A MOTHER'S CAREER AND TAKING CARE OF OUR MILITARY

I've been on a busy schedule the last week to Chicago twice ... St. Louis twice ... and plans are to be in mid-Missouri this week.

Makes it hard to keep up with all of the e-mails, voice mails, letters, newspapers and trade publications, but one of the purposes of these trips has been to reduce my activity with three state or national boards on which I serve. By this time next summer, those obligations will be reduced dramatically as I'm trying to build more flex time in my schedule.

Please understand if my columns are disjointed (as some feel they always are) and that my actions and responses are somewhat slower than I or you would prefer. Thanks.

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I always marvel at mothers who have to deal with children and all of the related tasks that accompany being a mother and wife (we have six children and 11 grandchildren).

Here's a tribute to their busy career!

I'm Just a Mother! Excuse Me!: A few months ago, when I was picking up the children at school, another mother I know well rushed up to me. Emily was fuming with indignation. "Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded. Before I could answer, and I really didn't have one handy, she blurted out the reason for her question. It seemed she had just returned from renewing her driver's license. Asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation, Emily had hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a ... ?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."

"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation. 'Housewife' covers it," said the recorder.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our town hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman: poised, efficient and possessed of a high-sounding title like Official Interrogator or Town Registrar. "And what is your occupation?" she probed. The words simply popped out.

"I'm a research associate in the field of child development and human relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pompous pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't?) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my masters (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers, and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants, ages 13, 7 and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (6 months) in the child-development program testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother." Motherhood ... what a glorious career. Especially when there's a title on the door. -- Author unknown

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No man is above the law and no man below it.

No man is justified in doing evil on the grounds of expediency.

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. -- Theodore Roosevelt

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We sometimes forget the dangers faced by our men and women in uniform. The recent suicide bomb attack on the destroyer Cole that killed American sailors and wounded many more reminds us of our obligation to find the best equipment and provide the best training for those at risk.

The following is this week's column from U.S. Rep. JO ANN EMERSON:

Building a strong, capable military: With a heavy heart, I salute the dedication of the soldiers on the U.S.S. Cole, the families of those soldiers who were tragically lost. These soldiers gave their lives in the service of their country and we shall not forget their sacrifice. Nor shall we fail to find and severely punish the parties responsible. This cowardly attack on the U.S.S. Cole reminds all of us of the dangers which America faces and what we must do to confront these dangers.

It is critically important with the unrest in the Middle East and the increasing threats of terrorism to our country that we keep our military strong and prepared for action. Year after year, our military has been expected to take cuts in its budget, yet serve in more and more capacities all over the world.

In Congress, we have followed through on a serious commitment to boost in our national defense. Recently, the House passed the 2001 Defense Authorization Act which will, among other things, enhance readiness and quality of life for our military facilities and active duty soldiers. This bill will be sent to the president for his signature after expected Senate passage.

The morale of our troops is, unfortunately, at a low point right now. Our servicemen and women will be given a 3.7 percent pay raise so they can properly care for their families. In addition, there is a targeted subsistence payment for our troops of up to $500 per month to bring our economically challenged personnel off of food stamps, and other funds to reduce the costs of out-of-pocket housing expenses. With this bill, we are taking important steps toward building morale and providing incentives for our experienced servicemen and women to remain in the military.

The Defense Authorization Act also allows significant investments in the future of our military. Congress has finally turned away from the trend of gutting our armed forces and directed our focus on maintaining our status as the world superpower. With increased funding to maintain and replace aging equipment and increase and improve training facilities for military personnel, this bill will bring long-term stability. In addition, $4.8 billion has been allocated for the Ballistic Missile Defense system to protect our nation from ballistic missile threats.

Finally, the Defense Authorization Act takes care of those who have already served our country by making good on that promise for lifetime health-care coverage to all military retirees and their family members.

With the state of unrest in the Middle East, it is imperative that we provide for the servicemen and women who provide for the defense of America's freedom. It is a big responsibility to serve the United States in the military, and sadly, sometimes lives are lost. It is our duty to give our service men and women the financial and moral support they deserve.

~Gary Rust is the president of Rust Communications.