Message to Sergeant Matthew Schmidt, Army Reservist, 411 Civil Affairs Battalion: Your family and friends love you, miss you very much and want you to come home soon.

The Schmidt family has experienced a rainbow of emotions ever since their son and brother Matthew left for Iraq in March. The most prominent of those emotions has undoubtedly been a longing for his glorious return.

But while the family waits for his calls, which only amount to about two minutes in length and can come at any time, a feeling of pride has pervaded their homes for while they miss Matthew, they realize the gift of sacrifice he has given to his country.

Outside of the home of Matthew's brother Erick and sister-in-law Jenn Schmidt in Franklin Square, yellow ribbons are tied to the trees down the entire Propp Avenue in Franklin Square. On the door is a star signifying a family member serving overseas in war. Inside, on a late Friday afternoon, Erick, Jenn and Matthew's mother Christine talk about Matthew and how much they miss him.

A significant part of their lives is overseas, miles away from home. What keeps them going is longing for the day when they can welcome him home with a big party.

On the Fourth of July, Matthew's family and friends held a party, during which they held up signs saying that they missed him. They took pictures and sent them to Iraq. But, such a party will be nothing compared to the one that will be thrown for Matthew when he returns home. "I'm going to rent a place and throw a party and the neighbors on the block want to throw a block party," said Christine Schmidt.

It will indeed be a time to celebrate for Matthew is not coming home from summer camp, but from the rigors of war in a far away land where temperatures reach in excess of 100 degrees.

But while Matthew's family and friends miss him, they are not surprised by his presence in Iraq. Matthew was always focused on service whether it is service to his community as a member, along with Erick and sister Theresa, of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department, and as a public safety officer for the Town of Hempstead, where he received an award for helping a handicapped man who was being robbed.

"He loves serving people," said Christine Schmidt. "He's just that type of kid."

"He was involved in a lot. He had to do everything. That's how he is," said Erick, four years Matthew's senior.

But service to one's country is a whole other experience. For the 23-year-old Army Reservist, it means putting your life on hold during the best years of your life, being put in situations of possible danger while living uncomfortably for months all because duty called. The pride the Schmidt family feels for Matthew is well earned.

"We're extremely proud," said Christine Schmidt.

For not only has her son gone off in service to his country, he has done so nobly, earning an in-field promotion from specialist to sergeant.

As an Army Reservist for four years, Matthew Schmidt was activated and left for Fort Bragg on February 19 and was sent to Iraq on March 30. Since then, Christine Schmidt has been walking around with a phone in her hand, waiting for his calls. "You don't realize how much they do for you until they're gone," she said.

On a recent Friday morning at 7:20 a.m., Christine received a call from her son, who is stationed with a light cavalry division at Al Thawi, formerly Saddam City, with a population equivalent to about a third of Baghdad. She estimates that she has received less than 10 calls from her son in the three and a half months he has been overseas and never knows when he will call or how long he will stay on the phone.

She knows where her son is and what he has been doing - assisting with care for the schools and hospitals, soccer fields for the children and a garbage program. She says the troops in her son's division have been well received, but she knows that can change any day. "You still watch your back constantly," she said.

She knows what life has been like for her without her son. "Each day seems like a month," she said. Although the Schmidt family is able to experience some relief on the occasions when Matthew is able to call.

It is from those calls that the Schmidt family gains an understanding of what it has been like living in 134-degree weather with full armor on, with electricity for a few hours a day and no running water, with showers consisting of a bucket of water over the head, and, perhaps most of all, missing home.

It is a long way from the John Street School, where Matthew went to elementary school, and H. Frank Carey High School, where he graduated in 1998.

Iraq is a journey that began when Matthew Schmidt was called. It was an order the Schmidts knew was always a possibility. But, in spite of the fear of what could happen in a military conflict, there was a sense of pride. "We knew that he would have to go. We knew we were going to miss him. We knew there was going to be a lot of worry," Christine Schmidt. "He's a very bright boy. We knew he would be careful and take care of himself as best he could."

Matthew arrived in Iraq from Kuwait when fighting had slowed, although there were still occasional skirmishes. Since then, the Schmidt family has been constantly worried about him.

But it's pride they feel most as they take comfort in the knowledge that Matthew is helping people like a little girl who was badly burned by a grenade. Matthew helped find a doctor for her that keeps the Schmidt's spirits up during these months when there is an obvious void in their lives.

Also, Christine Schmidt has found solace in a support group comprised of other mothers with sons in Iraq who communicate news to each other via email.

In addition to the support from mothers of fellow troops, there has been an overwhelming show of support from friends, including members of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department, Phil and Paul Molloy, who sent a care package, people in the Town of Hempstead and even by the children at the John Street School.

The support is much appreciated by Matthew, who conveys through his mother, how much he misses everyone. Until Matthew is reunited with his family, girlfriend Stephanie and friends, he has been writing home. He even sent back Iraqi money while his family sends him care packages with drink mixes, bug spray and anything else to help him be reminded of home.

While his family and friends miss Matthew, the feeling is mutual. Although the troops Matthew is serving with have become a family in their own right, he misses everyone at home, including his dog. But, as Christine Schmidt says of her son, "He knew he had to do it."

The Schmidt family members speak about Matthew with smiles on their faces. They exude an air of pride and, although worried for his safety, a certain kind of joyful anticipation thinking about the day he will return to them. "They're hoping by the end of the year, but they have no word at all," Christine said.

Until then, the service stars hang on the doors of Erick's and Jenn's home as well as Christine's home as symbols of not only Matthew being in military service away from hope, but the home that he will be back soon.

"When we see all the soldiers coming home now, we're jealous. Why does he have to stay?" said Jenn Schmidt.

Although he is missed, the Schmidt family has acknowledged that Matthew is now a part of history. A collection of memorabilia is being put together for him when he arrives home and he undoubtedly will have stories to share with his family and friends. "He is definitely a part of history," said Christine.

The Schmidt family, particularly mother Christine, sister Theresa, father John, brother Erick and sister-in-law Jenn as well as girlfriend Stephanie, wait for Matthew's return.

Although they may miss him and he may miss them, Matthew Schmidt gave up some of the best days of his prime so that others like his family and friends can live in a world free of tyranny. On the day they are reunited, there will be a hero's welcome, one well deserved. The void both the Schmidt family and Matthew now feel will one day, perhaps soon, dissolve, but the pride will last forever.