Heat’s McGruder learns about true meaning of Memorial Day
Wingman was volunteer at camp for kids who lost parents in military.
MIAMI — Memorial Day will never be the same for Rodney McGruder.
The Maryland native returned home to spend the holiday weekend as part of an NBA contingent that volunteered at the Good Grief Camp in Washington, working with children who lost loved ones serving in the military. The event was organized by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
The experience left McGruder with an even deeper appreciation of the true meaning behind Memorial Day.
“I thought it was going to be very impactful,” said McGruder, who turns 27 on July 29. “But as I got to experience the program, it was more impactful than I ever could have imagined.
“The courage that these kids have to keep on through life with the tremendous losses that have happened in their family, either being their mom or dad or someone in the armed forces. Just the courage that they have to keep going on, that’s impactful. I couldn’t imagine growing up without a mother or father.”
As part of the weekend, the Heat wingman helped lead a Jr. NBA clinic with Knicks guard Jarrett Jack. McGruder also worked at the event with Kings assistant coach Bryan Gates, Mavericks assistant coach Jamahl Mosley, Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool and Gen. Martin Dempsey, the former chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff who is now an adviser to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
One girl asked McGruder if he’s ever had to deal with loss off the basketball court, and the question hit him hard.
“I have dealt with loss in my life. I really grew up without a grandmother, like a biological grandmother,” he said. “But when she asked me, it hit home because I think about how strong my mother is and the great mother that she is. Her mother was taken away when my mom was just a toddler. So that kind of hit close to home.”
The weekend itinerary also included tours of the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall. But it was the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weather by Tomb Guard sentinels, that really impressed McGruder.
“Just the military in general. Just the detail and the commitment that they have for one another, protecting one another,” McGruder said. “Just the way that they do things, just being around it. You can see how strict to detail they are. So, I really enjoyed just learning more about them and seeing the way they move.”
“When they started mentioning about uniforms and how your uniform has to be a certain way, and if it isn’t a certain way you get written up,” said McGruder, who just finished his second NBA season. “I was thinking about in a game like when you play with your jersey out. Just the professionalism that these guys and the standards they’re held to, it’s great. That helps build your character as a young man or a young woman. That’s where my respect is for, just the whole military and whole armed forces.”