WORLD REPORT EDITION    TOP STORY

January 31, 2003

Shipping Out

U.S. troops head overseas, leaving behind brave families and friends

When Corporal Tracey Beets went away for a month last fall, his son waited for him every night at the window. Now, Corporal Beets, of Fort Stewart in Georgia, is leaving again. His wife, Anna, worries about how their son, D'Artagnan, 3, will handle his dad's absence. "I know it's his job, and he has to go," she says. "But D'Artagnan doesn't understand."

Thousands of kids across the country are saying goodbye to a mom or dad in the military as the U.S. prepares for a possible war with Iraq. About 60,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have already been sent to the Persian Gulf region. Aircraft carriers, tanks, helicopters and other equipment are in place, and more are on the way every day. The Department of Defense says that by mid-February, at least 200,000 U.S. troops will be in the region. Plenty of kids will feel the impact. About 44% of men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces are parents.

Ready For Anything

The current deployment, or movement, of troops is no big surprise. The United States has been preparing for a war with Iraq for many months. Weapons inspectors from the United Nations have been searching Iraq for illegal arms since December. President George W. Bush has said repeatedly that the U.S. and its allies will make sure that Iraq has no illegal weapons, even if they must use force to do so.

Last week, Americans were waiting to hear the January 27 report from U.N. inspectors. They also hoped to learn more about the President's plans from his January 28 State of the Union message to the nation.

Some countries, including Germany, Russia and France, called for more inspections last week. They say the U.N. inspectors don't have enough evidence that Iraq is hiding weapons. But U.S. leaders say Iraq has had enough chances to follow the rules. "Saddam Hussein must be disarmed," said Secretary of State Colin Powell. "He can do it peacefully, or he can step down and let someone else do it. Or it will be done for him."

Iraq's neighbors are concerned that war would tear apart the region. On Thursday, leaders from Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey met in Turkey to discuss ways to prevent a war.

Packing Up and Moving Out

For now, U.S. forces continue to get ready. Packing socks and supplies is simple. But saying goodbye to children is not so easy. Some make life-size photos of themselves to remind their kids that Mom or Dad is coming back as soon as possible. Others tape themselves reading their child's favorite book, so kids can hear their voice while they are away.

Erin Gibson, of Fort Stewart, works with Army doctors. She could leave any day, so she made a videotape for her son. "I tried to explain that Mommy has to go help people that get sick or hurt," she says, "but I'll be back soon."

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/magazines/story/0,6277,411854,00.html