Two children of GWOT veterans are among those crafting the vision for the memorial. They are the special guests in this episode of the GWOT Memorial Foundation’s “Welcome Home” series.
Not just veterans but family members are also helping guide the concept and design for the memorial in their honor, a project led by the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation.
After all, family members also sacrifice while loved ones are serving, often on long deployments. Two children of GWOT veterans are among those helping bring the memorial to reality. They are the special guests in the final episode of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s initial six-part special podcast series, “Welcome Home,” produced by The American Legion. The series is hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou.
The guests, who both serve on the foundation’s Design Advisory Council (DAC), are:
• Jacob Rodríguez, the son of GWOT Memorial Foundation CEO Michael Rodriguez, who is a proud member of a military family with an extensive history of service. Inspired by his great-grandparents, grandparents, parents and brother, Rodríguez intends on serving in the Army to continue the tradition and fight in the Global War on Terrorism to protect Americans and others around the world.
• Eddie Loredo, Ballou’s son, is a Gold Star Child who, at a young age, lost his father in the Global War on Terrorism. He finds comfort and strength through sharing his story to honor not only his father, but everyone who has been impacted by the fight against terrorism. Loredo, a high school senior, is considering joining the Army.
Rodríguez, who is currently studying nursing in college, plans to join the military later like both his parents and older brother. “They come back with injuries, with problems,” he says. “But they always bounce back stronger. It’s definitely inspired me a bit to join the military.”
He knows the ups and downs of life for military families.
One day the family went out to eat at Chik-Fil-A, which they did routinely, the restaurant mascot was there so they decided to take a picture with the character who revealed himself.
“It turned out to be my brother, which was pretty cool and surprised me and probably everyone,” Rodriguez recalls. “I was surprised but happy to have him home. There were times when he was deployed … it was that feeling that he was somewhere dangerous right now and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him. It was good to have him home again.”
Loredo lost his father at age 2. “Growing up without a dad seemed normal to me,” he says. “We definitely moved quite a bit. It was interesting to adapt school-wise, social-wise, in different schools, different states. It affected me in a positive way so that if you put me in any situation, I can adapt a lot easier than other people.”
Ballou continued to serve until Loredo turned 7 or 8. “I remember always having a baby-sitter around because you were protecting our country,” he recalls.
Rodríguez represents children of GWOT veterans on the DAC as does Loredo who also represents those who lost a parent in the war.
“I was excited because he asked me to contribute to this memorial for a whole bunch of people,” Rodriguez recalls of when his father asked him to be a part of it. “It’s a weight but it’s a good responsibility to contribute to something so massive and meaningful. I am just grateful to be part of it.”
Loredo recalls exactly when and where his mom asked him to be a DAC member.
“I remember immediately being lit up and being so excited to be able to work with so many people with a similar story to mine,” he recalls. “It just felt really nice. It made me feel so special to represent Gold Star kids and family members.”
Loredo is on board with the elder Rodriguez’s vision for the council.
“He wants to get everyone’s say in it,” Loredo explains. “It’s not just for the people who fought for our country, it extends into the homes of the family like Gold Star kids. It’s not just one person fighting the war.”
When the younger Rodriguez thinks about his first visit to the finished memorial, he projects that he would feel “like you are meant to be there. And being able to stand there and take everything in while it’s quiet.”
For Loredo, he envisions feeling “a sense of comfort, like I’m at home.”
Each episode is available at legion.org/tangoalphalima, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast-hosting sites.
- Tango Alpha Lima