Moody Spouse Day

By Kari L. Sands

May 09, 2008 11:35 pm

— VALDOSTA — National Military Spouse Day is celebrated on May 9 across the Department of Defense. Moody personnel participated in a special way to thank their spouses during a special recognition event held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Freedom I Fitness Center.
The free event kicked off at 8:30 a.m. with opening remarks by senior leadership, followed by a day full of activities and information. More than 25 agencies and 80 to 100 individuals participated to make the event possible after planning for the past couple of months. Free lunch and free childcare were also provided for participants.
“This is the first year to get all agencies involved and move up a notch,” said Sharon Thompson, community readiness consultant. “The spouses were very much a part of the process to find out what events they would like to see. We are offering a full day of activities that can be adjusted to their schedules.”
Patricia Porter, a military spouse and member of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), was present during Spouse Day to introduce the military community to the faith-based pre-school program for children ages birth to 5.
“It’s an international organization founded to assist and support young moms,” said Porter.
“It’s a great way to support and connect, listening to speakers who address parenthood and marriage and deployed spouses. This is a great way for the base to really show appreciation to spouses because I don’t think the average person realizes how deployed spouses handle multiple deployments, dealing with emergency room visits with children, illness, and birth alone. This lets them know that they matter and they are important through Spouse Day.”
Static displays were set up at the Fuels Barn and featured an HH-60G, HC-130, humvee and pararescue equipment. On site, attendees were able to try on different equipment Moody airmen wear; some even received free aqua massages at the fitness center.
The special event also featured information booths to educate and inform spouses of the services and opportunities Moody has to offer.
“We have static displays to allow the spouses to participate and do hands on things, and they really appreciate it. It has been really positive, and a good sign for next year in the plans, we have already been told what spouses would like to see next year,” said Thompson.
Staff Sgt. Westley Loignon, father of Westley II, 5 and Isabella, 2, said, “It’s great to see the spouses recognized and honored this way because they have to put up with a lot and take care of families while we are out. This is also a good way for them to see exactly what we do.”
Nina Loignon, who is six months pregnant with the third addition to the Loignon family, said, “I’m glad they got a chance to do this, and I’ll be ready to fully participate next year. It’s a rare opportunity that we get to see what he does. This helps to know exactly what he does while he is protecting our family and our country. He’s out attending training a lot and it can get stressful, but this helps to ease the stress witnessing what he does. But I don’t even want to think about deployment.”
“I have found there are many spouses that are not aware of all the opportunities and assistance programs the base offers,” said Lt. Col. Jim Buchman, 23rd Wing director of staff. “Our objective is to educate and provide information to the spouses in a fun and exciting atmosphere.”
Dog demonstrations were performed using the K-9 units of the 23rd Security Forces Squadron to demonstrate various tactics used for security purposes. Events were also available off-site to include an A-10 simulator and hanging harness tour from the 23rd Fighter Group and tours of the 820th Security Forces Group firearm training simulator and humvee rollover trainer. Spouses also had the opportunity to tour the Air Traffic Control tower and Radar Approach Control facilities and to register to vote.
“It really takes leadership and organization to make this type of event happen,” Thompson said. “We had terrific support from the base community.”

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