Immigrant of the Day: Nadia McCaffrey (France)

Born in France, Nadia McCaffrey immigrated to the United States. She is the founder of Angel Staff, a group of volunteers who bring a caring presence to terminally ill patients and their families.

McCaffrey’s son, Sergeant Patrick R. McCaffrey Sr., was killed while serving in Iraq in June 2004.  Nadia McCaffrey received international attention as the “mother who defied the Bush Administration” when she asked the media to be present at the airport to photograph her son’s flag-draped coffin. Sergeant Patrick McCaffrey was 34 years old. and the father of 2.

Along with activist Cindy Sheehan, McCaffrey has campaigned against the war in Iraq after her son’s death.  In 2005, MCcCaffrey traveled to the Middle East with filmmaker Mark Manning, who made a documentary. They sought answers to what causes wars, and met with Iraqi mothers. Nadia explains her purpose: “I wanted to look them in the eye and share their pain.” McCaffrey helped deliver medicine and aid to the women and children that had suffered from the loss of their husbands and sons because of the war.

McCaffrey, an active member of Gold Star Families for Peace, resides in Tracy, California.

KJ