It is a thank-you to the Portage community in the form of cotton candy, balloon animals and snow cones. The 132nd Brigade Support Battalion Family Readiness Group will host a carnival for children on Saturday at the Portage Armory, where the brigade is based.

"A bunch of us came up with this as a way to give back to the community because they have done so much for us. Before the soldiers left, the Portage High School band participated in the send-off, and the mayor came out," said Janet McCamey, leader of the 132nd FRG.

Her husband, Sgt. 1st Class John McCamey, was deployed in mid-February as part of the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion. His unit is expected to return early next year.

The 132nd is part of the 32nd Brigade Combat Team, which is the largest unit in the Wisconsin National Guard. About 3,200 members of the Wisconsin National Guard in seven units are in Iraq in the force's largest deployment since World War II.

"I've been hanging in there. You learn to go with the flow, take it day by day. I try not to count the days till he's coming home and not look back at how long he's been gone," McCamey said. She lives in Rio.

Tickets cost 25 cents, and nothing at the carnival will cost more than three tickets. Events at the armory will include a cakewalk, karaoke, a bounce house and candy bar bingo. Also, items for the Portage Food Pantry will be collected, and people who donate will be rewarded with an extra bingo card.

Proceeds from the carnival will be donated to the Rusch Cares Fund and help pay for children's field trips and other extras throughout the year that some children might not be able to afford.

"It's close to my heart. I was probably one of those kids who needed those funds growing up," McCamey said.

A booth will be set up to help children make cards for soldiers.McCamey's youngest daughter, Jodelle, graduated from Rio High School in June. Through the use of Skype - a live video stream over computer - John McCamey witnessed the ceremony.

"It's been a learning experience, having to pick up on things he did around the house, and trying to get used to (only) having three people in the family (including older sister Jill)," Jodelle said. She will be a volunteer at the carnival.

Hope Robertson said the event will take her mind off the deployment. Her husband is Chaplain Jonathan Robertson, who is the regular pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Portage.

"One of the best ways I've found to keep my mind off being sad and lonely is to do something for someone else. When you think about what other people are going through, you're not focusing on it so much," Robertson said. She lives in the Portage area with five children younger than 6. The newest family member arrived two months ago.

"He did get leave, so he got home June 26 at 2:30 p.m., and the baby was born June 27 at 2:50 a.m. After about two days of travel he got four hours of sleep," Robertson said.

Robertson said support from the community, church and family has helped her, but she said there are times when she needs her husband.

"I usually have good dreams about us being together, and then you wake up and you're alone. I definitely have a much greater respect for single moms," Robertson said.

If You Go

What: Children's Carnival.

When: Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Portage Armory.

Why: To thank the community for support.

Cost: Carnival tickets are $.25 each.

jmccoy@capitalnewspapers.com

745-3519