WICHITA

Family catches glimpse of son in Iraq photo

A photo of Marines fighting near Baghdad has brought comfort to a Wichita mother.

Teressa Hackworth said the photo in The Wichita Eagle on Tuesday was the first glimpse she had of her son, Pfc. Shane Smith, 19, since he deployed in mid-February.

The family didn’t get a letter from Smith, who is with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, until after the first Marine was killed in combat.

“I was excited to see him,” said Hackworth, “but I worry about him being up there.”

FORT RILEY

Chaplain learning daily lessons from soldiers

Army chaplain Masaki Nakazono said he knew that eventually the soldiers in the tank unit he had been assigned to were going to need his guidance.

But for now, Capt. Nakazono said, he is the one learning life’s lessons every day from the soldiers in the 1st Battalion, 13th Armor.

The troops are leaving for Iraq every day, and Nakazono will be going with them.

“Take advantage of every moment you have with your family — as we talk, that’s what soldiers talk to me about,” Nakazono said. “I see a lot of soldiers with pictures of their loved ones in their combat helmets.”

JUNCTION CITY

Wives plan rally to support troops

Several hundred people from across Kansas are expected to join soldiers’ wives Saturday at a rally for troops fighting in Iraq.

The Heart of America Support Rally in Junction City’s Heritage Park is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., but a group of Army wives plans to rally at the location for a couple of hours before the official event.

“We will be supporting our soldiers,” said organizer Janet Russell, whose husband is deployed.

Among the messages the Heart of America rally is sending is civilian support for the military family. While the soldiers are gone they are missing the birth of their children, their babies’ first steps, their teenager’s first loves, birthdays and anniversaries.

Organizers say they hope for a large turnout.