It's been nearly four years since troops landed in Iraq and marched into Baghdad.

The memories may be distant for some. But for the approximately 100 families in Utah County who have a family member deployed with the National Guard, the impact of the war is present in all aspects of life.

The daily reminder for many families is the change in income. Maj. Hank McIntire, National Guard spokesman, said that some families hurt financially when they switch from their civilian income to the military one.

One way many cities have helped ease the financial burden on these families is to offer utility abatements.

Chief Warrant Officer Annette Barnes, National Guard state family programs director, said the abatements become a way for the cities to offer a financial break and show their support for the troops.

"Every month those families get a little reminder that they aren't alone," she said.

Barnes said she first noticed in April 2003 that Lindon had passed a resolution paying 100 percent of the city utilities for families who's provider was deployed.

At the time, she was a coordinator for Utah County's family support programs and the 1457th battalion was deployed from American Fork. She knew of the struggling families and prepared a letter explaining what Lindon had done.

"I sent it to every Utah County city and one by one they just started calling me," she said. "The thing is we're not taking anything away from them. It's not required at all, it's been completely volunteer. "

As the fighting in Iraq continues, the cities continue to give their support. American Fork renewed its resolution in December. Traditionally, Spanish Fork, American Fork and Lindon renew their resolutions every April; city representatives said the cities should renew the resolutions again this spring.

Once Barnes had almost every Utah County city on board, she started focusing on the rest of the state. She's worked with 40 cities to get utility abatements of some sort set up for families.

The city chooses the amount, or what percentage they will cover. For those cities that provide electric, that often means the city's covering a much larger bill than cities that only offer basics, such as sewer, garbage and water. Mapleton is one of the cities that provides utilities beyond the basics.

"They get full relief from all the utility payments that are paid into the city," Mapleton city administrator Bob Bradshaw said. "It's probably worth over a $1,000."

Bradshaw said the city sees it as a way to support the troops.

"It's a patriotic commitment from Mapleton city; it's to demonstrate the City Council's full support to those residents who make such a worthwhile sacrifice," he said.

McIntire said that it helps the servicemen and women to know that their communities are supporting them. He said he used the service when he was deployed for a year.

"It's one less thing that you have to worry about," he said. "You want to be focused on your mission, and money is a concern. When the city steps up to lighten the load, it just makes you feel that much better about serving because people in the community are stepping up to help."

Natalie Andrews is available at 344-2548 or nandrews@heraldextra.com.

Cities that offer utility abatements:

Alpine 100% city utilities

American Fork 100% city utilities

Highland 100% city utilities

Lehi $100/month, including electric

Lindon 100% city utilities

Mapleton 100% city utilities

Nephi 100% city utilities

Orem 100% city utilities

Payson $100/month, including electric

Pleasant Grove 100% city utilities

Provo 50% of the electric bill only

Salem 50% of the city bill

Santaquin $100/month, including electric

Saratoga Springs 100% city utilities

Spanish Fork $100/month, including electric

Springville $100/month, including electric

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.