FORT RILEY, Kan. - Families of deployed Soldiers were treated to a picnic and were given tickets to a Junction City Generals baseball game June 26.
For some, it was the first baseball game they've ever been to.
"My kids have never been to a baseball game because we were in Europe for 11 years, so this is their first time experiencing something American like this," said Carla Kimsey, who attended the event with her three children. "We just wish dad was here to see it with us."
Her husband, Sgt. Eugene Kimsey, is deployed in Iraq with 1st Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.
About 100 people attended the second annual Hearts Apart Take You Out to the Ballgame event, which brought together Families dealing with deployments.
"It makes it easier," Kimsey said. "They understand. Your Family doesn't always understand. I feel a lot closer to a lot of my friends sometimes than my Family, because they know what you're going through. My sister doesn't understand how I can do it because she's never been away from her husband for one day."
Kimsey said events like this help spouses meeting other Families in the same situation, which can make the deployment a little easier.
"A lot of spouses are afraid because they think they can't do go to events like this because it's just them and their kids," she said "I tell them not to do that, because other spouses will help them with their kids, and then they open up. I've been through it many times - this is my fifth deployment - so I'm used to it."
Kimsey said events like the ball game are great for her children, who are have special needs.
"My oldest boy - he's autistic and doesn't have a lot of social friends because of his disability - so it's fun for him to do this kind of stuff because he feels safe with me. When they have stuff like this, he gets to see other kids that are just normal, and he gets to say, 'Hey, I'm not so bad,' so it helps him a lot."
Before the game, Families met outside of the stadium where they were given a meal provided by the Junction City-Geary County Military Affairs Council. Spouses were able to talk with each other as their children played and were given four-wheeler rides by the Generals' mascot, General Longball.
"It was a good time to just all get together to get with friends, make new friends and network and have a good time," said Theresa Gale, Hearts Apart program coordinator.
Jason Lucas, Junction City Generals director of operations, helped coordinate the event.
"Families of deployed Soldiers have certainly sacrificed enough, so anything we can do for them is just a small token trying to repay some of the things that they've given to all of us," he said. "We're always happy to donate to get people out and give them something to do. For us, we like to expose them to our program and maybe they'll start coming back afterwards, but I know, if nothing else, it's a great night out for them that gets people together having a good time."
During the game, Hearts Apart children were chosen to participate in mid-inning promotions like a race around the bases against the mascot, a water balloon toss and an eating contest.
"This is one of the biggest events we've had," Gale said. "Hopefully we're going to continue to do this for many years to come."
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