Linda Ober / The Citizen

Story:

AUBURN -- As her daughter passed by in Auburn's Memorial Day parade Monday, Amy McCormick flailed her arms and snapped a photo.

"Hi, Bethany!" McCormick shouted to the 14-year-old Auburn High School colorguard member.

Bethany's eyes darted to the side. She gave a half smile and looked away as she continued walking and waving her red, white and blue flag.

Ah, teenagers.

Standing to McCormick's side was another Bethany fan -- her brother, U.S. Army Pfc. Thomas Matthew McCormick.

Thomas, 20, once participated in the parade as a member of the high school marching band. He enlisted in the Army a year ago and is now stationed in Hawaii.

He is on leave until early June, and though the date is yet to be determined, will soon be going to Iraq.

"It brings it all into perspective," McCormick said as she watched the parade amble down Genesee Street, her homemade navy blue "Proud to be the mother of a soldier" T-shirt standing out from others' patriotic paraphernalia. "There's a reason why we have this freedom."

As members from local associations passed by, representing veterans from WWI to Iraq, McCormick spoke of her son's past and future. He had talked about wanting to serve his country since he was 5 years old and is very mature for his age (he has always been "going on 40," McCormick joked).

Though at first it was very difficult to swallow his decision to enlist, and though she has moments of fear for her son, her pride in him overrides it all. After all, she said, it takes a special kind of person to protect our country.

"I've had people say, 'How can you let your child go (to Iraq)?' " McCormick said. "How can I not?"

Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Citizen.