Each day when the war started Brian Drescher has been looking to see where his son might be.

“We watch the news all the time seeing if we could get a glimpse,” Drescher, of Albert Lea, said. “Where he is at this time we don’t exactly know, but no matter where he is, he is always with us.”

Drescher’s son, Lance Cpl. Brooks, is in the second battalion of the First Marine division which is in Iraq.

Brooks has been in the Marines for a year and a half. He was stationed out of San Diego and was called up to Kuwait in early January.

Brian Drescher says it is hard not to think about his son all the time.

“I try to stay busy with my work,” he said. “But I find myself, when I have moments to reflect, thinking of my son all the time.”

He continued, “As a family we are very supportive of what Brooks is doing as well as being very concerned about what Brooks is doing.”

The strength and support of those close to him has made it an easier time for Brian and his family.

“Friends, family and co-workers have been very concerned and have offered a lot of nice words toward our family,” he said. “They’ve shown a lot of compassion.”

Throughout Albert Lea, Freeborn County and the region, there are families who are dealing with the same issues. Some have husbands or wives gone, others have sons and daughters, and many have neighbors, co-workers and friends fighting overseas.

In some communities, a few call ups can change day to day life for everyone.

In Wells, the effects of the war go beyond the homes of families and into local churches. Two local pastors were called to serve.

One of them, Rev. Paul Baker of Good Shepard Lutheran Church, was called up to serve as chaplain at the Pentagon. He left for Washington D.C. on Thursday.

Evelyn Baker, his wife, explained that he could be gone for as long as a year. She said that his call up information told them very little about what he would be doing or what his role might be.

The larger effect of his call up, she said, is at the church.

“It’s a big disruption for the family and for the congregation,” she said. “But it’s something that you just expect when he’s a chaplain in the reserves.”

Evelyn said the church has an associate pastor, but they are also in the process of finding an interim one.

Paul had been called up soon after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Evelyn said that leave of absence wasn’t as bad because it lasted just two and a half months.

While the congregation is waiting for a temporary replacement and her husband is gone, Evelyn said she wasn’t extremely surprised by his call up.

“You just expect there are just times when he’ll be gone,” she said. “It’s not hard on our family personally, because children are all grown up. I feel bad for families that have members that are getting called up and leaving young children at home.”

For Diane Fynbo the conflict in Iraq hits home. Both of her children are overseas.

Eric, 21, and Beth, 25, are both sergeants in the Army.

&uot;It’s changed my daily life,&uot; Diane said.

Fynbo says she thinks of her children throughout each day.

During the first few days of war, she said she watched television almost constantly for new developments. But the coverage became overwhelming.

&uot;After Saturday when they started showing the soldiers taken captive, when they showed the pictures of these soldiers, that was a bit much,&uot; she said. &uot;It was just upsetting. Now, pretty much, the T.V. is not on in our house.&uot;

Eric works in communications between the fighting divisions and the various command centers. Beth works for the Army’s television station, the Armed Forces Network. Beth has been in the military for six years, Eric for four.

Diane says the two were able to get together before the war started.

&uot;Eric was in Kuwait for about two weeks before Beth was there,&uot; she said. &uot;The minute her plane landed, he found her. They spent about two weeks together before they had to go their separate ways.&uot;

Diane said she hears from Beth every 10 days, but hears from Eric less regularly. Now that the conflict has started, she said she won’t get to hear from them.

She hopes that they can get home safely soon.

&uot;I told Eric, ‘When you get out, whenever you are out,’ I said. ‘Mandatory you stay with your mom for at least three months,’&uot; she said.

Diane said that she has received nothing but support from friends and family.

&uot;In a crisis situation you really find out how good your friends really are,&uot; she said. &uot;My co-workers have been so supportive and understanding, my neighbors have been calling every day. It’s pretty touching really.&uot;