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| Press Release |
Date: Sept. 20, 2007 | ||||||||
ANCHORAGE COAST GUARDSMAN WELCOMES NEW SON FOLLOWING TRAGEDY | |||||||||
| ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In the Coast Guard the concept of family goes beyond the traditional bonds between parents and children as individuals are separated from loved ones by deployments, reassignment to locations around the world and often miles of open ocean. In these situations individuals redefine family and rely on those close to them for support.
It is this concept of family that allowed one Alaska based Coast Guardsman to understand the needs of a young boy after his mother died of cancer and he was left without parents. It was in the wake of tragedy that a new family was created, not on the traditional foundation, but on the bonds forged between a Coast Guardsman and a boy who first knew him as a friend and eventually came to call him dad. Meet Harrison James Murphy. Harrison is a nine year-old boy of average height with an athletic build and brown hair. He loves the outdoors; he's a runner and likes to build things with his hands. An interest in airplanes has given way to a dream to be a fighter pilot this week. A very polite and outgoing youth, you'd never know he lost his mother four months ago. Harrison is now the newest member of the Coast Guard family in Anchorage.
Meet Steve Murphy, a civilian Coast Guard employee and Coast Guard reservist of 29 years currently working in Anchorage. Murphy adopted Harrison on Aug. 8, 2007. Steve Murphy is the Drug and Alcohol Program Inspector (DAPI). He leads an extremely active life. Running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and ice climbing sometimes for days at a time is normal for Steve. His relationship with Harrison began in November of 2005, when Murphy decided to donate some of his time to the community by participating in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. The process of becoming a Big Brother begins by conducting an interview with one of the program's counselors and describing your interests and what you have to offer a child. After talking with the counselor they already had a kid in mind - Harrison. "I had a real desire to give back to the community and to a young man who needed a big brother/ male role model," said Murphy. "I felt I had a lot to offer to an active child given my personal interests." Harrison was adopted by his mother Mindy when he was an infant. She had three other fully-grown children and another adolescent son and had run a childcare service for sometime. When Harrison was four years old, Mindy developed breast cancer, which went into remission briefly with treatment only to resurface again in her lungs. During her battle she had periods where she was very ill. Harrison spent time then with his mother's grown daughters who were like aunts to him. They had school age children who were slightly older than he was. Technically they were his nieces and nephews even though he was younger than they were. He also spent time with friends and with Murphy, through the Big Brothers program. The program requests a volunteer spend time with a child at least once a week, but Murphy and Harrison spent time together twice and sometimes three times a week. They would spend a few hours or a whole day together. A lot of time was spent outdoors and Harrison really enjoyed being with someone focused on him.
"Big brothers, Big Sisters is a fantastic program provided you are well matched with your particular child," said Murphy. "Giving time to one individual can make all the difference in someone's life, even on a part-time basis." When Mindy's cancer returned she tried chemotherapy treatment again. The doctors found cancer in new areas of her body indicating it was spreading. In the spring of 2007, before undergoing the final of three treatments she realized that she needed to find some more permanent arrangements for Harrison, as the outlook was bleak. Murphy, knowing that Harrison would need a permanent situation soon, approached Mindy with the idea of adopting Harrison. "With both aunts in the area Harrison definitely had choices but they have children of their own to think about," said Murphy. "Mindy also has a 19 year old autistic son who is now living with one of his sisters and given the family dynamic and the history Harrison had of changing houses so often during his mother's battle with cancer I thought I could offer a good home for him. I've had a great life and I felt like I was in a position now where I could put someone else first." Mindy accepted the idea. She had had the same thought and was trying to decide how to approach Murphy. After her death, on Mother's Day coincidentally, Murphy became Harrison's custodian until a formal hearing could take place in August. At first Harrison was a little scared. He was with her when she passed and he was fully aware of her illness. He loved his mother very much. He would wake up after having bad dreams but that's to be expected, recalls Murphy. On August 8, 2007 the adoption hearing took place at the State of Alaska Court in Anchorage. Typically adoptees do not attend the proceedings but Harrison made a special request to be present and was allowed to do so by the judge. "He was dressed in a black suit and wore his sun glasses," recalled Murphy. "He looked like a little FBI agent." In the courtroom there were only two chairs at the table for Murphy and the lawyer, so Harrison sat in the defendant's chair. After the particulars were discussed the judge allowed Harrison to make a statement. This is also highly unusual but Harrison made a formal request to the Master of the Court. "When the judge addressed him it took him a minute to respond," said Murphy. "When he did he said ‘your honor I really like living at Steve's house and I want to be able to call him Dad'." The judge explained that if accepted, Murphy would be able to send him to bed and make him clean his room, all the things a dad does. Harrison understood and so became Harrison James Murphy.
It has been four months since the passing of his mother and the Murphy's are doing well. Harrison has started 4th Grade at Kasuun Elementary. He's been a good student, although, he did not look forward to giving up his summer. It was filled with summer camp, hiking, camping, sailing and fishing. Harrison still sees his aunts, nieces and nephews and he has begun to meet his new father's family who are all very supportive of the adoption. "Harrison is a wonderful kid," said Murphy. "Kind, well mannered, obedient and extremely fit. He doesn't have any behavioral issues." To learn responsibility and help out he has chores. He earns an allowance from mowing the lawn and soon he'll be shoveling snow instead. It is an ongoing adaptation. Murphy does miss the days when he could get off work and bike to Seward or go backpacking from Eagle River to Girdwood. "I still do those things but the intensity is at a nine year-old level," said Murphy. "There is not a moment in my mind when Harrison isn't first." Although Harrison is the epitome of a happy adolescent Murphy doesn't deny the fact that his unusual early years may manifest themselves in his behavior later. "He had no problem moving from house to house," said Murphy. "He misses his mother but understood she couldn't take care of him at times. I do wonder if he'll have attachment issues later in life." Murphy looks forward to the challenge. He's very dedicated to the young man, A few weeks ago Harrison had his ninth birthday. There was a soldier theme and friends and neighbors joined them to celebrate. Balloons were blown up. A camouflage tent was erected in the back yard and the boys donned uniforms and face paint. There were marshmallow wars and an obstacle course in flight suits and over-sized boots. An awards ceremony followed and all the boys saluted. Another of many days Harrison will never forget. He was surrounded by people who we know do not fit the formal definition of family, but anyone watching would be oblivious to the fact that they were anything but just that.
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DATE: September 20, 2007 13:57:53 AKST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANCHORAGE COAST GUARDSMAN WELCOMES NEW SON FOLLOWING TRAGEDY
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