Photo By Kristen Wong | (From left to right:) Navy spouse Johanna Drake, Army spouse Kim Gonzales and Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - More than 270 military spouses from various Hawaii military installations attended the Joint Spouses’ Conference 2014: Operation Aloha at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 27, 2014.
The annual conference provides military spouses with information, resources and activities to support them as they live in Hawaii during their active-duty spouse’s tour.
The conference began bright and early at 7:15 a.m., and ran through the afternoon till 6:30 p.m. Each registered spouse could sign up for four of 26 different available workshops.
“It (gets) the spouse out of their comfort zone,” said Missy Rubino, the director of this year’s conference. “(The conference) gives them a chance to try something they wouldn’t normally try.”
Rubino mentioned that there were even representatives from III Marine Expeditionary Force who attended the conference to get ideas for a potential similar conference in Okinawa, Japan. There were 26 workshops to choose from, covering topics from creative writing to cooking.
“This is an amazing experience for spouses to come together,” said Army spouse Kim Gonzales.
Gonzales spent the morning learning different cake-decorating techniques and how to string flower leis. She said she heard about the conference through friends and looked forward to making new friendships.
Several of the workshops were physical activities, including Zumba, hula dancing and stand-up paddleboarding.
“I’ve had so much fun,” said Air Force spouse Lauren Hamblin.
For Hamblin, the conference was an opportunity to take a break from the children and learn new skills. Around lunchtime, spouses went to The Officers’ Club for fruit and wraps, while others browsed through a silent auction. The lunch also featured guest speaker Jill Rutan Hoffman, a pilot, writer and 25-year Air Force spouse. Rutan Hoffman’s father, Dick, is a famous pilot, and her uncle is well-known aeronautical designer Burt Rutan.
“Once we read her bio, we knew she was a perfect fit,” Rubino said. “I think she did a great job today.”
During her speech, Rutan Hoffman encouraged the spouses to try activities that made them “uncomfortable.” For instance, she said if they saw an activity they thought they would like, but weren’t sure they’d be able to do it well, they should still try it.
“This morning felt uncomfortable surfing in the rain,” Rutan Hoffman said. “But I did it and I it felt good.” Rutan Hoffman said she enjoyed her stay in Hawaii and was thrilled and honored to speak at the conference.
Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stopped by the conference for the luncheon. He mentioned that the spouses put together such an elaborate and incredible conference without missing a beat.
“They’ve done a great job,” Toolan said. “It was great to be able to be here today, say ‘hi’ to all of the spouses, get to know them a little bit and have fun.”
The day wrapped up with a recognition ceremony and information tables featuring various organizations.
Rear Adm. Cari B. Thomas, commanding officer of the 14th Coast Guard District was among the distinguished guests at the conference. Thomas has experienced being both a service member and military spouse.
While she was deployed, her husband took care of their daughter, who came down with pneumonia.
“I would not be in my job were it not for my spouse,” Thomas said. “He was the rock during my deployment.”
Thomas said the conference benefited the spouses in various ways from being able to make friends to learning about a new culture. For more information on how to register for next year’s conference, visit jschawaii.com.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2014 22:03 |
| Story ID: | 144274 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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