Ropelis Welcomed Back to Gulf/Franklin Center

By S. Brady Calhoun

Florida Freedom Newspapers

Laura Ropelis is an administrator, a mother, a flutist, and a soldier. And she managed to be all four while in Iraq last year. Ropelis, 40, the coordinator of GCCC's Gulf-Franklin Center, spent most of 2004 in Iraq helping to rebuild that country's education system. Ropelis is a first lieutenant with the Army Reserve 350th Civil Affairs Division.

Ropelis served as a liaison between the Iraqi government and the military coalition to help build schools, set curriculum policies and coordinate food shipments. She also found the time to play the flute with the Iraqi National Symphony.

At a flag covered ceremony in her honor at the Gulf Franklin Center, Ropelis talked about the symphony and the people of Iraq. Ropelis said she was, "taking part in something beautiful against the background of war."

The people of Iraq risked their lives every day to help Ropelis and other soldiers complete their mission. One time, a bomb at a checkpoint injured her translator. Two days later he was back at work, Ropelis said.

"It's a difficult environment because you've got danger living next to you, in your community," Ropelis said.

It's important to separate the people of Iraq from the terrorist insurgents, Ropelis added. The people of Iraq want to rebuild their country and live without the threat of a dictator. The insurgents are a "small band" of terrorists who want power, Ropelis said.

When the education system in Iraq began to move ahead, terrorists started attacking buildings and people. Terrorists recruit from the unemployed and the uneducated and any threat to those factors, is a threat to them, Ropelis said.

When she left the country in October, Iraq had about 3,000 schools.

It was the flute, not the gun, that took Ropelis to Iraq in the first place, her husband Paul said. About five years ago a recruiter overheard Laura talk about wanting to play the flute in a symphony. The recruiter told her that she could do that in the Army National Guard. At 35, the age limit for guard recruits, Laura went to basic training. Laura, the mother of four children, was at the top of her class both in academics and physical requirements, Paul said.

"I am very proud of her," Paul said.

While Laura was away in a country at war, Paul, 45, stayed home with four children and his teaching job at Wewahitchka Middle School.

"I hate to cook," Paul said. He added that he and Trey, 17, Amber, 15, Tyler, 12, and Brea, 8, had tried every variation of chicken possible. Towards the end, pizza and Burger King became important staples, Paul said.

Laura wrote emails and called frequently while she was gone. Sometimes, during phone conversations, Paul could hear mortars exploding near Laura. Paul said he tried not to worry. He kept busy with taking care of the kids and rollerblading. By the end of the day he was so tired he could sleep peacefully. And in 2004, Paul did his best not to watch the news.

"Worry doesn't help anything," Paul said.

Now that she's back in town, the Ropelis' live in Port St. Joe, Laura said she's been overwhelmed by the local support.

"I feel truly blessed to be back home," Ropelis said.

Bob McSpadden, the president of Gulf Coast Community College, said the institution was lucky to have her.

"Laura, you are a hero to many of us," McSpadden said. "You honor us by being a colleague of ours."