For Families, Surge Means More Sacrifice

Today, a group of women actually felt what most Americans only heard - a general's call for more sacrifice when they believe most people are not paying attention.

"America's really not at war. We're at the mall or Starbucks ordering lattes," says Maryann Marshall, an Army wife at Fort Stewart, Ga.

The wives of deployed soldiers know about sacrifice. CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann gathered them to watch Gen. David Petraeus' report to Congress on the state of the troop surge in Iraq.

Petraeus wants to stay the surge and keep 168,000 U.S. troops in Iraq - 33,000 more than were there in February.

Capt. Jack Mooney's on his second tour of Iraq. Next month, his wife, Robin, is expecting their first child.

"Obviously, we would love to hear somebody stand up and say, 'Hey, they're all coming home next week,'" she says. "Selfishly, that would be great news. But it's not realistic, and it wouldn't be the right decision."

Tara Crooks has her husband back and daughters Wrena and Chloe have their dad - for now.

"Wow, it is so nice to have two parents. You are like 'Wow, this family works so much better,'" Tara Crooks said.

Captain Kevin Crooks is only home on leave from his third tour in 5 years.

"I tell you what. I am ready for a break. We are ready for a break. And that is no lie. It has been hard," Tara Crooks said.

With the Petraeus report, these families also now have their marching orders. More deployments, which, to many of them, means tempting fate.

Three months ago, an IED killed Maj. Sid Brookshire. Born to serve, Brookshire's birthday was Sept. 11.

"My husband was an amazing man," says his widow, Karin. She winced as Petraeus said winning Iraq will take time.

"But I don't want my friends and my fellow Army wives to have to suffer what I've had to suffer and other families have had to suffer. I want them to get in there and get it done and get it done quickly."

They all do. But next weekend, Capt. Crooks heads back to Baghdad.