VIDALIA &045;&045; Kathleen Stevens and Tanya Jenkins didn’t want to be in this situation.

They would much rather have had their sons at home than in Iraq.

But they’ve had to make do, and that means getting together to help the soldiers &045;&045; and their families &045;&045;in any way they can.

So they set up family support groups, made phone trees to spread information, held raffles to raise money, helped start a newsletter and worked with a prayer group.

They also helped raise money for a monument in front of the old Concordia Parish Courthouse to honor the service of 40 soldiers from the 1086th Transportation Company of the Louisiana National Guard.

For their efforts, the Louisiana National Guard awarded both women the Louisiana Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, presented during festivities at the Vidalia Fourth of July celebrations.

&uot;It was certainly a group effort. I never expected anything like this (award),&uot; Jenkins said. &uot;(Working with the group) kept me busy and kept my mind off of what (my son) Michael was doing.&uot;

The certificates read, in part, &uot;Your selfless service and dedication as a volunteer contributed greatly to the successful activation and mobilization during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Your actions bring great credit upon yourself, the Family Support Group, the 1086th Transportation Company and the Louisiana Army National Guard.&uot;

Jenkins said having the chance to talk with other family members of soldiers helped her get through the time her son was away.

&uot;It was very emotional,&uot; Jenkins said. &uot;I called Kathy crying a few times, I know. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through.&uot;

Jenkins also served as one of the main providers of news to other soldiers’ families. Her son Michael had a cell phone and told her what was happening to him and his company members, news she passed on.

Stevens’ son Brian wasn’t even in Iraq when she began working with the support group. He had one more officer class to take and thus was held back when the 1086th was sent as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. But Brian still had a request for his mother.

&uot;He asked if I would help with a family support group,&uot; Stevens said. &uot;He said, ‘This is your mission if you care to accept it.’&uot;

Stevens said the experience helped prepare her for when her son did go to Iraq.

&uot;I learned a lot from the other family members for when my turn came,&uot; Stevens said.

Brian is still in Iraq serving with the 256th Brigade out of Crowley. He is scheduled to come home in September after more than a year away from his family.

Michael Jenkins spent 10 months in Iraq in 2003 with the 1086th. He will begin a job working on tugboats in August.