Relationships built at spouses dining-in

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alystria Maurer
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Family, friends and colleagues came together to celebrate military spouses during a spouses dining-in at the Dakota's Club, April 20.

Hosted jointly by the Enlisted and Officer/civilian Spouses Clubs, along with the spouses of the 28th Bomb Wing's senior leadership, the event served as an opportunity for Ellsworth spouses to build relationships with one another.

"Military spouses come from all over and are involved in many different things," said Jennifer Katrenak, member of the 28th Bomb Wing senior leader spouses group and wife of Col. James Katrenak, 28th Maintenance Group commander. "Some of us have careers, some volunteer and some stay home. In the end, we all have one thing in common we all have to adjust our lives and daily routines to support our military member's obligations. This event helps to foster camaraderie between all spouses of Ellsworth, strengthen bonds and build friendships."

This year the event featured the theme of "Game Night," for which each team chose a board game to represent themselves. Not only did each team dress to mirror their chosen game, but decorated their tables to match the theme. Some of the team's "Game Night" themes were Operation, Candyland, Apples to Apples, and Guess Who. Each team also prepared a skit or song to perform and prizes were given for the best table decorations, best costumes, best skit and most creative theme.

"This event really boosted morale, it allowed different groups to get together and get to know each other," said Guadalupe Robson, president of the Enlisted Spouses Club and wife of Master Sgt. Marc Robson, 28th Communications Squadron section chief of policy and evaluation. "These groups usually don't get the opportunity to meet one another and this night let all groups intermix and create new friendships."

The event started as a traditional military dining-in and began with a series of toasts - a salute to the hero table and moved on to dinner. Afterward, traditional dining-in protocol went out the window and the fun began. During the skits and songs, military spouses bonded over laughter and social interaction.

"This year the spouses begged to do a spouses dining-in, so I think it is very likely that spouses dining-in could become an annual event." said Katrenak.