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Deployed families connect at Hearts Apart
Posted 6/25/2012 Updated 6/25/2012
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by 1st Lt. Mark Graff
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
6/25/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Sometimes, as the saying goes, "a deployment is more difficult on the family than the Airman." But for three families, thanks to some down-home cooking and Lajes Field's Hearts Apart program, managing family life with a deployed Airman just got a little easier.
At this month's Hearts Apart program, sponsored by the Lajes Field Key Spouses, spouses of deployed Airmen were invited to prepare homemade casseroles at the Lajes Field fire department kitchen. The casserole-themed event was borne out of a desire to give spouses a break, said Adrienne Schmedthorst, 65th Air Base Wing staff key spouse.
"We wanted to do something to really help the spouses - not just today, but throughout the month," said Schmedthorst. "In the states there are businesses where they have foods chopped and prepped and ready to build your own casseroles, so we had the idea that we would bring that to Lajes."
Four casserole creating stations were setup with ingredients and supplies at the ready. Creating four casseroles at once allows the families to freeze some and cook the dishes at their leisure, said Schmedthorst.
For Angela Williams whose husband, Master Sgt. Wes Williams, is deployed to Landstuhl, Germany, building casseroles was a new experience.
"This is really cool. I've never done casseroles before, so I'm enjoying it," said Williams, as she mixed eggs, sausage and cheese for a breakfast casserole.
Williams is a mother of four. After 17 years as an Air Force family, deployments are no longer unique, she said. But the support and hospitality demonstrated by the Lajes community are appreciated.
"Everyone here has been very helpful. (People are) always making sure we're okay and saying 'hey do you want to go to the movies,'" said Williams.
Lajes' close-knit community has helped Alaina Purdon's family get through her husband's deployment as well. Purdon, wife of Staff Sgt. James Purdon, of the 729th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who is currently deployed to Southwest Asia, appreciates the close-knit feel.
"I know everyone in his shop because it's so small, so I can get ahold of anybody if I need to," said Purdon, in the midst of combining ingredients for a chicken and rice dish.
Though the main cooking ingredients at this event were casserole staples such as cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese, the interpersonal connection remains the most important element when dealing with a deployment, said Aimee Lanham, wife of Airman 1st Class Spencer Lanham, of the 65th Communications Squadron, who is currently deployed.
"The squadron has been a great help," she said. "With the people (at Lajes), it's great."
While the spouses prepared different take-home casseroles, their children toured the fire department. The tour culminated with a chance to dress up in firefighting gear and ride in a fire truck.
For more information on the Hearts Apart program, contact the Lajes Field Airman and Family Readiness Center at (314) 535-4138.
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