http://www.thedailycitizen.com/      Nov 2003

Serving on the homefront: Bambi George leading support for families of deployed soldiers

BY RICK BUTLER

News Editor

As far as Bambi George is concerned, little things mean a lot.

The wife of Sfc. Jerome George, a Gunslinger in the midst of a deployment to Iraq, passes the time her husband is gone in a variety of ways. One of the most fulfilling, though, is heading the local Family Readiness Group.

The local section is part of a larger, national group, but its focus is on the things that need to be done here at home, in Searcy and the surrounding area, to lend support to families who are missing deployed soldiers.

George said everyday life becomes much tougher once the new wears off the soldiers' departures.

"After the excitement dies down, there are a lot of little things that families need," George said. "Whether it's yard work, plumbing problems ... those are the types of things no one really thinks about."

Organizing the families' needs should be easier during this deployment, George said. A family assistance center will be manned by Gary Melton, a rear detachment soldier, at the National Guard Armory.

The center will assist families with soldiers from units in Augusta, Batesville, Searcy, Beebe and Heber Springs, among others.

"We're really fortunate that this will be in place," George said. "Gary does a great job. He can answer about any question a family member might have or he'll get you in the right direction."

George said the center should be in operation within the next few weeks.

Approximately 140 local families will be directly affected by the departure of soldiers. Families with soldiers not associated with the Searcy unit are welcome to be a part of the local group, George said.

With four children ranging from 8 to 13 years, George said keeping the readiness group organized and informed can be a full-time job.

"Communication is a real key," she said. "We try to let the families know the people in the community, whether it's church groups, other groups or individuals, who are willing to help out."

George said anyone willing to provide help to Guard families can call the National Guard Armory at 268-5552.

Misconceptions

A family with a member who has been deployed doesn't obviously know more about a military situation. That's one of the most common misunderstandings families deal with, George said.

"We get asked a lot of questions," she said. "For the most part, they're questions we don't have answers to. People assume that since it's our family member who is there, that we know exactly where they are and what they're doing. In a lot of cases, we probably know less than other people."

The families aren't looking for sympathy, either, George said.

"We understand there are people feeling sorry for us," she said. "We don't necessarily want that, but we understand. Sometimes, we're feeling sorry for ourselves. All we want is the community's support.

"And, hugs are good."

Again, the little things

While George said formal receptions and goodwill gestures mean a tremendous amount to the families, it's the ordinary acts of kindness that are really needed.

"Just someone offering to babysit so we can shop for Christmas," she said. "It's the same things that other families face on an everyday basis. Those are the types of things we need help with."

iWebTech:    Chird Bobbitt

Veterans Affairs