Mother's Day not so special for mom worried about her son in Iraq
By Bruce Wallace
Children delivering gifts to their moms, taking them to dinner and so on, normally mark Mother's Day.
But for Ashland's Kelly Reichel, the gift she wants from her only child is for him to come home from Iraq in one piece.
Jared Reichel, 25, who attended Southern Boone schools through his elementary years, has served in the U.S. Army in Iraq as a gunner in a Humvee since Dec. 1, 2007. Reichel was home on leave in March, but since his return to Iraq, his communications with Kelly have been nearly non-existent due to nature of his assignment in fighting insurgents.
"I'm terrified," Reichel said of how she feels for her son, "but I'm very proud of him. He knew it (the war) was going to continue when he signed up. I pray for him every day."
Reichel said her situation is even more heart-wrenching with no communication, since Jared has been in a blackout area.
"Mother's Day is not a big deal for me because my only child is not here to celebrate it with me," Reichel said. "It will just seem like another day for me and my family. There's not a single day that goes by that the whole family doesn't think about him."
While she is missing her son, Reichel has her hands full of children each day as a SoBoCo bus driver.
"They are not my kids, so they really don't replace Jared," Reichel said, "but I just love the kids - especially the kids who run up and give you a hug or see you in the store and wave and smile at you. I miss Jared, but I do love those kids."
Reichel said that Jared should complete his tour of Iraq in February or March of 2009, but that his recent leave and trip home was exciting for the entire family. Jared also took the time to visit the SoBoCo fourth grade and his former teacher, Mrs. Chance.
"He really enjoyed talking to the kids because he loves to talk about his job," Reichel said. Reichel said her son has plans to attend MU, get a degree and complete a career in the Army as an officer.
"When he left for Iraq, I went to Ft. Carson (Colorado) and saw him off. I hope that is the toughest thing I ever have to do, I cried all the way to the Kansas state line when we drove home. You don't know how hard it is to send your child off to war."