At the 101st they still talk about the guardsman who went off to Europe, leaving a pregnant wife and seven children. But members of the unit have tried to prepare. Carla Cyr has arranged for her cats, Lindy and Feetzal, to move in with a friend and found someone to move into her house. Watering the plants won't be a chore. Cathy Vigue, mother of three, has her duffel bag packed.
Children suffer such absences most of all.
We have kind of a cavalier attitude about this because we love our work. Everyone agrees the waiting is the worst. The rumors are rampant. Cragin, the assistant defense secretary, said the Pentagon already is working to make sure reservists are notified as soon as possible if needed. Troops want to know when they're going, and when they're coming back - and so do their bosses.