Bring our girl HOME!

Hi Friends.

Its been some time. 

I wanted to reach out to those of you wanting to help Madison. 

Thank you from the depths of my heart!!

 Below is just s small portion of her story with a few dates that may be helpful.

As many of you know, our daughter Madison Harris enlisted into the United States Marine corps January 28, 2019. At a fragile age of 18, she never looked back. She arrived late that evening, stepped onto those famous yellow footprints and set out to reach her dream. Her dad and I marveled at how strong she was both physically and mentally. When other parents were receiving letters of despair, Madison was thriving! we rejoiced that our daughter had finally found her place and was working towards her dream. Fast forward to March, we received a call. The call no parent wants to hear. "Mom.. I've been hurt". She had been training injured for weeks before her injuries won and took her down. She was then moved to a female medical platoon (FRP). There she received medical care and waited for her body to heal. Her spirits were down but her eye was on her goal. For months she sat on her foot locker waiting. She received the green light to start strength  training only to be told her Tibia was fractured and she returned to medical. After months of waiting, it was apparent that in Madison's best interest, she return home to compete her healing. Weeks passed and she sat waiting. Finally she was seen by the medical board and it was felt as though things would move on. They didn't. Somehow, Madison fell between the cracks. The system failed her on a daily basis. She was denied permission to seek out a counselor and was told to wait. 

   Following weeks of no contact, we received a letter from Madison. She did not sound well and was crying out for help. She had hit a brick wall.My concern quickly moved from physical health to her mental state. Our daughter is as strong as they come but a human can only take so much. I loaded my car, her letter in hand, and drove 12 hours to Parris Island. I arrived late Friday and was given access to the Island where I just took in the base. The next morning, I once again arrived and was denied access onto the island once they found out the purpose of my visit. I explained that I was not there to retrieve our daughter but merely there to share my concerns with those that were in contact with our her. A  head of medical met me at the gates and reviewed Madison's letter and allowed Madison to call me hours later. It was then Madison told me she would be home in two weeks. That was nine weeks ago.September 18 she was finally  moved from medical to( RSP) recruit separation platoon. This process normally takes a week to two weeks to depart. Madison is still there... waiting once again. Her hold up now is pending on a class needed. Because she has been held for so long, she is now being handled in the same fashion a retiring Marine would. Today marks her 247 th day on Parris Island. No contact with family or the outside world other than letters. I spoke with a Sgt. there and she pretty much confirmed our facts... The Marine Corps failed our daughter. She was pushed to the side and forgotten for so long, now she is having to endure longer discharge waits. As of today, we were advised that there is no date set for her needed class and our request to visit her has been denied. All of this to say, our system is broken at the cost of young Americans wanting to do the right thing.  She waits..247 days and counting.

For those of you willing to help us be Madison's voice, I will included an address and telephone number to our Senator's office. If you are led to help, you can do so by sending a letter or simply calling their office. If you call, please leave a voice mail including Madison's name and a short reason for the call. Maybe if we bombard their phone lines, we WILL be heard. We need to shed some light on this broken system. her father and I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and assistance.

Office of U.S Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Fax # (225)929-7688
Phone # (225) 929-7711

Senator Cassidy
5555 Hilton Ave, Suite 100
Baton Rouge, La. 70808