.These kids are the very best. Proud Army Mom

[bb19631]

What a nice story. God be with that mother.

[zootallures2]

Fishy propaganda....

[hoopersports]

This is such a great thing to read and hear about. This women and the troops that serve this great country make me proud to be an American. God bless her son and the U.S. Military who have, and currently are fighting for this country.

[usmc-jth-mom]

... and then there are angels like YOU Maureen, that God puts here on this earth with us and He graces us all with your amazing presence and leadership for many years. I will look forward to meeting your honorable son in Heaven one day. In the meantime, you will be in my prayers.

[usmc-jth-mom]

In your headlines I would ask that you please show the respect deserved toward all of our honorable troops. Marines refer to themselves as marines and they hold the highest regard for their follow troops ... sailors, airmen, and soldiers. Please educate your journalists and editors about the distinctions and pride these men and women feel about their respective chosen branches of military services. Also note this is a distinction in terminology that is held throughout military forces around the world, not only the United States military. If your journalists might happen to refer to "the soldiers of the sea" in a story, then we would be clear that it was the marines they were referring to and honor would be upheld for both the sailors and the marines, but this is different than your headline. Thanks for considering the prideful thoughts of another United States Marine Corps mother who holds ALL of our military personnel, past and present, in the highest esteem and ALWAYS in my prayers!