ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted their annual Hearts Apart Holiday party Dec. 9, at the Andrews Youth Center for 98 family members separated from their loved ones this holiday season.
The Hearts Apart monthly program is designed for the families of military members separated from their spouses due to commitments such as deployments or remote tours.
For families, getting together and networking with others is helpful.
Amy Bartlett, wife of Lt. Col. Cy Bartlett, 770th Air Expeditionary Squadron commander at Camp Taji, Iraq and mom to Faith, 5, and Grace, 3, said, "Staying busy and going to events like Hearts Apart helps the time go by faster. I really try and keep involved and stay active. Coming to the Hearts Apart holiday party I think is important for the kids to see that there are other kids in their same shoes. We live off-base, so it's important to come to this party to see that they aren't the only ones with their daddy gone."
Colonel Bartlett will complete his one-year deployment in mid-March.
"Feeling secure is an important issue to her and her family," said Cheryl Woodruff, wife of Maj. Rich Woodruff, Air Force Medical Operations Agency-Global Medical Readiness bioenvironmental engineer and chief readiness operational officer currently deployed to Baghdad, and mom to Woody, 9, twins Alison and Ashley, 6, and Lizzie B., 4. "I feel safer at on-base functions - especially with four children and doing it by myself. For me there is really a sense of security knowing that I can come to these events and have a good time and know that everyone is secure - it's very comforting."
Major Woodruff has completed one month of his six-month tour.
"It is truly a Team Andrews and a local community effort," said Master Sgt. Frank Furtado, Airman and Family Readiness Center superintendent. "Master Sgt. Glynis Fresia, the Andrews Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO was the lead planner of this year's Hearts Apart event and was helped by the A&FRC staff and volunteers from around the base - including our Key and Phoenix spouses. At this event, we had two volunteers from the Bolling A&FRC."
More than 40 Team Andrews volunteers participated in the event.
Members of the local community assisted in the event as well as home-schooled youth from the Grace Tabernacle Orchestra and Choral Ensemble, made the trip from Ashburn, Va., to play especially for the Hearts Apart event.
"We have a special burden for the military and the people and their families that are deployed," said Ryan Thomas, the ensemble's director. "We wanted to make the trip - it is our hope that our music and performance bring healing for the families, especially during this time." The orchestra made up of 5 to 18-year old youths played Christmas music throughout the event.
"These events help demonstrate to the families of deployed and remotely stationed service members that they are not alone during the time while they are separated from their loved ones," said Nina Sargent, A&FRC financial readiness assistant. "There are many people supporting them and resources are available to help. Additionally, our goal is to provide a time for the spouses and the children to network with others in the same situation while learning that there are organizations accessible to them."
The Hearts Apart events are designed to help members of the extended military family, in addition to those currently served by the program.
"We are here to give them as much support as possible," said Mrs. Sargent. "Oftentimes, we have family members that are not affiliated with Andrews - like they are living with family in the area or are members of other services, but we still cater to those family members, as well."
For more information on the next Hearts Apart function, please contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 301-981-7087.