Mother's Day Wishes, and Tears, for Mom in Iraq

May 14, 2006 — -- Children of the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan know the pain of war: They have to endure long stretches apart from their mothers or fathers, knowing all the while that their caretaker is in a dangerous place.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Melba L. Smith, an aviation operation chief and watch officer for Marine Wing Support Group 37 based in Al-Asad, Iraq, is in the middle of her second tour of duty. She has been away from her two sons, Nathan Worthen, 16, and Christopher Bass, 9, since January, and will return to the United States next January.

Smith's husband, Robert Smith, is also stationed in Al-Asad, so Nathan is living with his grandmother, Olivia Castillo, in Pharr, Texas, and Christopher with his maternal aunt, Marinela Calderon, in San Antonio. Melba Smith keeps in touch with her sons with a phone call each week.

Smith was able to speak to her sons, her mother and her sister via satellite on "Good Morning America." Tears began flowing after Christopher began to cry.

"How are you doing mom?" he said as he choked back tears.

"I'm doing OK," she said. "Don't cry baby. Dad's here, too. Don't cry sweetie. … He's proud of you, too. So you all keep on behaving and doing well until I get back."

Smith was also able to thank her mother for her support and wish her a Happy Mother's Day.

"She's the reason why I'm as strong as I am," Smith said. "I get a lot of my traits from her, and she has been instrumental in my career, to be able to do what I do. So, mom, I just want to thank you, momma, for everything you've done for me. And for taking care of my boys, I thank you."