October 23rd - Cathy Chapman

Cathy Chapman was a 20-year-old Midwesterner when she married her husband Greg. During the 1970’s and early 1980’s Greg was worked for an oil company based in Oklahoma. The family had food on the table, insurance and a bright future. According to Cathy, times were good.

But then in 1985 Greg was laid off and left with no money from which to provide for his family. Cathy says she still deeply admires the sacrifices he made, and said the decisions were the result of some thin times when options weren’t available to them.

Cathy Chapman in Dothan, Al on October 23rd, 2008

“We had next to no money, no insurance, and the boys were both younger than five years old,” Cathy said. “He said he knew that he had to provide for us, so he enlisted in the Army in 1987 and I was left with the kids while he went to Basic (Training).”

Cathy was concerned with her husband’s safety and wanted to make sure if he did enter that he wouldn’t be a “gun bunny.” Greg enlisted and was assigned the largely administrative role of Chaplain’s assistant. According to Cathy, Greg prospered in his role and soon became a recruiter for the Army, a position he’s held for more than 18 years.

“Oh, he’s excellent,” said Cathy. “Right now they got kids beating down the doors. There’s no jobs in the South and these kids gotta take care of their families. He’s been stressed with all the work, but he’s got more time for golf because his stations are hitting their numbers.”

Cathy said she understands why so many of the kids aren’t hesitating to enlist despite the risk of being deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or other hot spots around the world.

“For Greg the moment came when our older boy got a bone caught in his throat and we were uninsured. It only cost 80 bucks, but he thought we needed to improve our lot,” Cathy said. “It’s the same feeling these boys have, they do the same we did and get the free medical, a house for their wife and good pay.”

Cathy is grateful for the military and what it has provided her family, but is concerned with the health care issue for families not fortunate to have government health care. She said that no matter what tough economic times hit, children should always have access to health care, no exceptions. She knows the candidates want to do what is best, but when she looks to all the people she knows without care for their children and she gets upset.

“Those kids are helpless and its our responsibility as neighbors to take care of them.”

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