NATCHEZ &045;&045; For Bessie Allen of Natchez, the hardest thing about her husband, Montrell, on standby for active duty is knowing he might not be there for the little things that mean so much.

&uot;He won’t be there to see his 4-year-old graduate (from kindergarten), and he won’t be there when the 1-year-old learns to talk,&uot; Allen said.

&uot;I don’t like (him possibly going overseas). I’m not even sure where he’s going. I do know that with two young kids, it’s good to have a man around the house.&uot;

Although there are many unknowns and many mixed emotions for the families of the 155th Infantry National Guard, there are things they can do to be prepared for their loved ones’ departure.

In May, 52 members of the 155th

&045;&045; three-fourths of whom are based in Natchez &045;&045; were placed on alert for active duty.

The alert status does not necessarily mean the troops will be going overseas, although that is always a possibility.

&uot;They don’t have their orders yet,&uot; said Sharon Goodrich, the group’s family services coordinator.

And from the time they’re called to the time they leave, she said, &uot;could be anything from ‘Throw your bedroll in the truck, we’re leaving,’ to three weeks or so.’&uot;

But to make sure families are as prepared as possible for that day, Sgt. Maj. Charlie Forman of the Mississippi Army National Guard will host a briefing at 1 p.m. Sunday at the National Guard Armory on Liberty Road. At that meeting, 155th families, will be briefed on military identification cards and TriCare insurance, Goodrich said.

Lunch will be served.

There are also other things the families can do to make sure they’re prepared, Goodrich said.

&uot;Make sure your records are intact &045;&045; copies of your children’s birth certificates, your marriage certificate, a joint bank account,&uot; she said. When the unit is called up, assistance will be provided to help families draw up wills and power-of-attorney documents. &uot;But to get that prepared, you do need&uot; those other documents ready,&uot; she said.

Those wishing to help with lunch for Sunday’s briefing should call Goodrich at 446-6345 during business hours.