As America waits at the brink of war, more and more families are being separated as a loved one leaves for active duty overseas. The Southeast Ohio Critical Incident Stress Management Network is planning a support group for those families.

Shirley Mannon, Southeast Ohio CISM director/coordinator, said the support group is meant to provide emotional aid to the parents, spouses, children and siblings who are left behind. The support group will be open to families of people in all branches of the military including National Guard and Reserve units.

"This will give people a chance to get together and share their feeling with other people who know and understand where they're coming from," Mannon said.

Ideally, the support group will meet at night to accommodate people's work schedules.

"We will conduct a poll of what the families want and need, and then gear the meetings to that consensus," Mannon said.

Support group organizers will include an Ironton woman whose son is in the U.S. Army.

Those who want to take attend the support group may contact Mannon at 534-5803.