14th FTW Airmen, spouses attend international spouses’ appreciation luncheon

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  More than 80 local community members and Columbus Air Force Base spouses and Airmen gathered at Old Waverly Clubhouse in West Point, Mississippi, Oct. 30 for the 2014 International Spouses' Appreciation Luncheon.

Organized by Linda Gates, International Spouses' Appreciation Luncheon planning committee member, East Mississippi Community College district director of job placement and a Columbus AFB Wingman, the annual event brings together local community and Team BLAZE members to provide information and the opportunity to make new friends.

Gates said this was the tenth annual luncheon at the clubhouse.

"Patricia Wilson started the international spouse's group, and she was looking for things to do in the community to support the group," Gates said. "Because I'm a member at Old Waverly, we thought this would be a great venue to host them."

The guests were invited to dress in attire that represented their heritage. As the afternoon began, the dining room filled with color as many in the group wore costumes.  Countries represented at the event included Japan, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Iceland, Philippines, China, Laos, Russia, Spain, Peru, Chile, Portugal, Canada, United Kingdom, Guam and more.

After arriving and taking photographs in the clubhouse garden, Gates welcomed the participants and recognized the luncheon's planning committee.

In addition to Gates and Wilson, the committee included Carolyn Boster, Chief Master Sgt. Rita Felton, Beth Gillian, Marleen Hansen, Joanne Kayser, Suzy Kidd, Brenda Marciel, Melissa McArthur, Jacqueline Newton, Michelle Nichols and the Old Waverly staff.

Nichols, wife of Col. John Nichols, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, and Felton, 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief, then thanked Gates, the planning committee, and the participants before the chief gave the invocation.

The group was served lunch as they individually introduced themselves and listened to information provided by many of the attendees. Information provided included news about the Columbus Library, volunteer opportunities with the United Way, events offered by the West Point Main Street and Arts Council, Main Street Columbus and the Columbus Arts Council, opportunities provided by the Columbus AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center, and educational classes available at the Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College.

After the speakers were finished, the participants were treated to dancing performed by members from the Hot Hula Polynesian dance class offered at the Columbus AFB Fitness Center, and were even invited to join in the dancing and take a quick lesson themselves after the group's performance.

The class consists of Team BLAZE members and included at the event were Hazel Capalad, Rebecca Caplinger, Maria Cruz, Amari Kimble, Rachelle Talavera, Criss Wurm, Alicia Lieber, and Dhang Sommers.

After the entertainment, Hansen recognized Gabriella Belardo, who recently received the Air Force Association's Mike and Gail Donley $2,500 Spouse Scholarship. She then awarded luncheon participant Cristina Mercer with the luncheon's door prize, entry to attend an EMCC International Spouses' Listening Program class.
Nichols said she was glad to be a part of this year's luncheon.

"I think it's awesome that we get a chance to get together and meet people from different cultures and hopefully make lifelong friends, and I hope everyone felt welcome," she said.

Gates said she most enjoys the diversity and the joy the international spouses express about having the event.

"The event is a very large group planning committee effort and partnership with the local community and Columbus AFB and the leadership spouses," she said. "It's a big team effort that's not possible without them."

As the event concluded, the group filtered slowly out of the dining room, talking, laughing and exchanging information with newfound, possibly lifelong friends.