Photo By Sgt. Nicole Kojetin | Waving at his son, Staff Sgt. Ronald Rora, a medic from Headquarters Company, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Nicole Kojetin
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – His eyes searched the sea of jewel-colored robes for his son just like any other father would do on graduation day, but instead of doing it from the stands surrounded by his family, he was sitting in a conference room in the Multi-National Division – Baghdad headquarters building watching the ceremony on a television.
Prior to the Killeen High School's graduation ceremony, May 27, Staff Sgt. Ronald Rora had laughed outside talking about how he was worried this day would never come, joking with the other fathers about what he was going to convert his newly-graduated son's room into.
But eventually, the truth came out.
"I am totally proud of him," he said after talking to his family via video teleconference. "He's been a 'brainiac' throughout school. He has always done really well in school. He worked really hard to get this far."
Domonique Rora was enrolled in a college "prep" program at Killeen High School and spent many nights staying up doing homework until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning.
The hard work was obvious when he walked across the stage with his smile beaming as the announcer read off the scholarships he earned for college.
Thousands of miles away, his dad was smiling just as big as he waved into the camera hoping that his son could see him.
Rora's family is used to him being gone by now. His first tour to Iraq ended just six months prior to coming over for this deployment.
"If we are extended, that means I will have spent three Thanksgivings, three Christmas's and three News Year's in a row over here," said Rora, who is a medic for Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. "It's hard, but I think it is harder on them."
He tries to call every other day to let his family know that he is okay. While his family may be used to absence, that doesn't necessarily make it any easier. Big milestones such this graduation day remind the 16-year Army veteran how much he misses his family.
"I really wish that I was able to spend more time with him through the years. That is my regret," said the Jacksonville, Fla., native.
In his many military absences, his wife, Denise, has been "holding down the fort" at home. As he watched his son cross the stage, he knew, much of the credit goes to her.
"When kids are little they just deal with (the moves and the military life). They are just resilient and bounce back so easily," he said. "When they get older, they start to act out. She has been the one that has had to deal with that the most."
Though he already knew that she was doing a great job, watching his son graduate confirmed it.
"She's done the bulk of the work," he said. "I would just come in every once in a while."
In two years, his second son, Bryant, will be graduating from high school and Rora hopes that he will be able to be there in person.
"I really wanted to be there for this one," Rora said. "I am glad I (was) able to watch it, though. Hopefully, I will be there for the next one."
Domonique is leaving for college on a full scholarship to the University of Florida. Rora plans on being retired, and in the audience in person, by the time Domonique graduates again.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2007 10:20 |
| Story ID: | 10650 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 101 |
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