Chapel shows support, connects the spouses of deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
The 28th Bomb Wing Chapel held an event for spouses of deployed and remote Airmen at a pottery painting shop in Rapid City, June 26.

This activity gave spouses the chance to socialize and network with one another while creating art.

“We wanted to help the spouses of deployed and remote Airmen know that we are here for them,” said Maj. Ronald Feeser Jr., a 28th Bomb Wing chaplain. “We know it can be tough when loved ones are away and, with events like this we hope to build a support group between one another to let them know the base has got their back.”

The 28th BW Chapel’s goal is to provide opportunities for friendships to grow, and for spouses to realize they have a strong support network readily available.

Over 10 spouses went out to have a night out with individuals who share the hardship of having a deployed spouse. They received the chance to pick out a piece of pottery and paint it any color they wanted. More than anything, the opportunity for spouses to make lifelong friends while filling the small room with smiles, laughter and the smell of freshly painted clay.

“It’s nice to know that people are thinking about us,” Bonnie Nguyen, the spouse of Tech. Sgt. Huy Nguyen, a 28th Maintenance Group deployed Airman. “When the kids are driving you nuts and you just need to get out for a while, events like this really help.”

Feeser mentioned it’s easy for spouses of deployed personnel to feel separated from what’s going on in the area, and putting on events like this show them that they are still connected to the rest of the base.

“I will definitely be going to the next event,” Nguyen exclaimed. “It’s nice to get out and share a common interest with other people who are in a similar situation to your own.”

The 28th BW chaplains are planning on having more activities like this so they can keep spouses together and spread the word so that more people can join the fun.

“I think this event was a success because we were able to reach out to these spouses and help their support network grow,” Feeser said.

For additional information about upcoming 28th BW chapel events, call (605) 385-1598.