FORT RILEY, Kan. - Military spouses at Fort Riley were treated to something special when hosts Tara Crooks and Starlett Henderson of the radio show, Army Wife Network, sponsored the Spouse Field Exercise: Priceless Packages seminar May 20 and 21 at Riley's Conference Center.
The two-day event provided information, networking and fun for spouses. Crooks and Henderson greeted each guest with a goodie bag filled with items both for the spouses and their Soldier.
The seminar was geared toward spouses of deployed Soldiers. It focused on the need of "battle buddies" and how having a friend that understands the life of a military spouse is important to survival.
"We all need to make sure that we have a battle buddy because we want someone that has been through the same things," Henderson said. "That way, they can understand how we are feeling."
The duo kept the crowd entertained by sharing their own personal stories of success and failure. They also encouraged attendees to mingle and get to know those sitting next to them or across the room, because battle buddies, they said, can be found anywhere.
In addition to giving deployment survival tips to help keep marriages healthy, Crooks and Henderson talked about ways for spouses to keep themselves healthy, both physically and emotionally.
"Fort Riley seems to have a lot of spouses that are new to the Army and that makes for a different kind of audience," Henderson said. "We want to encourage them to use their resources, friends and neighbors and create their own support system."
Some relaxation tips given to spouses included taking a walk, laughing, watching a movie, having a girl's night, and getting a massage, manicure or pedicure.
Crooks and Henderson even talked about ways spouses could help their children deal with the stress of a deployment. Crooks suggested making daddy dolls or playing some of daddy's favorite games. Make sure to keep daddy in the loop, she said.
On top of getting great advice, an action plan and prizes, four spouses walked away with pre-made care packages. Each of the four packages had a different theme for different Soldiers - one for the Soldier who enjoys games, one for the movie buff, a 'comfort of home' package and a package that contained colognes and razors to prepare the Soldier to transition back to his Family life.
"Coming to this event has given me a lot of knowledge," said Chardrika Dersorneaux, military spouse. "I've learned some very useful things, and I would love to participate in this again."
Participants were given golden tickets at their tables with all the services that are offered here at Fort Riley, care package ideas, ways to keep children involved in the deployment as well as programs nationwide to help Soldiers, Families and spouses.
"We know that the way we deliver the information to the spouses is unique and it gets their attention," Crooks said. "If some official Army person was delivering the same message, it would be received differently. I'm glad we can come and reach these ladies and let them know that we understand what they are feeling and what they are going through."
For more information on the Army Wife Network, visit www.armywifenetwork.com.
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