A way to cope

Since her son, Sgt. Thomas Bouchard, is in the 101st Airborne Division, Therri Bouchard thinks he is in Baghdad right now.

But she can’t be sure.

The last time the career soldier contacted his wife in Kentucky, he was in Kuwait.

“We’re not hearing from him. He’s in battle and not able to make phone calls. The only news we’re getting is from television,” she said.

Therri Bouchard, along with other family members, keeps a close watch on the CNN Web site, which lists MIAs, POWs and casualties from the war in Iraq.

Sgt. Bouchard’s name has never appeared.

“No news is good news,” she said.

It’s tough watching television and keeping an eye on the Web site, but Therri Bouchard is trying to take it one day at a time.

“I’m in school and pretty busy. My coping mechanism is keeping up with daily stuff,” she said.

– Eileen Adams


Greenwood
Leave the light on

Home life for the Groves family has been a little brighter lately, at least in one way.

Mary Groves, whose son Scott is headed for Iraq as a member of the Army National Guard, is leaving a “Scotty light” on.

Normally, the light is left on to help Scott find his way around inside if he comes home at night, said his sister Deanna.

Now, however, it’s on day and night.

Scott Groves is a heavy equipment driver with the Maine Army National Guard’s 1136th Transportation Co. of Sanford.

“It stays on until all of the troops come home,” Deanna said.

– Terry Karkos

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