Scoops For Troops

Two mothers forge a friendship after meeting at the sons' military graves:

The women are also organizing a March 30 fundraiser-- Scoops for Troops -- for Tribute to the Troops, a group that organizes an annual benefit concert and a motorcycle ride to visit the families of fallen soldiers each year on the weekend after Labor Day.

Both say their support of the troops is unwavering.

Daniel went to Iraq to help innocent people and fight oppression, Olsen said. "He died trying, and I am in awe of him," she said.

"I do not have the wisdom to take a position on the war. What I do is to pray for our president, unity within our government, our nation's patriotism, and our military leaders, and, above all, God's sovereign hand in our involvement."

Said Masterson: "No matter what we think about our current efforts in Afghanistan or Iraq, our soldiers are there representing all of us. They're protecting our freedom, and I support all of them."

Scoops for Troops will be at Ring Mountain Creamery Cafe, the ice-cream parlor in Eagan where Olsen works. There will be celebrity scoopers and red, white and blue ice cream.

"I called Gwen and said, 'Are you doing anything to mark these days, because I need to do something,' " Masterson said. "It's given us something really positive to focus on. If I weren't doing Scoops for Troops, I'd just be a complete wreck by now."

Friends and acquaintances sometimes tell Masterson that they can't imagine what she is going through.

Masterson's reply never varies: "I tell them 'You can't imagine, and I don't want you to.'

"I wouldn't wish this upon anyone. It's a journey that you can't completely understand unless you've been there yourself, and Gwen and I understand it."

Scoops for Troops, a fundraiser for Tribute to the Troops, will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 30 at Ring Mountain Creamery Cafe in Eagan. Call 651-454-7464 for information.