CDAPress
reviews Operation Mom
New local support group open to all service branches
POST FALLS -- Joannie Burnett doesn't sleep through the night.
Her daughter, Cassi, refuses to take a pendant with a picture of her brother, Chris, off her neck. It says, "God, Protect my brother."
Joan knows they're just a typical military family.
"He's my baby, which is a normal feeling for a mom," the Post Falls woman said of Chris, who is serving in Iraq with the Idaho National Guard's 116th Brigade Combat Team. "He's a young man, and now we're letting him go and be a real man. Those apron strings are hard to cut.Burnett and Chris' mother-in-law, Linda Varela, have started a local chapter of Operation: MOM, a support group for military families.
Not to be confused with the existing family readiness group for National Guard families, Operation: MOM includes all branches of service and is open to extended family members and any interested citizens.
"Our intent is to not replace, but work in conjunction with the family readiness group," Burnett said. "We need each other."
Burnett is also involved in the readiness group. Each group has its own unique needs, she said.
"We want to find other moms, dads, sisters and brothers who are experiencing the same feelings," Burnett said. "I'd love to meet these people, but I can't shake their hands if I don't know who they are."
The plan is to meet monthly starting March 18 at the armory in Post Falls. Those interested are encouraged to bring photos and mementos from soldiers. Information: 777-8541
Operation: MOM was started in Castro Valley, Calif., by a pair of military moms. It has grown to six groups in California and two in Georgia. The Post Falls chapter is the first in Idaho.
This editorial is no longer available on this website due to the age of the document
Not to be confused with the existing family readiness group for National Guard families, Operation: MOM includes all branches of service and is open to extended family members and any interested citizens.
"Our intent is to not replace, but work in conjunction with the family readiness group," Burnett said. "We need each other."
Burnett is also involved in the readiness group. Each group has its own unique needs, she said.
"We want to find other moms, dads, sisters and brothers who are experiencing the same feelings," Burnett said. "I'd love to meet these people, but I can't shake their hands if I don't know who they are."
The plan is to meet monthly starting March 18 at the armory in Post Falls. Those interested are encouraged to bring photos and mementos from soldiers. Information: 777-8541
Operation: MOM was started in Castro Valley, Calif., by a pair of military moms. It has grown to six groups in California and two in Georgia. The Post Falls chapter is the first in Idaho.
This editorial is no longer available on this website due to the age of the document