For Rolaine Stoddard from East Concord, the NFL protests during the playing of the National Anthem are a "hard slap in the face." Stoddard is one of the many military families that suffer in silence while their service member children face dangers around the globe.
Rolaine's son, James, is now a disabled veteran who was medically retired from the U.S. Navy after injuries he suffered from explosions while James served as a medic with front-line Marine Corps units in Iraq and Afghanistan during 2010-2012.
Her daughter, Jessica, is currently a U.S. Army captain stationed in Germany. However, Jessica barely escaped injury when she flew out of the Brussels Airport, Belgium about 20 minutes before terrorists bombs exploded in March 2016.
Rolaine Stoddard said she cries when no one is around because of the grief she has experienced as a military mom. Her one moment that made it seem like the sacrifices were worthwhile was when NFL stadiums filled with fans would stand during the National Anthem in unison - a moment that she said was stolen from her by the protests.
Stoddard is now speaking out on behalf of military families. She wants the NFL and the players who are protesting to realize how much pain they are causing families that are sacrificing.
Tonight at 5 & 6, 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly talks with Stoddard.
