By Ensign Bridget Morrissey
Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
DENVER - Navy Operational Support Center Denver held its annual Pre-Deployment Family Readiness Conference for sailors and their families, with special guest speaker U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman.
Having been deployed twice as a Marine Corps officer in both Gulf Wars, Coffman empathized with the many concerns and sacrifices that troops and their families go through on deployment.
“I’m struck by the men and women that serve this country. Having served in the Army and Marine Corps, I see the military as a truly elite organization,” Coffman said.
The readiness conference educates attendees on deployment issues and provides support and resources to their families as they prepare for their sailor to leave home.
Coffman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has served on active duty and in the reserve. In 2005, during a full tour in Iraq, Coffman worked to support the Independent Electoral Commission in Iraq, helping to ensure the voting rights of Iraqi citizens in democratic elections.
“Deployment is challenging, but the great thing is you have the ability to communicate with your families in real time, like you never could before,” Coffman said.
Commanding Officer of Navy Operational Support Center Denver, Capt. Leith Wimmer, welcomed the congressman on a tour of the Mile High NOSC and its facilities.
“It’s great to have to have Rep. Coffman join us during for this year’s PFRDC,” Wimmer said. “I’m pleased that our sailors were able to engage with a leader in Congress. That is what this weekend is about -- educating our men and women about the resources and support that is available to them and their families for future and returning deployments. ”