Two days after learning their loved ones would not be leaving the Middle East as expected Sunday, the families said they’re ready to launch a political fight.

“God forbid, if one soldier dies, there will be no end to anything any one of our members can do,” said Gerri Whittredge, who lent the group her Hollis home for the meeting. “I will be in Washington, D.C., at Mr. Bush’s door, shoving his words down his throat.”

Others said she would not be alone.

“We want the whole country to hear our story,” said Franklin resident Richard MacDonald, whose son, Adam MacDonald, 23, is a specialist in the company.

Family members said their frustration soared to new heights this weekend, when many received phone calls or e-mails from the soldiers, who have spent 17 months on active duty.

The unit was deployed last Easter, serving in various parts of Iraq and sometimes Kuwait. Members were originally slated to come home last fall, but their stay was extended six months.

On Saturday, relatives said, the reservists had their bags packed and were waiting in Kuwait for buses to take them to the airport when they learned the trip was not to be, at least for now.

Gathered around Whittredge’s dining room table last night, the group of about a dozen Reserve family members said they did not know how much longer the wait might be, or even when they’d find out.

“What they’re doing to the families of our soldiers is unconscionable,” said Whittredge, whose son, Sgt. Steven R. Whittredge, 35, has been a reservist since May 2002. “It’s terrorism.”

Jennifer Lee, a former member of the 94th company herself, said she speaks to her husband every day via cell phone. Michael Lee, 34, is a sergeant first class in the unit.

“I ask him daily what’s the word,” said Lee, who acts as the group’s main liaison with the unit. “They don’t know. Right now, they’re just going day by day.”

Lee cradled her 14-month-old daughter, Charlotte, while telling the group about a conference call she had yesterday with a Massachusetts-based Army general. The call offered little new information, she said.

Meanwhile, she’s taking care of Charlotte alone. Lee said her husband has seen their daughter three times since she was born, for a total of 2½ weeks.

“He really doesn’t even know what he’s missing as a dad,” Lee said.

Not surprisingly, relatives said it’s hardest of all on the troops.

Karen Locker, of Chelmsford, Mass., said she spoke to her son, 21-year-old specialist Jason Zavasky, by phone Saturday after the announcement.

“He said, ‘You could see it on some of the soldiers’ faces. They’re just done,’ ” she said. “They’re war-weary. They’re tired. It makes it hard on all of them.”

Trudy Siraco, of Tewksbury, Mass., said she asked her son, 21-year-old specialist Sean Mabry, if he has been sleeping well.

“He said, ‘It’s real easy to sleep when you’re depressed,’ ” she said. “My son has never been depressed.”

More than 150 soldiers belong to the unit. In more than a year of combat, Lee said five have been injured, but none have been killed. Whittredge said she feared the reservists’ exhaustion, coupled with their disappointment, could reduce their effectiveness as soldiers.

“They are a hindrance to others and a hindrance to themselves,” Whittredge said.

Already, the group said it has written e-mails to President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as well as to Cabinet members and various New Hampshire and Massachusetts congressmen.

In a news conference yesterday, Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, said there hasn’t been a complete freeze on rotating units home. Abizaid said: “There are still units that are departing.”

But because some Iraqi civil defense members have failed to carry out their duties, or deserted, Abizaid and Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of American ground forces, said there needs to be a reassessment of the training strategies that have been employed.

As a result, Abizaid cautioned that certain U.S. military specialties may need to be retained in Iraq.

Marine Capt. Bruce Frame, at Central Command in Florida, yesterday said: “As far as any extended stay (for the 94th Military Police) . . . a decision hasn’t been made.”

New Hampshire U.S. Sens. John Sununu and Judd Gregg yesterday sought information about the status of the unit.

In a statement, Gregg said the U.S. Army responded that no decision has been made, “but there is a review being undertaken as to what additional troops are needed and a final decision is expected within the next few days.”

When defense officials last September announced that National Guard and reservists already in Iraq were having their tours of duty extended to 12 months, it was noted that reservists and National Guard personnel could serve up to two years, if needed.

The 32nd Military Police Company, a Wisconsin National Guard unit which was expected to leave Iraq shortly, has just had its duty extended 120 days.

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