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Do IT this week: Layering
By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 06:46 p.m. EST, Nov 24, 2009
This Thanksgiving will be the best and most memorable for Akron's Elmer and Yvette Mahone and their family.
That's because Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahone, who escaped serious injury in Afghanistan, will be at the dinner table.
The Mahones haven't seen their son since February. He's due in late Wednesday.
''I'll be the one offering grace this year,'' Marcus said during an interview from Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Marcus, 22, is a combat engineer — a gunner. He was riding atop a truck in Afghanistan a few months ago when it rolled over an improvised explosive device.
''It blew off the front fender and the tires out,'' he said. ''We were all hit. But the important thing is that we all came out OK and all came back together.''
Marcus' back was injured, but it was nothing good medicine and a little rest couldn't fix.
Understandably, he's reluctant to share much more. A strategy, whether President Barack Obama should increase or decrease troop levels in Afghanistan, wasn't even up for discussion.
Marcus will be the first to tell you that before joining the Marines, he was on his way to taking the wrong road in life.
But a little talk — a question, really — that came from a most unlikely source quietly turned him around.
It was his then-7-year-old niece Jada Haines who asked one day, ''Why are you sitting around all day and wearing the same clothes?''
''It was true. I was almost 20 and out of school [he graduated from Akron's Central-Hower High School]. Nobody was hiring and I was doing nothing good with my life,'' he said, revisiting that exchange. ''Just hanging out was getting old.''
As hard as Marcus tried, he couldn't shake how he must have looked in her eyes. Less than a man.
Determined, he said, to do something about it and to give Jada another positive male role model to look up to besides his father (Elmer Mahone), Marcus quietly carved out a new course — an honorable one, he said.
He joined the Marines.
That was a year and a half ago.
''I was a little upset at first when he sat us down to tell us what he'd done,'' his mother, Yvette Mahone, said. ''I told him, 'You could lose your life!'
''He said, 'Yes. But I could lose my life on these streets. And for nothing. If I die fighting for my country at least it would be for something.' ''
''I was upset and proud at the same time,'' said Elmer Mahone, reflecting on his son's words.
''But he took the initiative to really change things,'' Elmer Mahone continued. ''It's the best thing he's done. It's a little scary, he says. And for us, too. I pray three to four times a day.''
The elder Mahone works for the Akron Municipal Housing Authority, as does his wife, and Elmer also works as a promoter and a youth basketball coach at Summit Lake.
''Marcus told me a couple of weeks ago, 'Before, I never liked not fitting in. Like me running around in sandals when everyone else was in tennis shoes. Now I don't mind being the odd one. I know now I'm a man and I don't have to fit with anybody.' ''
No make-believe warrior anymore. And no longer at war with himself. Marcus Mahone is the real deal and for the right reason.
An equally proud aunt, Charity Davis of Akron — who e-mailed me about her nephew — shared a little of the back story:
''He grew up in central Akron, played basketball at Summit Lake for several years. . . . He did a lot of the typical teenager things and made some mistakes. But since joining the Marine Corps he has become such a different person. . . . His mother and I are working hard to plan a very special Thanksgiving Day dinner.''
The family will eat at noon, a throwback to when Elmer Mahone's grandmother — a diabetic who had to eat at a certain time — was alive.
As he anticipates taking his place at the table, which will be lined with all of his favorite Thanksgiving Day foods — turkey and dressing, greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato pie and rolls — Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahone isn't yet sure what he'll say when all heads are bowed.
''I just know I have so much to be thankful for,'' he said.
''That he is coming home is such a miracle to me,'' his mother rejoiced.
Yet another miracle to me is the journey and the passion that went into making the Mahones a family.
''We met when we were in the [Summit County] Children's Home,'' Yvette Mahone noted.
''I was 15 and he was turning 16.''
So this coming-of-age story — especially at Thanksgiving — just goes to show that all things are possible if you believe, if you stay focused and work hard.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
This Thanksgiving will be the best and most memorable for Akron's Elmer and Yvette Mahone and their family.
That's because Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahone, who escaped serious injury in Afghanistan, will be at the dinner table.
The Mahones haven't seen their son since February. He's due in late Wednesday.
''I'll be the one offering grace this year,'' Marcus said during an interview from Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Marcus, 22, is a combat engineer — a gunner. He was riding atop a truck in Afghanistan a few months ago when it rolled over an improvised explosive device.
''It blew off the front fender and the tires out,'' he said. ''We were all hit. But the important thing is that we all came out OK and all came back together.''
Marcus' back was injured, but it was nothing good medicine and a little rest couldn't fix.
Understandably, he's reluctant to share much more. A strategy, whether President Barack Obama should increase or decrease troop levels in Afghanistan, wasn't even up for discussion.
Marcus will be the first to tell you that before joining the Marines, he was on his way to taking the wrong road in life.
But a little talk — a question, really — that came from a most unlikely source quietly turned him around.
It was his then-7-year-old niece Jada Haines who asked one day, ''Why are you sitting around all day and wearing the same clothes?''
''It was true. I was almost 20 and out of school [he graduated from Akron's Central-Hower High School]. Nobody was hiring and I was doing nothing good with my life,'' he said, revisiting that exchange. ''Just hanging out was getting old.''
As hard as Marcus tried, he couldn't shake how he must have looked in her eyes. Less than a man.
Determined, he said, to do something about it and to give Jada another positive male role model to look up to besides his father (Elmer Mahone), Marcus quietly carved out a new course — an honorable one, he said.
He joined the Marines.
That was a year and a half ago.
''I was a little upset at first when he sat us down to tell us what he'd done,'' his mother, Yvette Mahone, said. ''I told him, 'You could lose your life!'
''He said, 'Yes. But I could lose my life on these streets. And for nothing. If I die fighting for my country at least it would be for something.' ''
''I was upset and proud at the same time,'' said Elmer Mahone, reflecting on his son's words.
''But he took the initiative to really change things,'' Elmer Mahone continued. ''It's the best thing he's done. It's a little scary, he says. And for us, too. I pray three to four times a day.''
The elder Mahone works for the Akron Municipal Housing Authority, as does his wife, and Elmer also works as a promoter and a youth basketball coach at Summit Lake.
''Marcus told me a couple of weeks ago, 'Before, I never liked not fitting in. Like me running around in sandals when everyone else was in tennis shoes. Now I don't mind being the odd one. I know now I'm a man and I don't have to fit with anybody.' ''
No make-believe warrior anymore. And no longer at war with himself. Marcus Mahone is the real deal and for the right reason.
An equally proud aunt, Charity Davis of Akron — who e-mailed me about her nephew — shared a little of the back story:
''He grew up in central Akron, played basketball at Summit Lake for several years. . . . He did a lot of the typical teenager things and made some mistakes. But since joining the Marine Corps he has become such a different person. . . . His mother and I are working hard to plan a very special Thanksgiving Day dinner.''
The family will eat at noon, a throwback to when Elmer Mahone's grandmother — a diabetic who had to eat at a certain time — was alive.
As he anticipates taking his place at the table, which will be lined with all of his favorite Thanksgiving Day foods — turkey and dressing, greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato pie and rolls — Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahone isn't yet sure what he'll say when all heads are bowed.
''I just know I have so much to be thankful for,'' he said.
''That he is coming home is such a miracle to me,'' his mother rejoiced.
Yet another miracle to me is the journey and the passion that went into making the Mahones a family.
''We met when we were in the [Summit County] Children's Home,'' Yvette Mahone noted.
''I was 15 and he was turning 16.''
So this coming-of-age story — especially at Thanksgiving — just goes to show that all things are possible if you believe, if you stay focused and work hard.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 08:08 PM, 11/24/2009
What a great story, great family! Thank you so much for sharing your story..and Thank you young man for all you have done for your country!
akron, oh
Posted 10:16 PM, 11/24/2009
Good story it's nice to read something inspirational for once. So sick of hearing about the animals in this world and the havoc they cause. Thanks to all of the troops serving our country. You are all Heroes and we are proud of you and thankful you are protecting us. Many of us take for granted the country we live in but if it were not for guys like Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahone this country would be far different! Thank you and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. You are appreciated.
Posted 10:26 PM, 11/24/2009
Thank you Cpl. Mahone for your service to our country.
Posted 10:41 PM, 11/24/2009
Nice life changing story from beginning to end. I am glad you are coming home, Marcus. From one Marine to another, Semper Fidelis my brother - OOOHRAH!. My brothers-in-law serve. The Marine, 21, is already there, and his brother, the Soldier, 19, is going after Christmas. We pray they have a safe return as well. To all our Veterans, active or otherwise, thank you and be safe!
Posted 11:40 PM, 11/24/2009
Best story I've read in the ABJ all year. Well done Marine, well done.
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:11 AM, 11/25/2009
This is a fine young man from a wonderful family. I love you guys, Marcus I hope to see you Sunday. Enjoy coming home and send that quality time with Jada....
Love you Ms. Renae
Akron, OH
Posted 07:56 AM, 11/25/2009
Good luck Marcus and thank you for your service.
Posted 08:01 AM, 11/25/2009
Welcome home, Lance Cpl. Mahone! God bless you and your family. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. I give thanks for you and your unselfish service to our country and its citizens. May God protect you as you protect us at home.
Canton, OH
Posted 08:09 AM, 11/25/2009
God Bless the Mahone family. Marcus - Jada definately has someone to look up to and be proud of.
Thank you for your service - I hope you and your family have a wonderful thanksgiving.
Prayer to those families that have loved ones overseas that will not be able to share Thanksgiving with them.
Posted 08:29 AM, 11/25/2009
I'm so proud of Marcus! Great story ABJ, way to highlight our heros!
Green, OH
Posted 09:43 AM, 11/25/2009
What a way to start my day, reading this wonderful article - thank you the Mahone family for sharing something inspiring and wonderful as this. Marcus, thank you for being one of the strong ones to want better for yourself. You would be an inspiration to all young men who sit at the fork in the road wondering which way to go. And thank you for doing what you do every day to protect our country. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Posted 09:49 AM, 11/25/2009
To LCpl. Mahone and family - Happy Thanksgiving! I am so please for all of you that Marcus will be able to be home for this holiday with you.
And to Marcus - great job with turning your life around and being a role model for what is good in our world. We all have people like you to thank for our great freedoms. Thank you for your service and keep up the good work.
mogadore, oh
Posted 11:26 AM, 11/25/2009
END THIS WAR !!!!!!! NOW !!!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:13 PM, 11/25/2009
Thank you so much to Lance Cpl. Mahone!! I hope that you, your family and loved ones have a great and blessed holiday this year. My family will be one short at the table this year because my baby sister is on Parris Island for Boot camp, lol! Most of us don't understand how it feels to have a loved one who is giving their life to protect ours but I do so Thank You SOOOO much for what you have done and are going to do for our country and your fellow Marines!! Congratulations on your new life and Good Luck God will bless you and your family.
akron, oh
Posted 06:40 PM, 11/25/2009
A hero comes home; very cool!
