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Spouses, Families Show Marines Love From Afar
(May 25, 2011) | 
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Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (5/17/2011) -- When a service member goes on a deployment, many things go through
his mind while he's support the grand mission: is my family thinking
about me and supporting me; does my newlywed wife still want to be with
me when I come home; will my children remember me after seven months?
For some deployed Fightertown Marines, those questions are able to be
answered by none other than their own family member or spouse.
Allison Davis utilizes video teleconference in
the Marine Aircraft Group 31 main conference room to speak to her
deployed Marine husband May 10, 2011. Davis and her Marine are going
through their first deployment together. |
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The Marines and sailors with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 held
video teleconferences with their spouses and family members at the
Marine Aircraft Group 31 main conference room Tuesday.
The
Thunderbolts have been deployed aboard USS Enterprise since January. The
only methods the service members have of communicating with their loved
ones is through e-mail, letters and the occasional social network. The
opportunity afforded them another means of consultation.
“These
conferences were set up by the chaplain on the (USS Enterprise) and
I for every Tuesday; families and spouses are allotted 20-minute
time slots with their Marine and sailor,” said Monica Greer,
VMFA-251 family readiness officer. “During lots of deployments,
service members don't |
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have the capabilities to view their loved ones. This opportunity is
extremely beneficial for the spouses who participate with the
program.” |
For some of the families, this is the first time they have seen
their warrior since they left Fightertown in January.
“I was very
nervous yet anxious to see him because I didn't know what to expect, but
when I did, my daughter, Katelyn, and I were overwhelmed,” said Rhonda
Butler, wife of a Thunderbolt Marine. “To see him and talk to him again
was exciting. I felt very privileged to have had that chance. I am so
glad these VTCs are put together.”
Some of the Marines and
sailors have families waiting on them back in the rear. However, not all
service members are quite established. Some of them are in new
relationships going through their first deployment together and trusting
their love will be what it takes to get them through the first of many
tests the military will offer.
“I had no idea something like
these VTCs were even available for us. This was my first time utilizing
them, and I was pretty excited about it before I even walked into the
room,” said Allison Davis, wife of VMFA-251 Marine. “We e-mail everyday
to each other, but because of his location and complications (onboard an
aircraft carrier), we don't get to speak as often as we'd like to. These
conferences are great morale boosters for both the service member and
the family. I was sad when I walked from the screen because it was over,
but I am so glad I did it.”
According to Greer, families can
expect to participate in a Return and Reunion Workshop June 11. There
will also be a workshop for children and a banner-making for the
families.
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Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Kelvin Clark
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
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