FORT RUCKER, Ala. (November 3, 2011) -- Families of deployed Soldiers were able to enjoy a meal and company at 1-58th Airfield Operations Battalion's monthly dinner at the Fort Rucker dining facility.
According to 1-58th AOB representatives, the monthly event is hosted by the unit and funded by the Fort Rucker Thrift Shop in order to provide spouses and their children with a night of enjoyment during the difficult months of deployment. Along with the meal, Military Family Life Consultants attend the dinner to provide childcare, counseling and company to the Families of deployed Soldiers.
Jennifer Brumfield, whose husband, Staff Sgt. Jason Brumfield is deployed with the Office of Military Cooperation in Kuwait, said the dinners are a great way to get her and her two children through the remaining months of his deployment.
"The [MFLCs] have some really great ideas about how the kids can deal with their daddy being gone. I really like [the dinner]. It's a place for me to relax, because they take care of the kids. It's also nice to not have to cook or clean," she said.
Brumfield explained that Survivor Outreach Support and the unit Family Readiness Group send out reminder emails for the dinner, which gives her something to look forward to as she reaches the halfway point in the deployment.
Lakeesha Williams, whose husband, Sgt. Jerome Williams, is also in Kuwait with the 1-58th AOB, said that she enjoys the company and her son getting a night to play with other children.
"I think it's pretty great. It's something to get us out of the house and something different to do. That's the biggest reason why I do it, because he wants to get out. I look forward to it,"
Williams added that the dinners allow her to form a connection with other spouses, the MFLCs and dining hall staff. Both Williams and Brumfield agreed that the night off from cooking allows the spouses to recharge.
"It's nice that they do this for the Families. They know we're spouses of deployed Soldiers, so they treat us really good," Williams said.
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