When she was a child, Clarissa Demery’s parents didn’t encourage her to play with dolls. “My dad would tell me to go tackle something,” says Demery, who today is a member of Longshoremen Local 1423 in Brunswick, Ga.

Encouragement from her family led Demery to a tough career loading huge ships with tons of cargo. In March, Demery—an eight-year ILA member—was temporarily relocated to Jacksonville, Fla., and is loading military cargo ships with fuel trucks, tanks, grading vehicles and other equipment coalition forces need to fight the war in Iraq.

ILA leaders in Jacksonville got word on March 10 that more specially trained union longshore workers were needed to load military cargo ships. In less than one day, ILA President John Bowers mobilized some 40 workers from other southern ports to help with the effort.

“It’s an honor for us to take part in something supporting the armed forces,” says George Spencer, president of ILA Local 1408 in Jacksonville. “It is a way for us to participate in what our country’s been called to do.”

Demery says she and her union brothers and sisters now are part of the war effort. “We want everything to be shipped over there safely,” she says. “I want to help get it there so they have the right equipment to fight this war.”

Demery also has a stake in the war effort as a parent. Her 21-year-old son, DeAndre B. Smith, is a Marine serving in the 3rd Infantry Division on the front lines of the conflict. “I watch the news a lot,” she says. “My son sent me a letter with his goodbyes,” just in case he does not return from the Persian Gulf.  “He’s made peace with God,” says Demery. “He understands he’s got to serve.”