Caledonia Argus

Family Readiness supports troops, families

Posted: 4/1/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

An area organizationís concern over the transition families must make when reservists are called to active duty has allowed soldiers to maintain peace of mind as theyíve been called to assist with war efforts in the Middle East.

The Family Readiness program, serving Army Reserve unit #458 in Onalaska, has worked to assist service members and their families in preparing for separations during deployment. Director Carolyn Haugstad of Spring Grove says the program is intended to keep families in contact with soldiers overseas, and to help families remain viable while loved ones are sent away.

ìWeíre supporting the families that are left behind,î Haugstad said. ìWith each service person activated, we have the ties to reach out, and weíre letting our soldiers know we are supporting them by just being here for the families of soldiers as our service personnel are deployed.î

Family Readinessí primary function is to facilitate communication with families. When a soldier is called to duty, Family Readiness steps in and ascertains if the family is making do. ìAfter they get their orders, we call the families and verify point blank how theyíre doing, how theyíre feeling, and establish what sorts of problems theyíre encountering,î Haugstad said.

A telephone tree and an e-mail network are the backbone of the program, and a newsletter sent out keeps relatives abreast of relevant information. Monthly meetings held at the Army Reserve Center in the National Guard Armory in Onalaska help to foster ties between those whose loved ones have gone off to war.

Of the 90 servicemen in the Onalaska unit, 16 are on alert or have already been deployed. Many of the soldiers have specialty occupations, so will be called over one-by-one. So far, Haugstad noted, Family Readiness has been invaluable to those who have been sent.

ìOne soldier asked us to keep in touch with his girlfriend for him, another asked us to pass on his mailing address to his grandmother,î Haugstad said. ìA lot of the soldiers are leaving behind spouses and young children, and the soldiers know that weíre here for their families.î

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