When a Navy family in Japan welcomed their daughter into the world far earlier than expected, their lives changed in an instant. Born at just 24 weeks and weighing a little more than one pound, Petty Officer Harley Fuqua, USN and his wife Jeserae’s daughter faced an uncertain road ahead, spending her first months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) while her parents navigated the emotional and financial strain that accompanied the crisis.
During one of the most difficult periods of their lives, the family turned to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s Iwakuni office for support. Through the Visiting Nurse Program and emergency financial assistance, NMCRS helped ease the burden by covering transportation and hotel expenses so the Fuqua's could make the hour-long drive to the hospital and remain close to their daughter throughout her extended NICU stay.
“Being able to stay near our daughter during this time meant everything to us,” the family shared. “The support we received from NMCRS helped us focus on what mattered most—being there for her every step of the way.”
Now, several months later, the Fuqua's returned to the NMCRS Iwakuni office not in crisis, but in celebration. Their daughter recently marked 100 days of life, an important milestone for premature infants and their families. Though she still has several weeks ahead in the NICU, her condition continues to improve. The visit was an opportunity for the parents to personally thank the NMCRS team who stood beside them through the uncertainty and fear of their daughter’s early arrival.
“We wanted others to know how much this support impacted our family,” Petty Officer Fuqua said. “During one of the hardest moments of our lives, NMCRS helped us feel less alone.”
The family also shared photos and video from their daughter’s 100-day celebration at the NICU and expressed their hope that sharing their story publicly may help other military families understand that support is available during life’s unexpected challenges.
“This is exactly why NMCRS exists, said NMCRS Iwakuni Director Inisar Al-Hayek. “When military families are facing overwhelming circumstances, whether emotional, logistical, or financial, we want them to know they do not have to carry that burden alone.”
For more than a century, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has provided financial assistance, education, and support to Sailors, Marines, and their families around the world, helping military families navigate moments of crisis with compassion and care.