Caledonia Argus

Mothers find strength in support group

Posted: 5/25/04

Several women who have sons in military service meet every other Monday to talk about their kids.

Itís a support group, Joleen Fink said on May 24 while she and four others ate lunch at the Kwik Trip in Caledonia. Her son, David, is a specialist in the Army Reserves, and spent a year in Iraq.

ìWe understand what one another goes through,î she said.

Jean Klinskiís son, Nathan, is a sergeant in the Army serving in Kosovo. ìWe can each cry and everybody else understands,î she said.

They have been meeting since January 2003. The idea came from Shelley Jilek of Caledonia, Fink said. Jilek saw that many of her friends had children in the armed forces, so she invited them to her home and expressed her concern for them as a mother. Shortly after that, the mothers started meeting every other Monday.

They ask a lot of questions, share the news that their sons have given them, and tell their concerns and feelings.

All mothers of servicemen are invited to join them.

The group also includes:

ï Diana Hammell, mother of two servicemen: Dr. Abe Hammell, a Navy lieutenant at Everett Naval Hospital in Everett, Washington, who was on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln during its 10 month deployment in the Persian Gulf; and Second Lieutenant Lucas Hammell in the Air National Guard in Des Moines.

ï Judy Massman, mother of specialist Chad Massman, an Army Reserve member who spent a year in Iraq and is now living in Caledonia.

ï Carolyn Hollatz, mother of Phillip Hollatz, who was in the Army, did a tour in Iraq, and is now discharged. He lives in Virginia.

Lori Ellenz, whose son Jacob is a PFC in the Army, also did a tour in Iraq, and is now stationed in Georgia, is also a member of the group.

Top of Page