Delhi News Bureau

When the first bombs struck Baghdad on Wednesday night they also struck fear into the hearts of relatives and friends of U.S. troops who were glued to their televisions.

Joan Verspoor of Delhi said she and her husband, George, e-mailed their son, Matthew — who is in the Navy and stationed on the USS Tortuga — on Tuesday night.

"We knew the time was short and it was going to begin soon," Verspoor said. "He e-mailed us back at about noon and said that we should not worry, he was doing fine.

"But we stayed right with the television since things started."

Christa Schafer of New Kingston said her son, John Schafer, is a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves who was reactivated on March 1. He was initially told to report to Camp Pendleton and was then transferred to Camp Lejeune. He doesn't know whether he will be stateside or if he will be deployed.

"I'm afraid for him," Schafer said. "But he wants to do what's right for his country — to protect and to serve.

"It's hard on us parents. When you have a child, all you want to do is protect them," Schafer said. "Now they are protecting us and there is nothing we can do."

Schafer said she can't imagine how the parents of the troops who are involved in the attack are getting through it.

"I cannot fathom what it must be like," she said. "If it was my son, daughter or loved one, I don't know how I would handle it."

"It isn't easy," said Wendy Worden, whose son, Corey Schmitz, is with the Army's 82nd Airborne somewhere in Kuwait. "My heart goes out to all the families who have loved ones over there. I feel terrible that this had to happen at all."

Schmitz has been in the service for two years and has another two years to go, Worden said. She added that she has known her son would join the armed services since he was a toddler.

"He has had this in his blood since he was 3. We used to go to the post office and he would bring home recruiting posters," Worden said. "He is the third generation in my family to be in the service. My dad was in the Air Force for 20 years. He was in Vietnam when I was about 7 or 8 years old, and my brother was in the Coast Guard."

Erin Beers Walsh married her Marine husband, Brett Walsh, just seven months ago. She lived on the base with him at Camp Lejeune for a few short months and is now back in Walton awaiting his return.

"It was very hard to watch what was going on over there, but it was a relief that something is finally happening," Walsh said. "Now I know he will be coming back soon."

Walsh said spending time on the Marine Corps base was reassuring, because it made her aware of just how prepared the troops are for whatever they may encounter.

"Even though there is the threat of chemical and biological warfare, I know how much training they have had and that they are ready for anything," Walsh said.

Staying in touch with other military families and helping them cope has made the time go faster since her husband left for Kuwait on Feb. 12, Walsh said.

"Once you get involved in the military, you have a second family," Walsh said. "I have been keeping busy helping other families locate phone numbers and addresses to stay in touch with their loved ones."

Grace and Chuck Dietzman of Delhi are the parents of Army Capt. Brian Dietzman, who is stationed in Kuwait. Grace Dietzman said they got an e-mail from their son at 2 p.m. Wednesday, but were unable to send one in return because it was too late for it to go through.

Dietzman, who helped organize the Support Our Troops rallies in Delhi, said it was too hard to put into words what she was feeling, but said her son's words said it all.

Brian Dietzman wrote: "Just wanted to take a quick minute to say Hi and thanks for the support. I appreciate the fact that there are other people out there who will raise up and 'protect the protestors' — public support means a lot over here when all we see is the huge rallies all over the world.

"President Bush's statement the other day was very clear and direct," Brian Dietzman continued. "Saddam Hussein will be gone and Iraq will be rid of his regime. I am honored to be a part of history that will allow your great grandchildren and my grandchildren to live a life that is free from constant fear of attack.

"I don't know what the future will bring but I know that our nation is the best nation in the world and it is because of the great people I have the opportunity to work with every day. We are here to preserve our way of life and all that it stands for. We will not fail. Say a prayer for all of us."

Mary Eggleton of Walton said her son, Daniel Stephens, is in the Marines and is stationed on a ship that left on March 15 for Kuwait.

"Just like all the other parents, I am very proud. I am worried about him, but very proud," Eggleton said.

Verspoor said she is not a warmonger, but she has supported this action all along and she is glad that the waiting and suspense are finally over.

"It's the waiting that takes a toll," Verspoor said. "I have thought all along that this was the right, humanitarian thing to do and I am grateful that we are doing it so those people can live their lives with the same rights and freedoms that we enjoy.

"My son was due to come home next week," Verspoor said. "I hope that still happens."

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Patricia Breakey can be reached at (607) 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com