By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Barb Bodley

Barb Bodley, whose only child is a U.S. soldier in Kuwait, didn't sleep much during the first days of fighting in Iraq. But even in the wee hours of the night, she could find comforting words from mothers nationwide who share her fears.

Bodley logged on to a Web site called Military Moms to read messages of support and promises of prayers from others with sons or daughters in the military.

"The amount of encouragement from one Christian to another has been incredible," says Bodley, who lives in Deerfield Township with her husband, Raymond. "It has meant a lot to me that people who don't know each other can feel so deeply for one another, and will let them know they're praying for them."

While a number of Web sites strive to connect military families and ease their anxiety, Military Moms also aims "to spread the word of Jesus Christ and his love," according to its mission statement.

Bodley discovered the site while surfing the Web a week before the war began. She continues to log on every day, sometimes in the morning before going to teach at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy's Otto Armleder Memorial Education Center, downtown; sometimes at lunch; and always in the evening.

Her 23-year-old son, Brad, is serving with the Army's 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery. Brad's wife, Faith, is also in the Army, stationed in Germany.

"New people are coming on (to the Web site) every day, so they're concerned and upset and scared," Bodley says. "There are always words of encouragement. Sometimes people are looking for help with something, and somebody always knows where to look for help."

For the most part, the site's users know each other only by first name. Last week, Renee from Maine posted this message:

My daughter is in The Big Sandbox with the U.S. Army. Although I couldn't be prouder of her, I'm so worried sick at this point, I feel immobilized by my fears...Friends have gathered around, but I still feel like they really don't know what I'm going through. Then I feel guilty for feeling that way.

Among the responses was this from Karen in New York:

WEB SITES

Other Web sites that can be helpful to military families: Sgt. Mom's Run by a military wife, this site includes a forum, frequently asked questions and links to other sites. CinCHouse.com. A site created "to help military wives and women in the military manage day-to-day life, and get on with the adventure," the Web site says. Marine Moms A chat room, links to Marine Corps Web sites, answers to questions about deployment and more.

There are a lot of us going through the same emotions you are. There are many days when well-meaning friends are the last people I want to deal with...Just keep writing and keep praying - we WILL get through this together.

The need for group support spurred Wendy Pettit of Amherst, N.Y., to start Military Moms on the day in August 2001 when her son left for Army boot camp. As she stood amid other sobbing mothers who watched their children depart, "It hit me - I'm not the only person feeling this way," she says.

Her 19-year-old son, Jeremy, is now in Iraq, a door gunner with the Army's 101st Airborne Division.

Innocent times

But in those pre-Sept. 11 days, few people saw a need for military families to connect. Terrorist acts, U.S. intervention in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq have changed that.

Today Military Moms has more than 2,100 registered users from every state, and the number grows daily. Many more visit as guests; the site receives 5,000 to 6,000 hits a day.

"I never envisioned for this Web site to take off like this," says Pettit, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mother of five. Until seven years ago she lived in West Liberty, a small town in central Ohio.

"I feel it's moving so well just because God's so involved with it. This site is very strong for prayer and support."

Some of the posted messages are heart breakers, such as one March 26 from a Portland, Ore., woman:

We got word on Monday that my nephew is missing. We don't know anything right now. My brother called to tell me and he is just devastated. Please keep Tony in your prayers...

Within minutes, 10 responses had arrived from Ohio, Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere around the country. Since then, nearly 100 have been sent.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family! wrote a Euclid, Ohio, woman.

A New Jersey woman wrote simply: Praying. Praying.

Janice Edwards

Like Bodley and Pettit, Janice Edwards of Delhi Township knows how it feels to send a son into a war zone. Andrew Edwards, a 20-year-old paratrooper with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, spent almost six months in Afghanistan. He returned to the States in January.

During deployment, "Your mind goes into overtime," says Edwards, who also has a daughter and whose husband, Harold, is the Delhi Township fire chief. "What are they doing? Is he all right?"

She needed someone who understood just how she felt, and stumbled across Military Moms. "It's like somebody holding your hand and patting it, saying, 'It's going to be OK.' " Edwards says.

Her son is safe now, but she still logs on every day. Rather than seeking solace, she offers it to others.

Lasting bond

Edwards and Bodley had conversed online, but met in person for the first time this week in the Enquirer photo studio. Bodley is looking forward to meeting other Military Moms members at a luncheon Saturday in Grove City, Ohio.

Theirs is a bond built by messages exchanged through long, worrisome days and nights.

"You'd be surprised," Edwards says, "how many women are there (online) at 1 or 2 (a.m.)."

They share concerns, but also victories. The April 1 rescue of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch set computer keyboards clacking.

From "Sam's mom," in Illinois: They just announced an American POW was rescued from Iraq!!!!!

From a mother in Alabama: Praises to God in Heaven.

From Anne in Maryland: This is THE most wonderful news.

Pettit and Bodley continue to wait for their wonderful news: that their loved ones are safe and returning home.

"Ever since (my son) left," Pettit says, "I'm always worried and wondering. And praying."

Thanks to Military Moms, she knows she's not alone.

E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com