Reservists, families face possible separation

The unit would serve as headquarters for a water supply battalion.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LORDSTOWN -- Rheadus Bland is proud of his mother.
But he still wishes she could retire tomorrow.
The thought of his mom going overseas makes the 13-year-old boy feel "sick."
Sure, he'll miss her, but there's a bigger reason.
"She might die."
Staff Sgt. Shirley Bland, of Warren, is a mother of four, and a member of the U.S. Army Reserve 423rd Quartermaster Battalion.
Gathered for Christmas
She and other members of the battalion gathered Saturday to celebrate Christmas and to encourage soldiers' families to support one another -- just in case the group is called to active duty.
"I'm not going to say I'm not worried," said Staff Sgt. Bland's husband, Joe. "But I'm OK with it. I want to be here in support of the soldiers who are going to get deployed. It's probably just a matter of time before that happens."
Lt. Col. James Smith told soldiers and their families to prepare by forming a network at home to help spouses and children if the battalion is mobilized.
"We all watch CNN. We know why this year is special," said Lt. Col. Smith, of Wooster. "We all know [about] the deadline for Saddam Hussein to turn over his weapons of mass destruction or face the consequences.
"And these soldiers in uniform are the consequences. We're on the list should we go to war."
Their role
The local unit of 40 soldiers, ages 18 to 55, would serve as headquarters for a 600-member water supply battalion overseas. Lt. Col. Smith said the group's role would be to purify, store and distribute several million gallons of water, the same amount as a midsized city.
Gold garland, a shining Christmas tree, giant stockings and red-and-green table cloths decorated the battalion headquarters, but youngsters still asked parents questions about the military-green sleeping bags, blankets and bundles prepared for a possible deployment.
"It adds a little stress to the season," said Maria Smith, Lt. Col. Smith's wife. "It's a hard time for people. There's a lot of sacrifice that goes on. ... Everybody is feeling a lot of uncertainty."
The couple has two sons. Zack is 13. Nicholas, 18, is in Army basic training.
First Lt. Paul Gebhardt of Warren admitted he was "pretty anxious" as he held his daughter Darian, who turns 2 in a week. He also has a daughter Briar, 6.
"It'll be hard," he said. "My oldest daughter knows why I'm going and what for. She'll just miss me."
Lt. Gebhardt's wife, Lori, said she's not anxious. The couple is prepared. Her husband said they've discussed the bills she'll handle if he leaves, but "otherwise we really don't talk about it."
Joe Bland said he knows it will be a big job rearing his kids -- ages 7 to 13 -- if his wife is gone, but his main concern is that America and its allies "do what they need to do to settle this."
He also worries about his wife and other soldiers with families, who may be sent to defend American interests against countries who use children -- like their own -- as soldiers.
Bland heads up a group to unify families of the soldiers. He encouraged family members to join a network of support.
Also at the event, members of the local units of the United Service Organizations and Red Cross were on hand to let families know how the groups can help with support and communication efforts.
Families also learned about medical insurance possibilities.
"We're going to be trying to build up your morale, because we know it must be difficult sometimes," Elizabeth Henderson of the USO told the gathering.
"We just want to help you, embrace you and thank you for all you do for our country."