The homefront: for many families of U.S. soldiers, the war in Iraq hits home every day.When a parent or loved one is fighting in a war, fear and worry can become constant companions for members of their family. For Julian Peters, 9, and Brianna Wright, 13, a break from the anxiety comes mostly at night, in their dreams. "I dream that me and my mom are outside playing football," Julian tells JS. His mother, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant staff sergeant n. 1. a. Abbr. SSG A noncommissioned rank in the U.S. Army that is above sergeant and below sergeant first class. b. Abbr. SSgt A noncommissioned rank in the U.S. Darrian P. Davenport, has been in Baghdad, Iraq, since last February and is expected to return home this March. The fourth-grader from Upper Marlboro, Maryland Greater Upper Marlboro, Maryland Upper Marlboro is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The live-in population of the town core proper was only 648 at the 2000 census, although Greater Upper Marlboro is many times larger. , eagerly anticipates enjoying his mom's cooking again. "She'll make my favorite My Favorite is an independent synthpop band from Long Island, New York. They released two CDs: Love at Absolute Zero and Happiest Days of Our Lives. My Favorite broke up on September 14, 2005, when singer Andrea Vaughn left the band. meal--mashed potatoes, fish sticks, fried chicken Fried chicken is chicken which is dipped in a breading mixture and then deep fried, pan fried or pressure fried. The breading seals in the juices but also absorbs the fat of the fryer, which is sometimes seen as unhealthy. , cinnamon toast Noun 1. cinnamon toast - buttered toast with sugar and cinnamon (and nutmeg and grated lemon peel) toast - slices of bread that have been toasted , and collard greens Noun 1. collard greens - kale that has smooth leaves collards cole, kail, kale - coarse curly-leafed cabbage ," he says. In her dreams, Brianna sees herself playing soccer with her father, Michael. While his official duties as a U.S. Army Sergeant First Class include training Iraq's new military force, Brianna says her dad is really just "a soccer nut" at heart. He, too, has been in Iraq since last February and is slated to return home this spring to Newburgh, New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . What will be the first thing Brianna's dad does when he gets home? "He'll hug us and then eat a pizza," the eighth-grader tells JS. "He'll also come to watch my soccer games." On a Mission Today, there are about 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, the largest number since the March 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime. National elections are scheduled for January 30. But insurgents Insurgents, in U.S. history, the Republican Senators and Representatives who in 1909–10 rose against the Republican standpatters controlling Congress, to oppose the Payne-Aldrich tariff and the dictatorial power of House speaker Joseph G. Cannon. are trying to disrupt the elections by attacking U.S.-led forces, Iraqis, and foreign-aid workers. Many Americans who have family members in Iraq try to ignore daily news reports about roadside bombings, ambushes, and other attacks. Brianna and Julian try to stave off stave n. 1. A narrow strip of wood forming part of the sides of a barrel, tub, or similar structure. 2. A rung of a ladder or chair. 3. A staff or cudgel. 4. Music See staff1. worry by focusing on their own personal missions--keeping their families together. This means doing extra chores and taking on more responsibilities at home. "I have to do more laundry and washing [of] dishes," says Brianna. "I also baby-sit my brothers, Eric [age 10] and Devin [age 6]." Brianna, who misses her father, sometimes cries when she is alone. But she tries to keep an upbeat mood for her brothers' sake: "They seek comfort from me sometimes. I just tell them that Dad will be home soon." Julian also does his part to help out. He washes the dishes and cleans his room. But keeping busy is not always enough to stop his fears from surfacing. "I didn't want [my mom] to go [to Iraq]," Julian says. "I'm afraid she might get shot. It makes me sad." It is during such moments that Julian finds comfort by talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to his grandmother. "He's had a few nightmares," Julian's grandmother, Patricia Ames, tells JS. "We talk about it and try to make life as normal as possible. We try not to worry. It's important to just keep going." Memories of Home Both Julian and Brianna send comforting reminders of home to Iraq. Julian's last care package to his mother included his school photos, his report card (A's and B's), and some teddy bears. Brianna and her brothers recently sent their father letters, comic strips
Julian and Brianna both say how proud they are of their parents' sacrifice and service to their country and to the Iraqi people. But in the end, what matters most for Julian and Brianna is their safe return home. "I'm proud of my father because he's willing to give his life for his country," Brianna says. "He's [been] away from us for so long. It's different not having him around." Julian already knows how he'll welcome his mother home. He says he'll line up his pets--Phoebe, a Pomeranian, and Zachary, a hamster--and give her a parade. "I won a gold necklace necklace: see jewelry. [in a raffle]," he says. "When I see my mom, I'm going to scream and hug her. Then I'm going to give her the necklace. She'll love it." Your Turn THINK ABOUT IT 1. What do Brianna and Julian do to help ease their worries? 2. Would you want to volunteer for the armed services The Constitution authorizes Congress to raise, support, and regulate armed services for the national defense. The President of the United States is commander in chief of all the branches of the services and has ultimate control over most military matters. ? What sacrifices would be necessary? What rewards might you gain? * OBJECTIVE Students should understand * the challenges that many families of U.S. troops have experienced during the war in Iraq. * TEACHING STRATEGY Ask students: "Would you enlist in the U.S. armed forces?" Explore with students the reasons why a person would enlist in the military. * BACKGROUND Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said last month that he expects U.S. troops to remain in Iraq until 2008--depending on the ability of Iraq's new security forces to protect the country independently. The recent increase of U.S. troops in Iraq came at a time when coalition allies Honduras, New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. , Nicaragua, the Philippines, Spain, and Thailand ended their commitment of military forces. Hungary plans to withdraw in March, and Poland may withdraw all of its troops by 2005. * CRITICAL THINKING MAIN IDEA: How have Julian Peters and Brianna Wright been affected by the war in Iraq? (Both Julian and Brianna have a parent currently serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq. In addition to taking on more responsibilities at home, both kids worry for their parent's safety.) MAIN IDEA: What is part of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Michael Wright's (Brianna's father) official duty in Iraq? (Wright is training Iraq's new military force.) * ACTIVITY CARE PACKAGE TO U.S. TROOPS: Ask students: "If you were a U.S. soldier fighting in a war, what items from home would you miss most?" Ask students to explain their choices. Afterward af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. Adv. 1. afterward - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently"; "he's going to the store but he'll be back here , guide them to the homefronthugs.com Web site to learn more about sending care packages overseas to a U.S. soldier. STANDARDS SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8 * Individuals, groups, and institutions: How the children and families of U.S. soldiers are affected by warfare. * Power, authority, and government: How the U.S.-led war in Iraq is progressing. RESOURCES * Avi, Don't You Know There's a War On? (Harper Trophy, 2003). Grades 7-8. * Paterson, Katherine, Park's Quest (Puffin, 1989). Grades 5-8. * Roberts, Jeremy, U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Those Active and Reserve Component Army forces designated by the Secretary of Defense that are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. Also called ARSOF. (Lerner Pub 2004). Grades 5-8. WEB SITES * Homefront Hugs USA homefronthugs.com * American Red Cross American Red Cross: see Red Cross. www.redcross.org SPECIAL: THE HOMEFRONT, PAGES 8-9 * Use a word from the list to correctly complete each sentence. Army, Baghdad, brother, chores, December, Falluja, homework, Iraq, insurgents, March, mother, Muslims, reservists, stepmother 11. Julian and Brianna try to avoid worrying about their parents by doing more-- 12. --have stepped up their attacks as the January 30 national elections near. 13. Brianna's father is helping to train--'s new military force. 14. Julian's--has been in Baghdad, Iraq, since last February. 15. The U.S.-led attack against Saddam Hussein's regime began in--2003. 11. chores 12. Insurgents 13. Iraq 14. mother 15. March |
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