The war in Iraq had not started. Junior's son, Larry, was in the Marine Reserves, and when the war began he was one of the first called. He left behind his wife, Janette, and a newborn girl named Julianna whose eyes sparkled in ignorance of what was happening. Junior understood the threat of war, and the abandonment of the family when a soldier leaves. He watched with deep unhappiness as his son left for Iraq.
The country was numb with shock, and the Trimmer family was no different. But there was a woman alone with a newborn child. Junior assumed a grandfatherly role far stronger than any he had anticipated.
"I'm not sure it was that clear to ME," he says, "Larry's first time over, we tried to be there more for Janette than the baby; Jules was blissfully unaware, as little babies usually are."
Larry returned safely home. The family prepared a hero's welcome and he settled into his family, finally able to love and enjoy his child. But many of the reservists were called up for a second tour of duty. Larry's name was among those called. By now the baby was more aware of what his absence meant.
"His second tour, tho'" says Junior, "I made a conscious effort to keep a male figure in her scope. And she was older, was talking, and asking questions... much different from the first tour.
I would try to be there at least every other week. I'd take her to the diner, sit and play with her face to face......... but most importantly, turn the conversation to her daddy when I could.
I'd already seen on TV a video of soldiers coming home to a screaming, wiggling toddler who had no idea who in the world this person was who was trying to take her from her mommy.
I would, on almost every visit, put her on my hip and walk the halls where the family pics hang, and the routine got pretty set; I would ask and she would answer....
This appeared to have accomplished what I was after, as there was absolutely no doubt in her mind down there at Reagan International Airport which one of those marines was daddy.
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