The worries and pride of a military mom

All mothers worry about their children. When they are young and have learned to ride a bike and want to go to the store by themselves, but have to cross a busy intersection to get there. Mom?s going to wonder if everything is going to be all right at the corner. As children grow into adults, it seems the worries get bigger. They learn to drive a car or get out on their own and have to feed themselves and pay their own bills. Most mothers never stop worrying about the well-being of their sons and daughters. It?s natural.

But there is a special group of mothers in today?s day and age who go through the helpless feeling of spending their days and nights hoping and praying their children will not end up in harm?s way. They are the parents of men and women in the military.

FOR MARCIA WODKOWSKI, the mother of four in the military, it?s been the toughest experience of her life and she?s quick to admit that, difficulty-wise, she would rank it above childbirth. The oldest of the four, Tina Elliott, 28, is in the Air Force and stationed in San Antonio, Texas. Marine John Wodkowski, 25, who already has had one tour in Iraq, is in San Diego, awaiting a return trip to the country next month. Jessica Wodkowski, 22, is in the Navy and stationed in Honolulu, while the youngest, Amanda, 19, a 2003 Rogers City High School graduate, is in the Air Force and going to school in San Angelo, Texas. There?s the potential that all four could end up getting sent to some of the world?s hot spots.

For Marcia, her main concern is John?s return trip to Iraq next month. During his first tour to the Middle East, John was in Bahrain but couldn?t tell his parents he was going to Iraq when the decision was made. ?We didn?t know,? said Marcia, sitting in a recliner at her Grand Lake home. ?I?m glad it went that way,? said husband Bob.

MARCIA SAID, regardless of whether she knew he was in Iraq or not, she still would have watched just as much news as she does now, and probably lost just as much sleep. Knowing John is going back has not been easy. ?I?m not looking forward to it. It?s been the hardest time for us,? Marcia said, tears welling up in her eyes. It?s been an emotional experience, but Marcia tries to remain strong. ?When she talks to them, she pretends she isn?t worried,? Bob said.

In trying to ease her mother?s concerns, Tina says she has confidence in John?s abilities. ?I know how good John is at what he does,? Tina said from her cell phone Monday night from San Antonio. ?We do our best to stay out of harm?s way and we are trained to stay out of harm?s way,? emphasized Tina, a staff sergeant in charge of p

urchasing food for all of Europe. John, who has reached the rank of sergeant, believes his mom has handle the situation ?really well.?

?I?LL DO my best to stay safe,? he told her from San Diego. ?I appreciate everything you do for me. Your support is needed and loved.? While in Iraq, John was a part of the security force protecting the delegation trying to put together the country. Marcia believes the experience of having all four children in the military at this time in the history of our country has strengthened her faith, and while Marcia says her family ?has always been close,? this has brought them closer.

?She is the best mom I could ever have asked for,? said Tina. For Mother?s Day this Sunday, Bob and Marcia will spend the day visiting Marcia?s mother at Grand Lake, but thoughts of her children are never far away. She?ll spend Mother?s Day 2004 praying for a year as safe as the last, and with the wish that ?they all could come home at one time.?