Red Lions' families prepare for deployment with family day
Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay (Aug. 25, 2006) -- “The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its home,” said the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/6E9F743673201F3D852571D600051DF2?opendocument
Aug. 25, 2006
By Lance Cpl. Edward C. deBree, MCB Hawaii
As Marines and Sailors of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 prepare for an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the squadron is taking steps in order to prepare the families for this deployment.
Red Lion families have participated in a pre-deployment brief and a family day to help prepare them for their loved ones’ deployment.
“We had awesome spouse volunteers from HMH-463 to help us out at these events,” said Lt. Col. Allen Broughton, commanding officer, HMH-363. “They helped set up the brief and the family day that we held. The brief covered where we are going to be at while we are there, how to communicate with the Marines and Sailors, what services are still available here at base including the exchange and commissary. The largest portion of the brief was to introduce the key volunteers and the key volunteer program.”
After the brief, each spouse received a binder with information on how to contact the Key Volunteer Program, Base Housing, Base Legal, and their Marine or Sailor in Iraq.
On Aug. 19, HMH-363 held a family day picnic at Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, Hawaii, in order to allow the spouses to get to know one another.
“It was another great Saturday for us as a unit and our families,” said Broughton. “We had bouncy houses, slip and slides, and a dunk tank where Marines or Sailors could dunk any (staff noncommissioned officer) or officer that they chose. We have fourteen key volunteers and a very strong Key Volunteer Program.”
The Lemoore, Calif., native said he plans on having the Key Volunteer Program hold a family event every month in attempts to building a strong support system for families.
Broughton said that the Key Volunteer Program, headed by Casey Robbins, is doing an outstanding job at building the team and network of volunteers who will stay in touch with the families while their loved on is deployed.
One scheduled event is the haunted helicopter on Halloween, which will be hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 24; something that Broughton said is what makes his unit special.
“The best part about this MAG is the tight family feeling that it has,” he said. “MAG-24’s headquarters will act as the rear detachment and help with any family issues that may arise while we are in Iraq. It’s great that they are helping as the Red Lions are currently preparing for this deployment. We are living by our motto, ‘train as you fight.’ We will soon be transitioning it to, ‘fight as you train.’”
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