Some the greatest moments in our lives occur in places far from home. For Mark Roper, it was Building #2803 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, at 1930 hrs, as he was officially promoted from Captain to Major. In the back room, amongst fellow officers, the orders were read as his Commander cut the old rank of Captain from his collar.

"Attention to Orders: The Army has reposed special trust, confidence, fidelity, and patriotism in Mark E. Roper and therefore promotes him from the rank of Captain to Major."

As the words echoed off of the cinder block walls, Major Roper stood proudly at attention, as his new rank was pinned to his collar... pinned by his son, Specialist Scott Roper. A father and son, in the same unit, both deploying together to Afghanistan.

"I'm honored." A simple response by Specialist Roper that summed up the admiration that both he and his father share for one other.

Major Mark Roper is a former Marine who has been a member of the National Guard for the past 18 years. A resident of Bale, Texas, this is his second deployment, having previously deployed to the Sinai. He functions as the S5, or, Public Affairs Officer for the SECFOR Battalion.

Specialist Scott Roper joined the Army in 2000. At 24 years old, he has now served on two previous deployments, one to Kuwait in 2003 and, one to Baghdad in 2004. Hearing of the current deployment through his father, Specialist Roper made the decision to deploy for a third time.

"It was something I have always wanted to do, to go on a deployment with my father... He told me about the deployment and from that point I did what I could to get into the unit... I just made it in time...I've been looking forward to it for awhile."

In a time when families are divided by the distance and obligations of war, it is a rare thing to find a father and son extending the bonds of their relationship to the trials of military service and combat. Father and son relationships are unique. They demand a measure of growth that is unlike any other, as the father becomes a student, and the son a man. It is a success measured by respect and understanding, and the appreciation of equality. In an environment such as the military, a father and son relationship also demands an clear understanding of boundaries. They must function first as soldiers. For Major Mark Roper, and Specialist Scott Roper, these foundations seem to have already been established. It is an experience for them that they choose to share, and from it grow together. In words as direct and as simple as those stated by his son, Major Roper encapsulated it all, "I'm proud."

From Captain to Major; from father to son. May they both come home safe.

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Copyright, Scott Kesterson- 2006

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