SOUTH BEND -- It may have been dreary day outside, but for dozens of local military moms, it couldn't have been any brighter. Their sons just returned home from Iraq 3 days ago. On Sunday, they got an unexpected chance to say “Happy Mother’s Day” in person.
When Company F deployed to Kuwait last June, soldiers and their families were prepared to spend up to 15 months apart. But last month, President Bush signed a bill ensuring no soldier would spend more than a year serving overseas unless they volunteered to do so.
That's when Company F learned they'd be coming home early, just in time to deliver the best Mother's Day presents ever: themselves.
"It is a special thing to have," said Cindy Rice, a wide smile on her face, and her son, Spc. Nick Rice seated by her side in their Niles, Michigan home. "I'm still on Cloud 9! I wanted him home as soon as possible, and [this is the best present possible for today], yes, it is."
But it isn't just the day that's making Mother's Day 2008 extra sweet.
"It's like every day is Mother's Day to have him home," she said.
It's a feeling that's spread quickly among the 160 families in Company F.
It's also a stark contrast to the unit's last Mother's Day, as they trained to deploy overseas.
For 8 months and 17 days, they provided convoy security on the war torn streets of Baghdad. For their loved ones back home, it seemed never ending.
And for many of their mothers, even a rainy, dreary Sunday with their name on it, couldn't come quick enough.
"We were so anxious, waiting for that time to come," said Marsha Wade, from her home in Goshen. Her son Spc. Ken Wade serves in Company F. "It's pretty awesome and a great blessing to be able to do this, especially on a day like today."
For the Wades, the joy of Mother's Day was celebrated by focusing on the "simple" things.
"There's nothing like hearing your son say 'mom' in person," said Marsha, with a big grin.
And, there's nothing like hearing your son say 'dad' either.
Just ask Ken's son, Hunter, who had a big grin of his own.
"We played Wii, and we played with my boat," he said.
"We've got some big plans," said Dad with a laugh. "We're going to go fishing, play some video games, and do some yard work."
And even that couldn't take Hunter's grin away.
There's a great reason why.
Laughs, hugs, and memories that time apart, could never tear apart.
"This was one of my presents," said Marsha, holding up a book. "It's called 'Why a Son Needs a Mom.'"
When asked if some of his mother's advice stuck with him while he was serving, Ken replied, "Oh, yeah, it did. It kind of grounds you when you call home."
Nick felt it too.
"I couldn't imagine being over there without the support of my family," he said.
Still, there's no denying that things have changed.
"I was well aware that things were going to be different," said Spc. Rice. "The job is going to be different. Kids are going to grow up, and things like that. But so far, it hasn't been too hard to get back into the picture, the way it was when we left."
And for both soldiers, that support means "understanding."
Cindy Rice joined the military in 1974 and was deployed to Iraq while serving with the National Guard during Operation Desert Storm.
Ken Wade, Sr. served in harm's way too during the Vietnam War. Today, his son works as an Elkhart police officer, while he is an Indiana Conservation police officer.
The connections, they say, are invaluable, especially with the tough adjustment to life back home now underway.
But on Sunday, getting back to "normal" was a breeze. All it took was a simple message to mom.
"The message is, of course, that I love her," said Nick, with a laugh, and a hug.
"That is a great present," agreed both mothers.
Just maybe, it's the best one they'll ever get.
