After being glued to CNN during the Persian Gulf War, when her son-in-law was serving in the war zone, Dee Russell pledged she would not do that again out of concern for her health.

But Wednesday, "Here I am, sitting in front of the TV with MSNBC on," said the Farrell woman, who has multiple sclerosis.

This time, the stakes are even higher. Not only is her son-in-law, Army 1st Lt. John M. Cidila Jr., back in the Middle East, but her son, Army CW2 William Kilgore, has been in Kuwait and is on a covert mission. He told her about three weeks ago, the last time she heard from him, that he probably will not be able to contact her again until the war is over.

Ms. Russell said she has "been on an emotional roller coaster" as war has seemed imminent, and then a new round of diplomacy has postponed the threat.

"I know what it did to me," Ms. Russell said. "I wonder what it has done to our military over there."

The cycle began again Wednesday as the U.S. military hit targets inside Iraq.

"I think the full start of the war is yet to begin," she said of the air strikes. "In my evaluation, they're trying to intimidate Saddam Hussein and his followers."

After hearing of Iraqi Army defections, she said, "Maybe it's working. I hope so."

Laddie Ohl said he's unfazed by the process that has led the U.S. to the brink of war.

"I feel it's just part of the procedure," said the Transfer man, whose son, Marine Lance Cpl. Nathan D. Ohl, is an amphibious assault vehicle crew member in Kuwait. "You can't just walk in and say, 'Here we go.' You have to make arrangements first."

Ohl said he supports President Bush's handling of the situation.

"I'm not one who thinks the war is unnecessary," he said. "Someone had to stand up and say, 'Time's up.' We couldn't wait forever and wait for another Sept. 11."

Ohl said his son was told "he's going to be one of the first ones in Baghdad."

Speaking to him Monday, the soldier was "upbeat," Ohl said. "He wasn't excited about doing it but he wasn't fearful either. He's talking about getting it over with and coming home.

"I worry about him being on the front line all the time," he said. "Being there means anything could happen."

Tom and Marsha Gibbons of Hermitage don't know for certain where they're son, Army Capt. Michael Gibbons, is stationed. Gibbons left more than two weeks ago, possibly for Kuwait, but he wasn't allowed to say where he was going, his father said.

Michael Gibbons is a nurse anesthetist with a Forward Advanced Surgical Team.

"He said, 'When I go we're going to be extremely busy," Tom Gibbons said. " 'If you don't hear from me shortly it's because we're busy and not because I don't want to call.' "

Shawn Marstellar talked Wednesday with her husband, Army Lt. Jeffrey Marstellar, who is in Afghanistan.

"He's doing wonderful," the Wheatland woman said. "He's anxious for things to get under way so he can get home quicker. I think they're (the service men and women) all anxious. I think they would feel better if things would begin, and they could see an end in sight to their tours of duty. They're kind of in limbo right now waiting to see what happens."

The Marstellars have four children, Denee, 13; Hallie, 8; Brennan, 5; and Reagan, 6 months.

"They're handling it very well. I think as children of a military man they're more aware of things that are going on than other children," Mrs. Marstellar said. "They pay close attention to the news. They understand what's going on. They realize dad has to be away but will get home when he can."

Mrs. Marstellar said being at home alone with the children while her husband is in the Middle East is stressful, but she's learning how to manage.

"I pay close attention to the news every night," she said. "I'm just very behind the president. I think he's doing the right thing, and I'm proud of what our country and our troops are doing."

David and Beth Brown's son, John A. Derry AFC, is in Little Rock, Ark. Brown said they get to talk to their son frequently.

Derry hasn't received his deployment orders yet but "he has no problem going, and he'll do what he needs to do," Brown said. "Right now, knock on wood, he doesn't have any papers to go anywhere."

"It's kind of hard. We miss him. His mom misses him a lot but he's doing real good," Brown said.

Brown said he supports the war effort. "I think that it's something that needs to be done. Unfortunately, along with Britain, we're the only two countries who agree and can do much about it."