Mainers fear for loved ones on front lines

PORTLAND – For Mainers with sons and daughters serving in the military in the Middle East, the anxiety level was ratcheted up with reports of Iraqi missiles being fired at U.S. troops.

Patti Heins of West Gardiner said she watched some of the reports Thursday but eventually had to turn off her television.

“I don’t want to glue myself to the TV because I get myself upset. If I do that, I’ll be a basket case,” said Heins, whose only son, Christopher, is a Navy helicopter technician assigned to Kuwait.

The war began Wednesday night with a wave of 40 cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs targeting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. By Thursday afternoon, U.S. forces crossed into southern Iraq at the start of a ground offensive.

Walt Semon, the father of a Marine stationed in Kuwait, listened with sadness and trepidation as the war commenced.

“It’s a hard thing. He’s there, we’re here,” said Semon, himself a former serviceman, who lives on Peaks Island. His son is a lance corporal in an infantry division in the Kuwaiti desert.

As the war began, Maine’s congressional delegation rallied around the troops. Rep. Michael Michaud acknowledged that people have differing opinions about a war, but he said it was time to set aside differences.

“Regardless of our perspective on the use of military force in Iraq, it is now time for us to come together as a nation,” said Michaud, a Democrat, who added his prayers for a “safe and swift return” of U.S. troops.

Protesters continued to make their voices known with demonstrations from Kennebunk to Bangor.

Heins said it was important to support the troops, whether or not you believe all of the rhetoric.

“I support my troops 100 percent. I may not support what everyone says, but I support my troops,” said Heins, who has an Anchors Aweigh computer screen saver to remind her of her son.

Elaine Crosby of Wayne, whose son Derrick joined the Marines after graduating from high school last spring, said her deep religious convictions were allowing her to avoid worrying too much.

Crosby said she prayed to St. Joseph for her son’s health when he joined the Marines, and the first shots were fired on the same day as the Roman Catholic feast of St. Joseph. “I took it as a good sign,” she said.

Most Mainers tried to go about their business as usual despite the war and the lingering threat of terrorism.

At the Portland International Jetport, travelers seemed to be taking it all in stride. Jeff Schultes, airport manager, said there were security upgrades but that travelers wouldn’t notice the difference.

Stephanie Potts, 27, of Portland, said she didn’t consider changing her plans to visit San Diego for vacation. But she said that the thought of the possible terrorism risks was present in the back of her mind.

“I certainly am more nervous about flying than if we just didn’t start this war, but it’s not going to stop me from doing what I planned because the terrorists would win if you rearrange your life,” she said.

Associated Press reporters David Sharp and Ann S. Kim contributed to this report.