JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Sacrifice is a way of life for service members and their families. When deployments arise the Air Force Core Value, Service Before Self, is called to action.
The Military and Family Support Center here stands by selfless service members of the National Capital Region by finding creative ways to unite them with their loved ones.
Families reached out to their deployed member, Jan. 11, at the "Memo to Parents" Hearts Apart and United Through Reading event held at the M&FSC.
The United Service Organization sponsored program, United Through Reading allows deploying service members to record themselves reading to a child they care about, and vice versa.
"It's a great opportunity for deployed family members to come together to find support and get exposed to resources available on military bases," said Jeremie Bianes, M&FSC community readiness specialist.
Bianes, whose active-duty Air Force husband is deployed, attended the event with her children. Along with many other families, they were provided the opportunity to get a professional photograph taken and write a note to communicate with their loved ones.
A 360 degree glance around the room captured chatty children coloring and writing notes, people mingling while waiting in-line for their turn to be photographed, and a small child could be seen in a quite room reading "The Hungry Caterpillar" in front of a webcam.
"We just wanted to provide something low-key and give families the opportunity to fellowship with others in their situation," said Tech. Sgt. Amanda Mocanu, M&FSC readiness non-commissioned officer.
At its core, the event gives members a lifeline to the hearts of their deployed family member.
"It's not always possible for a deployed parent to be available in our fast-food, Skype, FaceTime culture. When a child is at home, they want to see mommy, daddy or whomever," said Mocanu. "United Through Reading offers gratification for the child and a lower stress level for the parent at home. Parents can put in the CD-ROM and let their child watch their loved one read them a story."
Alternatively, kids learning how to read made video recordings to send to their loved one.
"That is such a precious time when your kids are learning how to read," Mocanu said. "That can help a deployed service member take a bad day and make it a little better when they know they can go back to their tent or their dorm room and watch a video of their child reading a memo book.
The discs are produced the day of the event for immediate distribution, and most families at the event took advantage of the free photo shoot.
Maj. Waylan Mitchell, Pentagon Headquarters for Acquisition chief of vehicles production management, his wife Sarah and their toddler had their photo taken by Free Akins, the Hearts Apart
"This is our first deployment and we haven't done anything for it yet, so we decided to come out," said Sarah. "This event was such a blessing."
To RSVP for the upcoming Valentine's care package event slated for Feb. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m., please call 301-981-7087.