Courtesy Photo | First Lt. Vivian Yanquoi-West (seated), chaplain for 4th Brigade Special Troops...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas— Soldiers of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, participated in a couples retreat in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 27-29, designed to have them focus on how to love one another and understand what their spouse loves about them.
The “Strong Bonds” retreat brought soldiers and their spouses from throughout the Long Knife brigade to learn different communication skills from unit chaplains through classes and activities; to help them manage their separation during the brigade’s upcoming deployment.
“We really didn’t think there would be much for us (to learn), but we were wrong. (The chaplains) really had a lot of wisdom,” said Melody Manwell, a Long Knife spouse from Battle Creek, Mich.
The weekend consisted of multiple activities including; self-help videos on the differences in men and women and how to build a better relationship, composing love letters, dancing and renewing vows.
“The video, ‘Laugh your Way to a Better Marriage’ showed us that communication is a major issue especially since he’s deploying. That’s something that we’re going to have to make sure we maintain,” said Spc. Dorian Lynch, a light wheel mechanic from Lithonia, Ga.
Soldiers and their spouses did a 30-second “tell all” on distractions in communication with each other where they told their significant other what they feel keeps them from communicating.
The retreat was sponsored by the brigade and battalion chaplains and had the full support of the commanders.
“I’m glad the chaplain’s corps afforded us this opportunity to do this for the soldiers and our leadership for allowing the Soldiers to have a day off stretching their bonds with family,” said Chaplain (1st Lt.) Vivian Yanquoi-West, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. “Communication is the key to everything,”
The unit is scheduled to deploy later this summer in support of Operation New Dawn where they will advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2010 16:26 |
| Story ID: | 55558 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 10 |
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