Children of fallen troops get San Diego vacation

By: CRAIG TENBROECK - Staff Writer | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:12 AM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD -- In a meeting room at a Carlsbad hotel on Monday, nearly a half dozen children used stickers and pens to personalize tiny superhero capes.

"(They're) going to be heroes for the whole week," said supervisor James Clark, whose fledgling nonprofit organization, Guide On, kicked off a weeklong "camp" on Monday for children of fallen U.S troops.

While the girls scribbled nicknames such as "Star Girl" on their flashy new garments, the boys gravitated toward pictures of footballs, flames and checkered flags.

"These are good choices," said 6-year-old Jake Worrell, as he evaluated his decorations.

With mothers in tow, the youngsters, ages 3 to 9, traveled from as far as Texas and Florida to attend the first official Guide On event. Invitations were capped at 10 "to keep things small and personal," Clark said, "so we can really affect the lives of these kids."

Founded by Clark and his wife, Kristie, Guide On was designed as a mentorship program for children who lost a role model in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars.

The idea was born from tragedy -- the death in May 2006 of Clark's friend, Army Maj. Matt Worrell, a married father of two.

"We wanted to do something positive for these kids who don't have dads anymore," Clark said.

Volunteers such as Debbie Lee, the mother of Marc Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq, and Linnea Garcia-Tatupu, mother of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, signed up to help.

"It means so much to these families to know they're not forgotten," Lee said. "America hasn't forgotten."

The San Diego camp will resemble the typical Southern California vacation, with jaunts to SeaWorld, Legoland and the beach. Clark said he also has prepared arts and crafts activities and a scavenger hunt modeled after the television show "The Amazing Race."

Worrell's wife and sons will be the "honored family," Clark said.

"Our intent is just to spoil them with time, love and gifts," Clark said of the children.

During Monday's orientation, the children jogged around the room during an educational version of musical chairs and played with donated teddy bears.

"It's an unfortunate bond that we share, but it's nice to know you're not alone," said mother Sara Clark, whose husband, Gunnery Sgt. Michael Clark, died during his second tour in Iraq.

Sara, who is not related to James, said she signed up her girls, ages 6 and 9, for the San Diego camp after reading about the organization online.

"I really like James' message," she said. "It's very pure and straightforward. It gives us hope."

Clark said he would eventually like to see Guide On host monthly leadership events, and he plans to keep in touch with the children as they grow up.

"It would be so rewarding for us to get a high school graduation announcement, or a wedding announcement in 20 years," Clark said. "Then we'll know we did a good job with this."

-- Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 631-6621 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.

Related Links:

For more information, visit http://www.guideon.org

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