Posted on 02/06/2005 7:58:31 PM PST by Former Military Chick
Law school student Kathryn Ostapuk is fast becoming an authority on the favorite brand of baby wipes of U.S. troops in Iraq.
The practical needs of the military are constantly on her mind.
In the past year, the 24-year-old San Diego woman has spent hundreds of hours helping military families get advice on things such as dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and welcoming service members home from overseas tours.
Ostapuk does this as a volunteer for the nonprofit MarineParents.com website.
As a young military wife, she knows firsthand how overwhelming it is to wonder whether a serviceman or woman is safe. And she knows how painful telephone blackouts can be.
Her husband, Marine Cpl. John Sylvester, recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. "Without this site, I honestly believe I would have fallen apart while he was there," she said.
Now her mission is to make sure other wives, girlfriends, parents and friends survive the ordeal of having a loved one in a combat zone overseas.
Ostapuk's efforts have come to the attention of President Bush, who in December held a private ceremony at Miramar Naval Air Station to congratulate her for her dedication.
"He thanked me for everything I do for the military. He said he will do everything he can for them too," she recalled. Bush presented her with the President's Volunteer Service Award, part of a program to increase the spirit of volunteerism in America.
Ostapuk was nominated for the honor by MarineParents.com's founder, Tracy Della Vecchia of Missouri.
"I'm actually a Democrat," Ostapuk said, chuckling. But Bush's people "didn't ask about that when they called me."
After Sylvester was deployed to Iraq a year ago, Ostapuk felt adrift emotionally.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I am sure there are some decent democrats out there, look at Zell Miller.
I actually found out while preparing my fathers tribute that he was appointed to West Point by ... a democrat. Horrors. Dad was a die hard Republican.
It's unlikely that she will be able to remain a Democrat.
This experience is likely to awaken her conservative roots.
Zell Miller is old school
And there was many a decent Democrat in the old school.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.