Deployed but not alone Families bond over shared service

Stress and strain from long, oft-repeated deployments are facts of life for families in the military, but there is no reason to go it alone or unaided, Maj. Elbert Fadallan, chaplain at Little Rock Air Force Base, said. Fadallan was speaking about the Deployed Family Dinner, held Tuesday at the Walters Community Support Center at the base.

The dinner, held every three months, is for active duty military members and their families, who are about to be deployed, or are already deployed. The dinner is an important tool for commanders to help avoid family conflicts in an already stressful situation, and builds personal contact with family members many of whom have never met those who command their spouse, he said.

First, it builds a camaraderie, a network, for those who remain at home. "It lets [people] know they are not alone, and that is important because they know someone to turn to when things happen, and they always do," he said.

Second, the dinner is often the introduction to the organizations and agencies available to help, Fadallan said. Sometimes families struggle alone, not knowing there is help available to them, the dinner helps prevent such stresses, he said.

Each dinner is sponsored by area groups, businesses and organizations, the February dinner was sponsored by Pinnacle Pointe Hospital, Airman and Family Readiness Center and the 19th Airlift Wing Medical Group.

Pinnacle Pointe CEO Shane Frazier said their sponsorship stems from a close relationship with the military. There is one hospital and several out-patient clinics that provide therapy for emotional and behavioral health issues.

Often, just knowing help is available, is enough to remove much of the strain of separation, Frazier said.

Booths for a half dozen aid agencies lined one wall of the ballroom, drawing a steady stream of people getting information.

Lillie D. Tarver, outreach manager for the 19AW Medical Group Family Advocacy Program, said the program takes a proactive approach to family life. Prevention, and knowing the signs and symptoms that problems may be becoming unmanageable is key to avoiding most conflict, she said.