Mom takes pride for her son, coalition troops to the streets

Jen Lawson

Thursday, March 27, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

Cars passing through the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Windmill Lane were honking incessantly Wednesday, but it wasn't because of a traffic jam.

Drivers were showing support for Pamela Goodwill, the mother of a U.S. Army soldier who was standing on the corner holding a sign festooned with yellow ribbons reading: "I'm a proud Army mom. My soldier's got your back."

Goodwill's 20-year-son, Adam Powers, a 2000 Silverado High School graduate and a soldier in the 1st Infantry Division, is in Germany waiting to be sent to the Middle East.

She began standing on the corner holding her sign a few weeks ago, going out several times a week, to garner support for the troops and to ease her feeling of helplessness.

"I was going nuts watching the news," Goodwill said, squinting in the bright sun as drivers honked and waved. "When people drive by honking, I feel like I'm doing something."

On Wednesday, Goodwill was joined by her sister-in-law, Cheryl Goodwill, and friend Maribah Bushell.

"I came out to support our troops and support Pam," Bushell said, holding a sign that read: "Prayers to our troops -- Defending our freedom."

A downside of standing on the corner: Goodwill missed her son's phone calls twice. But she said she thinks he understands why she couldn't come to the phone.

Goodwill chose that particular corner because she lives nearby, and figured if she got a negative reaction, she could get home quickly.

"I didn't know what to expect, but I've been pleasantly surprised," she said. "People have been amazing."

Employees of Pizza Hut dropped off some pizza, people have brought them water and one woman, Teresa Petersen, gave them flowers on Wednesday.

Petersen, 32, who serves lunch at area schools, was driving home when she spotted the proud mom.

"To see her out there and the response she was getting from everybody was just so moving that I began crying," Petersen said. "I turned around and went and bought some flowers and gave them to her."

"I cried all the way home, and I cry every time I tell someone about it," she said. "It's one thing to see big rallies of support, but this was just one everyday mom. It really brought everything home for me."

An elderly man approached Goodwill one day with tears in his eyes and began telling her about his tour of duty in World War II, Goodwill said.

Another day, a woman jumped out of her car and told Goodwill, "I'm an Army mom too. I want to hug you."

Goodwill said there is so much anti-American sentiment in Germany that her son doesn't leave the base. At least he will know people at home support him, she said.

"I'd just like people to pray for our troops, and pray that they get home soon," she said.