Stories

Mary Lou Keester, left, and Thea Welke founded the Marine Moms of the Quad-Cities, a support group for the mothers of current or soon-to-be Marines in the Davenport, Iowa, area in April 2005. With many wary mothers and fathers urging their children to avoid military service, Marine recruiters in the area refer parents to Welke and Keester, who offer to share their own experiences about having kids in the Corps. (Photo taken May 11, 2005, by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon) - Mary Lou Keester, left, and Thea Welke founded the Marine Moms of the Quad-Cities, a support group for the mothers of current or soon-to-be Marines in the Davenport, Iowa, area in April 2005. With many wary mothers and fathers urging their children to avoid military service, Marine recruiters in the area refer parents to Welke and Keester, who offer to share their own experiences about having kids in the Corps. (Photo taken May 11, 2005, by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon)

Sgt. Richard A. Davenport speaks to a newly graduated student while canvassing at a mall in Fort Wayne, Ind. The recruiting mission has become more difficult over the past few months because of sustained operations overseas. Because of this, recruiters are educating themselves and training harder to address concerns of applicants and parents. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine) - Sgt. Richard A. Davenport speaks to a newly graduated student while canvassing at a mall in Fort Wayne, Ind. The recruiting mission has become more difficult over the past few months because of sustained operations overseas. Because of this, recruiters are educating themselves and training harder to address concerns of applicants and parents. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine)