Mother, Marine Son Share Moment At Tulsa Concert To Honor Service Members

Green Country's military men and women were the guests of honor in Tulsa Tuesday night.

ORU and Oklahoma's Blue Star Mothers hosted a military appreciation concert for troops and their families at the Maybee Center.

Around a 1,000 people attended the free concert. Many people were celebrating the return from deployment, but one family was preparing to say goodbye.

The United States Army Field band and Soldiers Chorus brought out families from all over Green Country.

For the Herandy Family from McAlester, these mother and son moments don't last long enough.

"This is probably the last time I'll be home in a year and a half," said PFC Cody Herandy, U.S. Marines.

While some of the honored guests at the free concert just returned from deployment, PFC Cody will soon leave. He's heading to Afghanistan in a matter of months.

"Going through boot camp and everything, they basically took my emotions away from me," he joked. "If I do have emotions it hasn't hit me yet."

The 18-year-old Marine made the trip to Tulsa from McAlester with his mom. She's a Blue Star Mother coming to terms with watching her baby boy be brave far from home.

"My oldest son served two terms in Iraq, and those were gut wrenching. But when we dropped our youngest off for boot camp I cried all the way home," Blue Star Mother Mary Herandy said.

That's why ORU and Oklahoma Blue Star Mother put the concert together: To thank those coming home, those leaving home and the families who endure the process.

And support on the home front can go a long way.

"There are some things I don't understand about how much people appreciate me, but it stills feel good," Cody Herandy said.

The Herandys know nothing can stop the goodbyes, but right now their enjoying their time and music together.

During the military appreciation concert there was a tribute to families of Oklahoma fallen service members.