FORT POLK, L.A. -- Family members who have great love and affection for one another will do almost anything to show that kind of love. That's exactly what Miranda Morley-Shumate, the mother of Pfc. Morley Setliff, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum, did when she found out that her only child was going to be training with his unit at Fort Polk, La.
"When Morley came home for Christmas this past year, I asked him if he would ask someone in his chain of command if we could cook for the unit after they got done with training down here at the Joint Readiness Training Center," Morley-Shumate said. "Let them know that we will cook some good Louisiana food -- gumbo!"
When Morley-Shumate finally got word that they were able to have the cookout, she organized everything from the amount of food needed, dessert, drinks and even the location of the event, which took place at Alligator Lake near the Fort Polk military base.
Morley's Family loves to cook, and anytime they get a chance, they like to do it big. They cooked 36 gallons of gumbo with all the fixings: cornbread, potato salad, crackers, sweet tea and dessert.
"In the South, our way of saying, 'thank you,' is opening up our home and offering you food," said Anthony Setliff, Morley's father. "We try to reward anyone who's willing to give the sacrifice of serving for our country as much as these guys do. This is a great opportunity for us to do that, and it's even more rewarding for us because Morley gets to be here, too."
Morley's grandparents, Karl (Pops) and Paula (Nina) Morley, also participated in the cookout for Soldiers of 2-14 Infantry.
"It's a privilege and an honor to be able to do this for Morley and his unit," said Paula Morley. "I always hope that someone out there is loving our grandson as we are loving theirs."
Not many Soldiers, or other military personnel for that matter, get to see their Families very often, so when an opportunity arises, especially after a long, tough training exercise, they take full advantage.
"The training here at JRTC was pretty rigorous," Morley said. "It really was a test of our skills, fortitude and will power. So to see my Family and to see how excited they were to see me is absolutely great. And to have them come out and have a gumbo cookout, not just for me, but for all of Alpha Company, 2-14, is phenomenal and very generous of them."
For the rest of the afternoon, Morley, his Family and his battle buddies enjoyed some relaxation, fun and gumbo.
"It's a little piece of home to have Morley go halfway around the world and come back to train near his hometown," said Karl Morley. "It's truly a unique and blessed opportunity."
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