Woman from Howland misses her two soldiers for holidays

Virginia Crumb knows how much letters mean to service personnel because her husband and son are both in Iraq.
By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
Art of the men from wife delivered to Ytown by Yovich on 12/7.
HOWLAND -- Virginia Crumb knows how lonely soldiers can become when they don't get a letter from home during mail call in a combat zone.
She knows because her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Dennis E. Crumb, serving with the 4th Chemical Training Battalion, 80th Infantry Division in Iraq, has told her.
Her husband is serving in Taji, about two hours from Baghdad's Green Zone -- where her son, 23-year-old Sgt. Dennis J. Crumb, is serving.
Virginia Crumb and Ed Jenkins, principal at Howland Glen Elementary, want to make sure those soldiers who don't get mail hear from somebody.
Jenkins said the soldiers' chins fall when their names aren't called out during a mail call.
Letters help
Although the effort just started, two Glen classes have written letters to the Crumbs and another soldier in Iraq. Their youngest daughter, 8-year-old Kayliegh,ok is a second-grader at Glen.
"It's really sad they don't get mail," said Virginia Crumb, who volunteers at Glen and is a preschool teacher at Howland Community Church.
Jenkins suggests that those wanting to send letters, pictures or a Christmas ornament to soldiers from northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania should go to the Web site, www.adoptustroops.com.ok
"Military people are very proud. We're proud, and we don't ask for help," Virginia Crumb added.
"We're lucky. We have the support, but others don't," she said of her family's situation, noting it costs only 37 cents for a stamp to send a letter and picture.
Missing out
She knows the military. Her husband was on active duty for 15 years before getting out and taking a job at the Air Force Reserve Station in Vienna.
Her husband then got an administrative position with Ellwood City Hospital before he was called for active duty.
Her older son was attending Wright State University when he was called from their reserve unit in Farrell, Pa.
Her son returned in 2003 after serving a one-year tour of duty in Iraq. When the family learned that the husband was being activated, her son wanted to serve with his father, she explained.
Her son left for active duty on Mother's Day; her husband a week later. They won't be coming home until September or October 2006.
Her husband was granted an emergency leave in August to attend his mother's funeral. He wasn't able to return for his wife's grandfather's funeral, nor her aunt's or cousin's funerals in November.
Virginia Crumb said she missed her husband and son at the funerals. She continues to miss having coffee with her husband every morning and working together around their home.
He can't attend wrestling matches in which her son, Vincent, an 18-year-old Howland senior, is involved. He won't be able to attend Vincent's high school graduation.
"He's missing out on his kids' lives," she said sadly.
The couple also has a 20-year-old daughter, Bethany, a Kent State University student.
Show of support
Virginia Crumb explained that it's more difficult being a reservist called to active duty than being on active duty in the regular Army. There isn't the post exchange with its low prices, the nearby free medical facilities nor the support from other military families.
"There is not much support for the reservist compared to those on active duty. It's a whole different lifestyle," she said.
She keeps as busy as she can to keep from constantly worry about her husband and son. "That's what gets you through," she explained.
There's also help from her neighbors on Rosegarden Drive. One cleans the snow from her driveway and another cleaned out her gutters.
"Men and women need to stand behind these guys," Virginia Crumb said, calling attention to the lack of yellow ribbons being displayed that were abundant when the war started.
yovich@vindy.com