Group helps takes care of things at home while soldiers are away

“The one thing most soldiers overseas want to know is that their families are taken care of while they are deployed,” says Jerry Morrison, the Idaho Army National Guard’s Family Assistance Coordinator.

“If a solider does not have to worry about his family, then he can focus on his job overseas.”

And that is exactly the mission of the Family Readiness Group, whose main purpose is to take care of the needs of the families of soldiers while they are in service to their country.

The group is “one great big support group,” says Jeannie Morgan, the group’s vice president.

Morgan volunteers 15 to 20 hours per week supervising committees, groups, and Family Readiness Group activities, including coffee events, fund-raisers and the preparation of care packages that are shipped overseas.

Morgan’s husband is stationed at Fort Polk, La. After a 15- to 20-day leave back home in Idaho, he will be deployed first to Kuwait for three weeks, where he will acclimate and learn about customs and missions, then to Kirkuk, Iraq, where he will spend the Christmas holidays.

The Family Readiness Group is made up of approximately 100 families whose husbands, wives, sons, and daughters are deployed with the Idaho Army National Guard headquartered at 5555 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls. There are four platoons in the company – one located in Bonners Ferry and three in Post Falls.

“The help from the community has been outstanding,” Morgan says. “For instance, my neighbors have offered to plow my driveway this winter since my husband is gone.”

“People who give do so because they feel a personal responsibility to take care of the soldiers that have volunteered to serve their country,” Morrison says.

In another endeavor to help out, Post Falls American Legion Post 143 coordinates and organizes a food pantry which provides nonperishable foods and other necessities to the soldiers’ families. It is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 to 11 a.m., and is supported by community donations.

“Thanks to all the generous community donations, my food bill and the food bill of other families has been cut by quite a bit,” Morgan says.

There is also a Family Readiness support group that meets to help family members cope while their loved ones are away.

“It is comforting to know that I am not the only one going through what I am going through,” Morgan says. “It is nice to pick up the phone and say I need some help and know someone will respond.” Veterans from the American Legion and VFW attend the support group meetings to offer their personal services to the families.

“They help us when our cars break down or when our homes need repair,” Morgan says. “Their support has been wonderful.”

Morrison retired from the military after 23 years of active duty. He has spent the last 11 years recruiting in Kootenai County and knows many of the soldiers and their families.

He is on standby to help with any kind of a problem.

“The family at home must have a support chain to assist them in the event of an emergency,” he says. “Families must be able to sustain while their loved ones serve their country.”

Morrison’s help includes dealing with legal issues, unit information/updates, recovering lost I.D. cards, taking care of paycheck problems, and sorting out medical bill complications – just to name a few.

“If there is a problem, I know who to call. Anything the families’ need – I will take care of,” Morrison says. “I answer my phone 24/7.”

Morgan would like to thank the community for all that is being done.

“There are not enough words to describe how great this community has been.”