Eds: APNewsNow; Will be led.

AP Photos VTAR101-105 By JOHN CURRAN Associated Press Writer TUNBRIDGE, Vt. (AP) A Vermont woman whose partner was killed in action in Afghanistan is eagerly awaiting President Obama's decision on whether to boost the number of troops there.

Rose Loving, of Tunbridge, is the former partner of Sgt. 1st Class John Thomas Stone, a Vermont National Guard medic who died in a friendly fire shooting in 2006.

She's not rooting for withdrawal, and she's not sure more troops is the answer. Her idea: Change the mission to include more humanitarian efforts such as building schools.

Loving has helped a Vermont nonprofit group called Direct Aid International raise $40,000 to build three schools in Stone's name in Afghanistan.

On a bigger scale, she says, such efforts could help the U.S.

mission.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-11-09 0206CST | save this article / add to your favorites list