Giving spouses a break

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Marasky
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  Spouses of servicemembers deployed down-range gathered for an evening of food, fellowship and fun at Chapel One here June 21. 

They were attending the Deployed Spouses Dinner, a monthly event sponsored by numerous base organizations and hosted by the 18th Wing Chaplain. Attendance at the event is initially coordinated through the 18th Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

"Normally we have from 15 to 20 percent of our current deployed spouses attend," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Wells, Family Readiness NCO. 

Preparation for each dinner is a team effort, with different base units and organizations contributing food and working to set-up the event. Food for Saturday's dinner was provided by the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and members of the Top 3 organization assisted with the set-up. 

Members of Airmen Committed to Excellence also 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. 

The program has benefited greatly from the involvement and support of 18th Wing leadership according to Chaplain (Capt.) Eric Whitmore. 

"It was about two years ago that we got real intentional about it and doing it a little bit differently, efficiently and more effectively," he said. "Wing leadership got engaged at that time and we had an amazing gain [in attendees]." 

Brig. Gen. Brett Williams, 18th Wing commander, and his wife Marianne showed their support for this event, as they do every month, by speaking to the spouses at the dinner. 

"The main reason that I come every month is to show my support and to tell you face-to-face that one of the primary responsibilities of senior leadership of the wing is to make sure that while your spouses are deployed, you have what you need," said the general. 

Afterwards, General Williams and other members of the wing leadership team answered questions from the spouses. Experts from Mental Health also spoke to the group about how to cope with sleep deprivation brought on by stress and changes in schedules as a result of a family member deploying. 

The evening of food and entertainment was a welcome time to speak to other deployed spouses, said Melanie Holguin, whose husband Tech. Sgt Richard Holquin, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, is currently deployed. 

"It's good to be able to come hang out with people in the same situation and chat," she said. "If you haven't come out before, you should come, it's a good opportunity and you can win lots of prizes and have lots of fun."