BLOOMINGTON - Soldier Cindy Singley soon will put her life on the line in Iraq. Despite her apprehension, Singley's glad others will keep an eye on her loved ones back home.

"I appreciate it," said Singley.

Singley was among those Monday at the Bloomington Armory learning about "Operation Porchlight," a cooperative effort of several agencies to assist families of soldiers deployed to Iraq. All military personnel deployed from or living in McLean County are eligible.

"It's kind of like ‘Leave the porch light on because you know I'm coming home,'" said Singley, 48, who will leave a husband and son in Towanda.

She's among 73 Illinois National Guard members from the Headquarters 33rd Military Police Battalion in Bloomington who leave Monday for Fort Dix, N.J., and then to Iraq for up to 18 months. It's the first military unit from McLean County sent to Iraq.

About 30 of the unit's 73 members are from McLean County.

As the soldiers roll out of town - organizers hope for a grassroots movement to line the streets for a farewell salute —"Operation Porchlight" will kick in, offering emotional, household and financial assistance through United Way of McLean County, the American Red Cross of the Heartland, PATH (Providing Access to Help) and the Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly (AFL-CIO).

Red Cross spokesman Scott Vogel said Families on the Home Front, a group the Red Cross formed more than three years ago to support those with loved ones deployed, is supportive of the "Operation Porchlight" efforts.

"These are our friends, neighbors and families and we want them to know that the support will be there," said labor leader Mike Matejka of Bloomington.

A deployment ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Kingsley Junior High School in Normal and Porchlight organizers hope residents may line the streets for a farewell salute as the unit departs the Bloomington armory at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Vogel hopes thousands give the unit a warm send-off. The route takes the soldiers past State Farm Insurance Cos. headquarters and two shopping malls.

‘We've developed a network'

The organizing groups offer a variety of assistance. For instance, Matejka said, union members could help a soldier's spouse if the plumbing is clogged or a lawnmower won't start.

PATH and Red Cross volunteers will work with military Family Readiness Groups to help families cope with the emotional strain of separation.

The public also can help by providing monetary gifts to the United Way of McLean County, which has set up a special fund for financial relief for families and pay for morale-building group activities.

If any additional help is needed, Vogel said, the groups will make a public appeal.

"It (Operation Porchlight) is a formal support base and it makes me more comfortable leaving," said Staff Sgt. Sean Harris of Bloomington, whose family is deeply involved with a family readiness group.

"We've developed a network and are getting to know each other," said his wife, LaTonya Harris.

Both Sean Harris and Singley have been to Iraq before, although with different units.

33rd MP Battalion, Bloomington

Seventy-three Illinois National Guard members leave Monday for Fort Dix, N.J., and then to Iraq for up to 18 months of active duty. About 30 members are from McLean County.

Deployment ceremony: 2 p.m. Sunday, Kingsley Junior High School, Normal.

Informal street gatherings: 7:30 a.m. Monday, unit leaves the Bloomington Armory, travels south on Main Street, then east on Veterans Parkway to Interstate 55 on its way to Chicago.

How to help

Write checks to "Operation Porchlight" and send to United Way of McLean County, 201 E. Grove St., Bloomington, IL 61701.