CALEDONIA - It's an anniversary that Diana Rettig would rather not have to remember.

She remembers how numb she felt the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

At the time, Rettig had a five-year-old daughter in preschool and two sons, one in high school. She didn't realize the kind of effect the date would have on her oldest son, Jacob.

Seven years later, Rettig, 45, who lives with her family in Caledonia, uses a Web camera to communicate with Jacob, now 22, in Iraq, where he is stationed with the United States Army.

As the nation remembers the tragic events of Sept. 11, mothers like Rettig are reminded of the sacrifices their sons and daughters make as they serve in places like Iraq.

Jacob, an Army pilot, is serving his first tour of duty in Iraq. He was too young to enlist on Sept. 11, 2001, but the events on that day compelled him to serve, like it did many others.

That's what mothers like Rettig remember on this day, seven years after the terrorist attacks.

"It's an anniversary of the freedom that he chose to defend. When your son or daughter goes into the military, no matter what branch, you go in as a family," Rettig said. "They give up things that people take for granted. You're proud because you have that freedom."

Rettig and her friend Jennifer Dutton started the group Proud Military Moms a little more than two years ago. Their sons, both named Jake, had enlisted in the military.

As a military mom, Rettig needed an outlet, a place where she could talk about her experiences. The thoughts and prayers of friends and co-workers mean a lot, but it helps to talk with someone who knows what she's going through.

That's what Proud Military Moms is, a support group. The small and informal group meets monthly to chat and laugh and cry.

A year after starting the one group, Rettig helped get another group started that would be a little more formal, a group that could raise money for soldiers on active duty and those who returned home injured.

Rettig belongs to one of two chapters of the Blue Star Mothers of Southeast Wisconsin. The group is part of a larger national organization comprised of mothers who now have, or have had, children serving in the military.

The group gives families a chance to focus on their sons and daughters who are serving, rather than on the conflict they're serving in.

"He chose it. He wants to make a difference," Rettig said. "It's not about being a Republican or a Democrat. It's about doing what is best for the soldiers."

The local chapter meets once each month at the Knights of Columbus building, 13249 Washington Ave. The group will celebrate its one-year anniversary today with a pot-luck dinner starting at 6 p.m.

Rettig's is a close family, which helps her get through the tough times. Her son James, 19, a student at Marquette University, is in the Army ROTC program and he plans to enlist like his brother. The family doesn't have a military background, Diana Rettig said.

The groups she belongs to also help her when she needs help the most. The work she does prevents her from becoming paralyzed with grief and concern for her son and the dangers he faces serving his country.

So she has but a small request for anyone who might overlook Sept. 11 as just another day.

"Remember the families. Prayer for the soldiers," Rettig said. "They're doing this for you. Don't fight about the war, be supportive."

Blue Star Mothers

For more information about the Blue Star Mothers of Southeast Wisconsin Chapter 2, contact President Sue Gourdoux at (262) 884-8016 or by e-mail at bsmwi@yahoo.com

The group meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 13249 Washington Ave., Sturtevant.

For more information about the national organization Blue Star Mothers of America Inc., check online at: http://www.bluestarmothers.org

For information about the local group Proud Military Moms, contact Diana Rettig at (414) 254-0124. The group meets monthly at Apple Holler in Sturtevant.

Sept. 11 a solemn anniversary for military mothers