Support group helps military familites

A new support group in the Birmingham area now caters specifically to families of military personnel.

Birmingham resident Penny Bailey had the idea for the group after her husband was deployed for Afghanistan. Bailey is a retired colonel herself.

While she has firsthand knowledge of the dangers troops face every day, she also understands the difficulties for those people left behind.

"Whenever the military member is there, life seems to be good, goes along smooth. As soon as they leave, a tree falls on the house, a car breaks down, kids get sick, and the dog runs away, and now you have to do it all on your very own. And that's what we're here to let people know that they don't have to do it on their own," said Bailey.

The group's first meeting was Sunday at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center. They hope to have several more in the near future.

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