Naval daughter part of military family legacy

“My daughter is a water baby. Always has been. She was part of the Sea Scouts group here in town for four years. She got certified in scuba when she was 14. She learned how to sail small boats and big boats. Her uncle has a place in Martha’s Vineyard. When they spend time up there in the summer, they sail and stuff.

“I wasn’t surprised when she decided to join the Navy. She wanted to do something where she could make a difference and also get help with school so she wouldn’t end up having debt.

“We have tons of military in our family. One brother retired after 26 1/2 years in the Army. My sister served six years in the Air Force. My other brother spent 11 years in the Army Reserve. My brother-in-law retired from the Air Force after 20 years. I had cousins in various branches. I have an uncle who was wounded in the Korean War and is paraplegic from his injury. All the uncles on my dad’s side served in every branch there is. My dad couldn’t serve because he had a disc missing in his back, but he wanted to. My niece’s husband is in the Marines. And my third son was in the Army Reserve, but he’s out now.

“So serving in the military was always on the table for my daughter. It always was talked about and was an option. Besides my sister, though, it wasn’t something that women in our family did. It was just boys who went. But I’m glad she has the mindset that she can do whatever she wants, whether it’s something females traditionally would do or not. I’m really glad she’s like that.

“I had considered it at one point. But my path was really different from hers, and it just didn’t happen. In hindsight, I kind of wish I would have. I think it would have been good for me.”

— Lara Capson

Lara is a process technology instructor at Lee College. Her daughter, Eileen McCafferty, is serving a six-year commitment in the Navy.