Spouses, families of deployed Airmen go the distance

  • Published
  • By Erin D. Martin
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  Spouses and family members of Moody's deployed Airmen have an opportunity to go the distance through the "Inching Toward Iraq" program.

The program is designed to help families cope with the stress of deployments, and it focuses on having families walk the distance it would take them to reunite with their loved ones.

There are three teams, based on deployed locations in Iraq, Djibouti and Afghanistan, said Maj. Lee Anne Lamer, 347th Aeromedical Squadron health promotions manager.
The goal for Team Iraq is to walk 6,787 miles, Team Djibouti's goal is 7,719 miles and Team Afghanistan's goal is 7,683 miles.

"We want to do something positive and active for the families during this very stressful time, so the idea was to help them walk the miles to Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa to get their spouses back," said Major Lamer.

This program also gives spouses and family members a chance to build new friendships with others who are experiencing the same stress and heartache.

"The goal is to help build networks to reduce stress in a positive manner, while building communities, friendships and finding people to reach out and help each other," said the major.

The inspiration for organizing Moody's program came from an article in a family magazine. The article was about a group of Army wives at Fort Drum, N.Y., who decided to walk the distance that separates them from their deployed spouses.

"A gentleman's father, who was physically disabled, got out on his crutches to walk a mile every day to help bring his son home," said Major Lamer, referring to the article.

"Evidence has shown what really stresses people out is the waiting and not knowing, so this gave the people mentioned in the article something active to do to help bring their family member back," she added. "Along the way, they lost weight, reduced stress and built friendships and networks."

Lisa Pearce, a 347th Rescue Wing civilian paralegal, is the team captain of the legal office's group. Mrs. Pearce, whose husband is deployed to Afghanistan, helps motivate the people she works with to reach not only the team's goal, but also each individual's goal while exercising.

"People in my group are doing a variety of things including mowing the lawn, walking, running and pushing their baby in a stroller," she said.

The legal office is not only helping to support Mrs. Pearce, they also are helping the needy in the area.

Collecting aluminum tabs from soda cans and other canned goods also help accumulate miles for the teams' goals. The tabs are cashed in and the money is donated to the Fisher House, a house for families of military members who are sick or injured, said Mrs. Pearce.

"Collecting these tabs helps us do two things at once," Mrs. Pearce said. "We are getting to our goal faster and helping a worthy cause."

In addition to running, jogging, swimming and pushing baby strollers, team members are also attending classes at the heath and wellness center. Educational and family advocacy parenting classes, yoga, Pilates and aerobics can help accumulate miles toward the teams' goals.

The activities also get children involved in bringing their parents home.

"If a mom pushes her toddler in a stroller, the toddler gets a half a mile toward the team goal," Major Lamer said. "So far, we have had a great response from people, and I hope participation continues to grow as the program progresses."