Wednesday, August 31, 2005

By RAIN SMITH
Reporter

The countdown is on, and family members' nerves are frayed.

"I think everyone is very anxious for them to come home, and of course, be safe," said Charlene Barrett of Kingsport's 278th Family Readiness Group.

The families of area National Guard troops have been told their citizen soldiers should return stateside the last week of October or first week of November.

Of the 278th Regimental Combat Team's 4,000 soldiers - deployed to Iraq last November - 3,200 are with the Tennessee National Guard, and 271 of those soldiers are with Kingsport's 2nd Squadron.

To ensure loved ones return stateside safely, and protect those taking their places, families are putting their faith in prayer.

On Thursday night, seven churches across the state, including five in Northeast Tennessee, will hold simultaneous services asking God to help military personnel keep their focus and stay safe over their final days in Iraq. Ministers will also lead prayers asking for peace and encouragement for families awaiting the soldiers' return.

Barrett, whose husband Lonnie is a chaplain with the 278th, "most assuredly" believes in the power of prayer and asks the general public to attend the services and open their hearts.

Local churches participating in the prayer program are St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Colonial Heights, Southwestern Baptist Church in Johnson City, Calvary Baptist Church in Bristol, Tenn., Blountville Christian Church in Blountville, and East Rogersville Missionary Baptist in Rogersville.

All services will open Thursday night with a pledge to the American flag at 7 p.m.

"We're very concerned about our own folks, but also concerned for those going back over (to replace the 278th RCT)," said Blountville Christian Church Pastor Dwight Shaffer. "We're also going to focus in on the families, as I'm sure the next two months or so will seem even longer because they know their family member will be coming home."

Blountville Christian has decorated for the service by placing yellow ribbons around the church and in the sanctuary, each one bearing the name of a local soldier in Iraq.

"As people walk by those and see those names, it becomes more than just a ribbon," Shaffer said. "It's something more personal."

Shaffer knows firsthand how important prayer is for families and soldiers during this stressful period of separation.

"We have heard from different soldiers that say in difficult times they've felt the power of their families praying," said Shaffer, who has three members of the Blountville Christian Church congregation serving in Iraq. "God not only hears all our prayers, but answers all our prayers."

Story Copyright to Kingsport Times-News