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Jed Boal reportingMany Utah families today are carrying on their military traditions with a new generation. Some families are carrying a great weight on their shoulders and in their hearts.
April Elzinga and her daughter-in-law Jane McBride are thankful they can get news from the battlefields of Iraq, even if the updates are few and far between.
Elzinga's son, Sgt. Don McBride, has served in the Army nearly seven years. Currently, he's driving fuel tankers on the supply line from Kuwait to troops in battle.
Her daughter, Specialist April Stevens, is in an Army transportation unit securing an airfield in Northern Iraq. And her son-in-law, Specialist Mark Stevens, will deploy soon.
"April Elzinga/Soldiers' Mother: THEY'VE JUST ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE PRIDE IN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY."
Elzinga says when her daughter April deployed, she expressed a chilling sense of the mission ahead.
"April Elzinga/Soldiers' Mother: SHE SAID, MOM, I REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M COMING HOME THIS TIME, BUT I WANT TO MAKE MY CHILDREN PROUD, AND I'VE GOT YOUR BACK."
Elzinga talked to her daughter for five minutes Saturday night. Her daughter said conditions were tough and asked her mom to pray for her.
"April Elzinga/Soldiers' Mother: SHE SOUNDED EXTREMELY STRONG, BUT, TERRIFIED AT THE SAME TIME."
Her son-in law, Spec. Mark Stevens, is a blackhawk helicopter mechanic. Both are stationed out of Fort Hood, Texas.
Elzinga's son, Sgt. McBride, told his wife recently that the war has been difficult to stomach, but he believes in the mission.
Jane McBride/Soldier's Wife: "HE WANTED TO BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT, SOMETHING THAT WAS LARGER THAN HE WAS...BUT THAT HE WAS BIG ENOUGH TO HELP."
Elzinga has gained comfort from letters from Lincoln Elementary Third graders:
"I KNOW IT'S RIGHT TO BE THERE, BUT MY HEART BREAKS EVERY TIME A SOLDIER'S LIFE IS TAKEN OR A POW IS TAKEN...THESE ARE ALL MY CHILDREN'S AGE...AND MY HEART BREAKS FOR EVERY OTHER MOTHER OUT THERE."
Arpil Elzinga says her children do not believe the war is in vain. They tell her they are fighting for the freedom of the Iraqi people, and will prevail.
