Citizen Tribune
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
By Carla Cody
Tribune Correspondent

It's rare that cell phones are allowed in important meetings these days, especially when it is a crowd of more than 30. For one Morristown group, however, cell phones are never turned off. People who might be offended will just have to understand. Those attending the weekly support group are among the small crowd who understands better than anyone else.

During a meeting one particular evening last week, an all-important call did come from the other side of the world, from the secluded desert of Iraq. The soldier's wife took that call as the other wives yelled "hello" into the phone. It was camaraderie that only those who have experienced a child, a spouse, or a grandchild away at war can understand. Officially, they are known as an FRG (Family Readiness Group).

Unofficially, they call themselves the "frogs", a nickname one soldier on leave gave them by throwing an "o" in the middle of their "FRG" initials. They are the parents, spouses, grandparents, children, sisters, brothers, and other loved ones of soldiers in the 278th Regimental Combat Team. For safety reasons, names of support group members are not given.

While it may be possible for some residents of the Lakeway Area to forget America is at war, the "frogs" say they never escape that reality. A small light burns in each of their homes to symbolize the light left on for a loved one who is thousands of miles from home.

Their meeting time is spent eating dinner, passing around pictures of the desert their absent family members currently call home, and, most of all, encouraging one another with the reminder the loneliness each of them feels now is merely a season that will pass.

"It won't be long now," is a phrase repeated several times throughout the evening. While there are many optimists in the crowd, there are also a few wives and mothers who are having a particularly bad day.

Compared to how long it has been since their soldiers left for war, it is true it won't be long now. But for them, another few months seems way too long to wait.

"It's longer than I want it to be," says one mother, as she passes around a picture of her soldier son sitting atop a tank with a smile, an American flag in his hand.

As pictures are passed and encouraging words offered to those who are having an especially bad day, they also have business that needs attention. The most important business is forming a homecoming committee, which will be responsible for throwing a party for the returning soldiers.

Then there is the training. They are told things may not go as smoothly as they would like when their soldiers return home.

"There will be an adjustment period for them. The soldiers have been through a lot emotionally, and it will take some time for them to adapt to life back at home," they are told.

Maybe. But these mothers and spouses don't seem to worry. They say they will be supportive and patient with their returning loved ones.

"We just want them home safely," says one wife, whose husband has not yet been home to visit.

Next week, they plan to make scrapbooks. They want their soldiers to see the things they have missed while they have been away at war. While the plans are to make scrapbooks, there is one exception that could alter their plan. If a soldier is home and gets to come to next week's meeting, scrapbook plans are off. The group will give the soldier their undivided attention. They want to hear from him. After all, hearing from one soldier is the next best thing to hearing from their own loved ones.

As the meeting ends, prayers are offered for their soldiers.

"God, if it is too cold, give them warmth tonight. If it is too hot, give them a cool breeze tonight. Most of all, Lord, keep them safe and give them peace tonight."

With an "Amen" and several more hugs from those who understand, the families go their separate ways to face another week without their loved ones.

As they walk to the parking lot, one of the moms yells a last reminder: "Hey, girls! It's all downhill from here!"

Family members of all deployed soldiers are invited to join the group. For more information, contact FRG President Carolyn Knight at (423) 312-1162 or e-mail her at frogs190th@yahoo.com .

Story Copyright to Citizen Tribune