United in Love eases deployment separation at Lajes Field

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Megan Ward
  • Det. 6, Air Force News Agency
LAJES FIELD, Azores (AFPN) --  Lajes Field members are helping ease the stresses associated with the separation between Airmen and their spouses during times of deployment.

While Airmen are deployed, their spouses can get support through a Lajes Field group called United in Love.

As a member of that group, Angela Horton and other spouses from the Air Force base in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean can turn to others when times get difficult.

Being a parent comes with plenty of responsibility. The challenges alone could overwhelm even a two-parent family. When one of those parents deploy, the hardships become even greater.

"I just keep on doing what I normally do," said Angela Horton, a mother of four. "I just have to step in and be firm. My husband is the firm one, and with him gone it's hard sometimes trying to fill his role."

Her husband, Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Horton, is deployed for four months. As the sole caregiver during her husband's absence, Mrs. Horton makes sure the day-to-day tasks of cooking dinner, helping with homework, and giving baths are done. Sometimes things can get a little hectic, but her kids are what keep her going.

"I'd probably go crazy without my kids. They're my companions and my friends," she said. "We do things, we stay busy, and it makes the time go that much quicker when we're doing things and we're together."

"I just thought it would be a good idea to get together with other women who were going through the same thing," said Amy Phillips, founder of United in Love. "We talk, visit, have dinner together, (and) get to know and support each other."

United in Love not only helps women during the time Airmen are deployed, but also gives military members serving downrange peace of mind.

"If the women have a support system at home, then the husbands don't have to worry about them as much," Mrs. Phillips said. "The husband is able to do his job better if he's not constantly worried about his wife and kids being at home by themselves."

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