Airman and Family Readiness Center says thank you

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In the season for giving thanks, the Airman and Family Readiness Center is thanking the military families on base. November is designated Military Family Appreciation Month and to celebrate there have been three book readings for military children and a party with cake and punch.

The first reading was held Nov. 14 at the Base Library. After the story, AFRC staff and volunteers helped the children with a fall craft and served them a mini-Thanksgiving meal. Book readings were also held at the School Age Annex that day and at the Child Development Center the following week.

Last Thursday, military members and their families were invited to the AFRC for a red, white and blue themed cake and punch social hour.

"It's a time to just enjoy, relax and tell them that we appreciate them for what they do and what they provide to the country," said Maricel Rusit, AFRC life consultant. To Rusit, the spouses and dependents make big sacrifices for the country too.

Military spouses Jessica Aldridge and Tar Singer were in attendance at the event.

"Not to take away from the military member, but sometimes people forget what the family sacrifices," said Aldridge. "I love my country, and if I can't serve in the military myself, I'll stand by my husband and do whatever I need to do on the home front."

Singer has been a military spouse for over 16 years. It's given her the opportunity to travel, meet new people and try all kinds of new foods. She remembers the struggles of being a new military spouse, learning the military lifestyle, finding the resources available and learning to meet new people.

"Not that we always need a thank you, but it's nice sometimes, even though we're not in the military ourselves, for the sacrifices spouses make," said Singer.

"I think you definitely need to have a strong woman or man to be a spouse of a military person. We're holding the fort down whether they are at work, working late, deployed or go on TDYs, I think it's very important for us to keep the stress levels low at home and do whatever we can to make sure they come home to a comfort zone."

But more than anything, she loves the family appreciation events because of the fellowship.

"It's a morale booster. We feel like we're all a team because all of our husbands, wives are doing the same mission," said Singer.

"The active duty deploys, but the family members are the ones they're leaving behind. They have to continue even though the active duty member is doing their mission. The spouse also has a mission here at home," said Rusit. "So we want to make sure we say thanks [to the active duty and their families]. Not just once a year, but every day, every time we see them."