Soldier's wife expands Web site to help loved ones

by Debra Winters

Dealing with the deployment of a loved one is a difficult process, but thanks to one local resident the answers to many questions are just a click away.
After hearing that her husband, Sgt. Scott W. Kowalski, would be deployed to Iraq for one year, Abby Tymchak knew their relationship would be reduced to letters and e-mails. As she began speaking with other military wives already dealing with deployment, Tymchak learned about various care package ideas and she decided to create a Web site where she could share these ideas and more with others people in her shoes.
Since starting the site, http://www.thesoldiersfamily.com/ Tymchak has expanded it into a handbook for deployments

“Ever since my husband was deployed, I’ve had so many questions from family and friends. Whenever I get a new question I add it to my site,” said Tymchak. “Deployments are not only difficult for the soldier but also for the family that stays behind. I wanted to make the time while our soldiers are gone a little easier for the families that stay home supporting the troops.”
Kowalski, 31, is a lifelong Wayne resident. Tymchak, born in Lancaster, Pa, moved to Wayne three years ago. Prior to that she was living in Kutztown, Pa, where she graduated college. He joined the New Jersey National Guard after Sept. 11, 2001 occurred. Kowalski is currently stationed in Iraq. His exact whereabouts are kept confidential for security reasons.
Care packages from home, says Tymchak, are a big morale booster for the soldiers.
“One package I sent was a poster with pictures of us and one of our favorite quotes. Scott told me all the guys in his squad were having fun trying to guess what it was before he could open it. I get a lot of good feedback about how much the care packages mean to the guys overseas serving with Scott,” Tymchak said.
Kowalski and the other soldiers serving with him live in a dorm-type room. They are lucky to have Internet access, a decent size cafeteria, and a gym open 24 hours.
“The Internet is good for the soldiers and family members because they don’t have to go days without some connection,” she added.
Visitors to the Web site are welcomed with a patriotic photo of an American flag emblazoned across a soldier’s uniform. And if you scroll down on the home page the date and current times in both Iraq and Afghanistan is included as well as weather, for an added touch.
Links to care package ideas from spouses, children, family, and friends can be found as are an array of different holiday package ideas including Christmas, Halloween, Fourth of July, and birthdays. Information pertaining to the shipment of packages is also listed.
Tymchak’s has recently expanded the site to include information about a soldier’s R&R and homecoming. Right now Kowalski is expected to return in June.
“As I get closer to my husband’s deployment back home and as it approaches I’m getting more and more questions from family so I decided to add a new page,” she said.
Soldiers for long periods of time usually get a block of leave time — about 15 days — although nothing is guaranteed. Plans shouldn’t be made for a soldier’s return, says Tymchak, who encourages families to allow the soldier ample time to rest first.
Planning a vacation with a solider during leave time should be done during the middle of the soldier’s block of time home. If they are delayed getting back to the states you won’t miss your reservation. Alerting a travel company that a soldier is involved coming home could reflect a change in the dates at no extra cost.
The homecoming, says Tymchak, should be taken gracefully as a soldier adjustment period with the family could be a slow process depending on their experiences. Such places as theatrical shows or concerts could be too much with the noise and lights, and crowds at a mall might be uncomfortable.
“A soldier may not come right out and say these things bother them so it’s a good idea to take it slow getting back to normal life,” Tymchak suggests