FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Spouses of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Soldiers had the opportunity to gather information from Fort Wainwright key agencies at a "Spouse's Readiness Program" held Feb 16 at the Last Frontier Community Activity Center.
Although spouses of the Soldiers have had other chances to gather information at pre-deployment briefings, because of time constraints they often don't have time to ask questions, said Rebecca Taylor, the Family Readiness Support Assistant for 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1-25th SBCT and one of the organizers of the event.
In addition to information from agencies such as Army Community Service, Child, Youth and School Services, Legal Assistance, Tricare and Housing, there were "Daddy dolls", books for parents and children on deployment and Sesame Street videos for small children about deployment issues.
Felicity and Aurora, wife and daughter of Pfc Jerry Smoot, 73rd Engineer Company, 1-25th SBCT, arrived at Fort Wainwright just a few weeks ago. They came out to see what resources are available here and to meet people. Smoot said she found a lot of helpful information and planned to sign up for childcare while she was there.
Jennifer, wife of Staff Sgt. Shawn Snyder, and the Family Readiness Support Assistant for 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, came to the event as both a spouse and in her official capacity. She was gathering information to take back to her workplace to support the spouses of deployed Soldiers from that unit and as a spouse to get information for her husband's deployment.
While at the SRP, Snyder picked up "Daddy dolls" for her children, Daniel and Alyssa. "I think the hug dolls are useful" Snyder said "because they are comforting to my children. I think once I get a picture of Daddy in there, they will enjoy it, find comfort in it."
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