Partners in Paradise- MCB Hawaii hosts 2010 Joint Spouses Conference, honors duties of military spouses

Lance Cpl. Tyler L. Main

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – In the pursuit of knowledge, friendship, resources and enrichment for military spouses, the base hosted a Joint Spouses Conference (JSC) at the officer’s club on Oct. 23. More than 50 presenters, 90 workshops, 40 volunteers and about 300 spouses attended the event.

“I think these conferences are important because it gives us an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, and be motivated to try something new,” said Karen Broadmeadow, this year’s director and a Marine spouse.

The JSC host rotates among the services each year. It was last here in 2006.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Partners in Paradise.” The title recognizes the partnership military spouses have between friends, colleagues, family members and the military and local communities that help spouses be successful.

The base did its part as lead partner by taking spouses on a historic tour, and also to see military working dog demonstrations, the combat convoy simulator, waterfront operations, explosive ordnance disposal unit demonstrations, the booby bird population and the Nuupia Ponds habitat.

Back at the officer’s club, spouses attended various workshops and an information expo.

“It’s great that we helped spouses identify resources that they may not have known were available,” Broadmeadow said.

The information expo was a buffet of knowledge. Local companies and organizations set up display tables with representatives who talked with spouses, answered questions, and provided informational pamphlets.

The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Operation Homefront, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hawaii Pacific University and Military OneSource were only a few of the 26 organizations in attendance.

“This is overall a fantastic way to honor spouses,” said Allison Stanton, a workshop co-chair for the JSC. “Every single organization [presented] for free.”

Deborah Kitchens, Navy liaison for the conference, spoke about one of the workshops she attended. ” ‘Tablescaping and Event Planning’ [was] taught by Air Force Tech Sgt. Raphel Rauer who was wonderful,” she said. “There were approximately 12 tables with different ideas for different occasions/holidays. Tech Sgt. Rauer gave practical tips for entertaining, how to create a welcoming table, tips about food, decorating,” Kitchens explained.

The conference relayed the importance and appreciation of military spouses and was an opportunity for spouses to apply themselves to a schedule of diverse learning opportunities.

“Partners are everything,” said keynote speaker Susan Page, an entrepreneur and writer who founded a modeling company after the death of her first husband, a Marine pilot. “Don’t be afraid to lead or to follow and go arm and arm with someone. Don’t be afraid to get in step with someone. Don’t be afraid to dance.”

Broadmeadow agreed that camaraderie was an essential part of the event.

“It brings together spouses from all of the services and helps reinforce camaraderie and the purpose we all have as spouses,” she said.

Many workshops were offered throughout the day including, “Successful Photography in Paradise,” “Tablescaping and Event Planning” and “Space A Travel Tips and Tricks.”

Childcare and breakfast were also provided. An early evening wine tasting closed the day-long event.

“I had two favorite parts,” Broadmeadow said. “The first was seeing and hearing the excitement and enthusiasm from spouses throughout the day. The second was planning and coordinating with a superb group of ladies from all services who had been meeting since February, March time-frame.”

Next year’s event will be hosted by the Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Spouses are encouraged to check the JSC Hawaii website at http://www.jschawaii.com periodically for more information.

“People should come join in the celebration of being a military spouse and take the opportunity to participate in workshops that are enthusiastically presented by the military and local communities , ” Broadmeadow said.