wrbones
03-10-03, 09:31 AM
It's a month old, but....
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1043292931.shtml
There is a link to send notes, prayers and well wishes to Marines
Town, base pull together for families
Goal: Keep spouses from leaving area
By Christine Mahr
The Desert Sun
January 23, 2003
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TWENTYNINE PALMS MARINE CORPS COMBAT CENTER -- Neither Marinefamilies nor the nearby community were prepared for the deployment of troops to the Gulf War more than a decade ago.
Feeling alone and vulnerable, wives abandoned the base and went to live with relatives.
When they left, local businesses and the economy suffered.
Hoping to avoid a repeat of that situation, the base and the community have teamed up to support the families of Marines now being deployed to the Middle East.
Marine Corps Community Services staff, base volunteers and community leaders will provide families with programs, services and activities while their loved ones are away through Operation Enduring Families.
About 450 combat Marines were deployed to the Middle East on Tuesday in what was the first of an incremental deployment of at least 1,000 Marines.
"The idea is to identify the needs of families left behind and to address those needs in a positive way so their routine remains as normal as possible," said Lt. Col. Russ Scott, community services director at the base.
Keeping families stable and happy so they’ll remain at the base will benefit both Marines and the local community, Scott said.
"The Marines don’t have to worry about their families, and the impact (of deployment) on the community will be less," he said.
Community leaders who recall the city’s crippled economy during Desert Storm and Desert Shield agree.
"Lots of families left and businesses closed," said Dee Thompson, executive director of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce.
To help keep families at the base, residents will "adopt" families and taken them on outings such as hikes and picnics.
The chamber also plans to develop a list of business discounts and services such as baby-sitting.
And patriotic banners will be displayed to show the town’s support for the military, Thompson said.
On the base, a network of 200 military spouses support families by referring them to services, helping them solve problems, organizing activities for them and serving as a communication link between units and their families.
"We’re a support system for spouses and someone for them to talk to," said Vicki Strause, a U.S. Navy Reserve Corpsman and wife of Sgt. Eric Strause.
Known as Key Volunteers, the program has existed for several years. Members are trained to work with and support military families -- work that is especially important now with the deployment.
"Some (spouses) feel they can get better support from mom and dad, but we try to show them there’s lots of support here at the base," said Sheri Hummer, Key Volunteer coordinator and wife of Col. Steven Hummer, commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 7.
Some volunteers who have been through deployment before can can empathize with wives who feel "How will I make it without my husband?"
But they are able to point out the benefits of staying on the base.
"The base becomes our sanctuary and our neighbors become our extended families," said Renee Cerroni, wife of 1st Lt. Michael Cerroni.
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Christine Mahr covers courts and higher education for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at (760) 775-4207 or via e-mail at Christine.Mahr@thedesertsun.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
©2003 The Desert Sun.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the
Terms of Service (updated April 11, 2000). | Contact us
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1043292931.shtml
There is a link to send notes, prayers and well wishes to Marines
Town, base pull together for families
Goal: Keep spouses from leaving area
By Christine Mahr
The Desert Sun
January 23, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TWENTYNINE PALMS MARINE CORPS COMBAT CENTER -- Neither Marinefamilies nor the nearby community were prepared for the deployment of troops to the Gulf War more than a decade ago.
Feeling alone and vulnerable, wives abandoned the base and went to live with relatives.
When they left, local businesses and the economy suffered.
Hoping to avoid a repeat of that situation, the base and the community have teamed up to support the families of Marines now being deployed to the Middle East.
Marine Corps Community Services staff, base volunteers and community leaders will provide families with programs, services and activities while their loved ones are away through Operation Enduring Families.
About 450 combat Marines were deployed to the Middle East on Tuesday in what was the first of an incremental deployment of at least 1,000 Marines.
"The idea is to identify the needs of families left behind and to address those needs in a positive way so their routine remains as normal as possible," said Lt. Col. Russ Scott, community services director at the base.
Keeping families stable and happy so they’ll remain at the base will benefit both Marines and the local community, Scott said.
"The Marines don’t have to worry about their families, and the impact (of deployment) on the community will be less," he said.
Community leaders who recall the city’s crippled economy during Desert Storm and Desert Shield agree.
"Lots of families left and businesses closed," said Dee Thompson, executive director of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce.
To help keep families at the base, residents will "adopt" families and taken them on outings such as hikes and picnics.
The chamber also plans to develop a list of business discounts and services such as baby-sitting.
And patriotic banners will be displayed to show the town’s support for the military, Thompson said.
On the base, a network of 200 military spouses support families by referring them to services, helping them solve problems, organizing activities for them and serving as a communication link between units and their families.
"We’re a support system for spouses and someone for them to talk to," said Vicki Strause, a U.S. Navy Reserve Corpsman and wife of Sgt. Eric Strause.
Known as Key Volunteers, the program has existed for several years. Members are trained to work with and support military families -- work that is especially important now with the deployment.
"Some (spouses) feel they can get better support from mom and dad, but we try to show them there’s lots of support here at the base," said Sheri Hummer, Key Volunteer coordinator and wife of Col. Steven Hummer, commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 7.
Some volunteers who have been through deployment before can can empathize with wives who feel "How will I make it without my husband?"
But they are able to point out the benefits of staying on the base.
"The base becomes our sanctuary and our neighbors become our extended families," said Renee Cerroni, wife of 1st Lt. Michael Cerroni.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christine Mahr covers courts and higher education for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at (760) 775-4207 or via e-mail at Christine.Mahr@thedesertsun.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
©2003 The Desert Sun.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the
Terms of Service (updated April 11, 2000). | Contact us