By Neil Hopwood
editor

What gift is better for a mother than the arrival home of a child from overseas, who has been away in a war zone protecting the interests of their country? Quick answer: nothing.

So for the many mothers of soldiers of South Carolina Army National Guard's 218th Infantry Brigade, who endured the heartache of wondering every night whether their children were safe in Afghanistan or wherever they were stationed, this Mother's Day will always be special.

Wanda Buckner of Georgetown said her husband Arthur Buckner, 50, a medic, was shipped out for about seven months, during which time she took care of their two children, Celeste, 8 and Tyler, 10. It was the first time he had spent that much time away from the family.

She didn’t long for the return of a son or daughter, but she was forced to become a single mom for the time being.

“I miss him coming to my Cub Scout meetings,” said Tyler, who said the day he left was the hardest day of the separation.
Celeste missed going to church with her father.

For Wanda, it was the daily, little things that Arthur contributed that she missed most, such as helping the kids with their homework and simply being there to relieve her.

“Friends would come and help, but they don't replace him,” said Buckner, who stayed in regular contact with her husband. “It was harder on the kids than me, because I had to stay strong for them.”

Her husband told her heartbreaking stories, like the plight of an Afghan boy waiting for a heart transplant who died on Christmas Day. Many Afghan people lived in total squalor.

“I don't know how they do it,” Wanda said. “Because the houses are made of sand.”

Hours later, Arthur was reunited with his family.

“It feels really good,” Arthur said. “It's one of the best feelings I've had in a long time. It's time to get back to my kids and wife. I've learned a lot and seen the way other countries are. We've done a lot of good over there. We've improved life over there. I'm really thankful for what we do have here. There are a lot of little things you forget. Over there, those little things are a miracle.”

Ava of Georgetown said her brother, Anthony Atkinson of Conway, was gone about 15 months as a medic, leaving behind his wife Anita and their three-year-old daughter Sydnee.

She didn't talk to her brother much during his time away, partially to avoid having to tell him sad news from the home front.

“It's one day at a time,” Ava said. “What is to be will be. He's defending our freedom, and I'm very proud of him.”

Anita said her main duty was just keeping her emotions in check. His daughter has grown from a baby to a toddler during her husband's absence.

“You talk about Daddy every day, when he calls you have him talk to her,” Anita said. “You keep it going. I think it's made her grow up a lot. She told me the other night she was ready to have her little family back.”

Luckily for her, her dreams soon came true. And that’s a true Mother’s Day present.

Gov. Mark Sanford is getting into the Mother’s Day act as well.

During the special Mother’s Day-themed edition of ETV’s “The Big Picture” airing Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m., with two rebroadcasts on Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. and on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m., SC Gov. Mark Sanford offers a heartfelt Mother’s Day greeting to his mom, Margaret Peyton, and moms throughout the state.

The governor’s tribute follows one offered by comedian Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report” fame, to his mother Lorna. This edition of “The Big Picture” was taped, and also features Dorothy Davis, mother of Kristin Davis of “Sex and the City,” and Deborah Seymour, mother of NE Patriot Richard Seymour, talking about their famous SC offspring.

Says Sanford, “Hey mom, happy Mother’s Day. This recording puts me outside of my comfort zone in two different fronts. One is I’ve never had the playful humor of a Stephen Colbert, so I’m immediately out of my league in terms of trying to keep up on that front. And, I’ve never been particularly comfortable with the whole notion of public displays of affection. So, I’m out on both counts.

“So, let me instead just cut right to the chase, and say the obvious. Indeed, thanks for all the little things that you’ve done over a long number of years. You imprinted in my life, and each of Billy, John and Sarah’s lives and for that each one of us are grateful.”