Families of 1140th hold picnic at Kiwanis Park

About 50 people showed up for the Family Readiness Group's picnic at Kiwanis Park on Saturday.

The group, which formed when the 1140th Engineer Battalion's deployment to Iraq was not yet a fact, "has been slow in coming together, but it's solid," said Kristi Heise, the leader of the group. "We're there for each other. A lot of friendships have been formed and others made stronger."

A key to coping is communication with their loved ones serving overseas; it helps them through the anxiety of not knowing whether that news clip on television or story in the newspaper directly affected their soldier.

Heise said her husband, Kenny, calls and says he's doing fine. She doesn't watch the news because she believes she's better off not knowing.

Besides a weekly phone call, Cape Girardeau newlyweds Brandi and Beau Mewhirter virtually visit four or five times a week with the aid of the Internet, a camera and a microphone.

If not for strong family support and the Family Readiness Group, Brandi Mewhirter said, she would have lost hope.

"It's comforting knowing that I'm not the only one," she said.

Communication is supported through a newsletter and a Web site. Michael Toeniskoetter, whose father, Matthew, is now serving in Iraq, said he feels like he can do his part to support the troops by preparing the newsletter.

"My mom, Lalita, was kind of emotional when my dad left and said we needed to go to this support group. I didn't want to," he said. "But I found a place right away. Now I look forward to going to the meetings."

The Web site provides the most recent information and pictures to soldiers and their families. It networks the 1140th companies of Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Farmington and Charleston.

The Family Readiness Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the armory at 2626 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau.

capagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133