McConnell celebrates military spouses

Team McConnnell military spouses gather during a military spouse appreciation conference held at the Robert J. Dole Community Center, June 12, 2010, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The event included entertainment, informational booths, lunch and door prizes. The conference, sponsored by the Airman Family and Readiness Center, was held for the spouses all of active-duty, Reserve, Guard and servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

McConnell celebrates military spouses

Members of Team McConnell’s military officer and enlisted spouses club perform a play called “The Black Dress,” June 12, 2010, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The performance featured typical life moments and milestones of military spouses throughout the years. The skit was part of a military spouse’s appreciation conference and designed to recognize spouses and educate them on available services. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

McConnell celebrates military spouses

U.S. Air Force Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and his wife Lisa, speak to Team McConnell military spouses June 12, 2010, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Colonel Crowhurst and his wife addressed the importance of having a strong and supportive spouse while also being in the military. In honor of military spouses, McConnell’s Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted an appreciation conference designed for the spouses of all active-duty, Reserve, Guard servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

McConnell celebrates military spouses

Published June 16, 2010
By Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- To show appreciation for the continuous support and efforts provided by military spouses, McConnell hosted a Military Spouses Appreciation Conference at the Robert J. Dole Community Center June 12.

Ninety-six spouses attended the conference, a Year of the Air Force Family initiative sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Integrated Delivery Service. The event included two keynote speakers who discussed issues military families face.

The conference was geared toward McConnell's military spouses, from all branches of service, and discussed numerous topics including deployments, work schedules and permanent change of stations.

"With the deployment rate the way it is today, a lot of spouses are isolated and have a tendency to stay home and not get out," said Jana Riggs, 22nd Force Support Squadron caring for people coordinator. "[The conference] provided spouses an opportunity to network with other spouses, become familiar with base facilities and relieve stress."

The setting also provided spouses the opportunity to learn in a fun environment while also celebrating the military spouse, said Ms. Riggs.

Entertainment included The "Not So" Newlywed Game with six questions to gauge partners' knowledge of each other and "The Basic Black Dress" skit, a reflection of the life of a typical military spouse.

Representatives from several community and base organizations including the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Legal office, the chapel, military spouses clubs, medical clinic, base exchange, commissary and the American Red Cross, showcased the assistance they could offer.

Conference representatives also provided information on saving money, stress reduction techniques, travels and car maintenance.

"The session I just attended on couponing and saving money was very helpful, and the presenter had a lot of great tips which were very simple, so I was really excited about it," said Madeleine Goodner, wife of Master Sgt. Mark Goodner, 22nd Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering NCOIC. "Some other ideas about the spouses sharing and networking ideas were 'wow' and presents the question why didn't we have something like this sooner?"

While the conference was one day, McConnell offers a variety of courses regularly throughout the year including parenting classes, government employment classes and deployment classes through the AFRC. For a full list of classes available, contact the AFRC at 759-6020.