Spouses make friends, get a break

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Spouses of deployed servicemembers gathered for an evening of food, fellowship and fun at Kadena's Schilling Community Center July 18.

More than 30 spouses attended the Deployed Spouses Dinner, a monthly event sponsored by numerous base organizations and hosted this month by the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Members of the Top 3 organization assisted with set-up. The dinner theme was Italian, though a rogue box of Popeye's chicken was spotted at the end of the buffet table.

"It's an honor to welcome you here and to serve you dinner," said Col. Kenneth Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander. "I want to pass along an extra special thanks to you for the sacrifices you make while your spouses are deployed."

Members of Airmen Committed to Excellence provided child care for the evening, allowing parents a few hours to relax, talk, and win prizes donated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

"We try to get the spouses to come out and enjoy themselves with other spouses that are in the same situation," said Tech. Sgt. Ray Brooks from the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the organization that coordinates spouses' attendance at these monthly dinners.

"I really like attending because it's a good opportunity to network with other spouses," said Mrs. Claire Alexander, whose husband is currently deployed.

During the dinner, two Army spouses started a new friendship and told "war stories" - tales of things gone awry in their spouses' absence. Mrs. Candace Ramroth, whose husband belongs to the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, said everything usually goes wrong when her husband is deployed.

"You call for back up and it's always a friend you met somewhere," she said.

"Your husband is not here to help so you're going through a daily battle on your own, especially when you have kids," Mrs. Ramroth said.

Mrs. Lisa Irish, another Army spouse, said she is glad to have this little break and have others do the babysitting while she relaxes and talks to other spouses.

Spouses who attended this dinner found common ground; they gave each other comfort and shared a few sustaining words of wisdom. Contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center if you are interested in attending next month's dinner.