Mackenzie and I are the surviving daughter and wife of the late Roger S. Thompson, 48, an Army Special Forces Soldier for 26 years, and a Special Forces Sergeant Major, last assigned as the Company Sergeant Major of Charlie Company, Third Battalion, (C/3/7).
Mackenzie was 8 when Roger passed away. This was devastating for our family. I was full-time law enforcement and Mackenzie was in elementary school. One cannot imagine our thoughts as his life stopped. It was tough. My drive for Mackenzie to thrive with school, sports, extracurricular, church, friends and family was purposeful.
Often, I worried how I would get it done. The responsibilities of work, finishing my Master’s, Mackenzie’s events, sports, birthdays, and preparing for college pressed on me. Not having Roger to speak with, wasn’t our plan. He taught us life was priceless. The op tempo and missions were demanding, both of us in dangerous positions put life perception on a different level.
I asked myself, “what should I concentrate on, how do I execute?” Well, it was sheer coincidence or timing when Lisa Berardicurti, “Lisa B.” from the Special Operations Warrior Foundation called. September 2016 she invited us to a dinner, the 12th Annual Emerald Coast Salute to SOF. She explained the SOWF foundation, how they stand by surviving families of Special Operators, offering support from infant to career, providing tools for academic success with funding, tutoring, and college planning.
Lisa B.’s phone call put me at ease, and gave hope. She’d become our commandant for execution of Mackenzie’s college preparation and future. I felt an immediate connection to her. Sharing our life came easy. I leaned on her for advice. Lisa’s empathy for our loss, and willingness to make our life easier was a blessing.
Lisa B. assisted in 2016, I applied for my MSW. In 2017 Mackenzie obtained an in-home math coach, also attended another SOWF dinner. In 2018, Lisa B. continued checking-in. In 2019 the math coach moved. Lisa B. solidified a new tutor. Now in 7th grade, Mack planned on studying Spanish before entering HS. Through SOWF support, she advanced. She ultimately maintained an honor average in Spanish, earning the Spanish Silver Seal of Biliteracy, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica at graduation.
In 2020 Covid hit. A peculiar time of masks and seclusion. Lisa B. sought our needs, suggested an on-line tutor for advanced algebra/geometry/data analysis. Lisa’s job never stopped. Mack maintained a Varsity tutor through 2023. At this point, Mackenzie attended Satellite High. They had a great running program and we welcomed change. She thrived, a varsity athlete running as a consistent top performer in cross country and track. Mack prepped for SAT/ACT at Huntington Learning Center. She attended EPIC (Educational Planning and Information Conference). SOWF sponsors this brilliant camp, teaching the college process. 2023 and 2024 were crucial, Mackenzie was running races, Conference, District, Region and State. She became a licensed driver, AP exams, HCO and proms took front seat while maintaining academics. Lisa B. was patient as we visited colleges early on, ranging from UCONN to San Diego State University. We used allocated funds for Ole Miss, LSU and Tampa colleges.
The time had come, October 2024. Mackenzie was applying to colleges. She learned through EPIC, having best grades by junior year, helps early applications. She was writing her essay and tossing ideas with a guest speaker/writer provided by SOWF.
In winter 2025, acceptances were arriving. Mackenzie committed to LSU in February 2025. Lisa B. reminded that enrollment deposits, orientation fees, early housing deposits, visits, parking passes, etc. were reimbursable. Placing several deposits at one time is costly, their help enabled so we secured spots faster.
I especially want to recognize the donors and sponsors who support SOWF. Your contributions make SOWF an incredible asset to Special Operations Families. Without your donations and influence, this wouldn’t be possible. I am grateful Lisa B. and SOWF are in our lives. We have been together 9.5 years. Mackenzie would’ve liked attending more dinners and events, but she continuously trained or studied. She considered running in college, like her dad, but the desire to rush, find sisterhood, took precedence. Her running and strong academics instilled confidence and ambition. Mackenzie is a freshman at LSU, Biological Sciences. She was initiated to her sorority. Roger would be very proud of her, and how the foundation oversees his family, and the Special Operations Forces.
Thank You!!
Stephanie A. Thompson
