"You may be far from home, but you are not alone," said Master Sgt. Ernesto Rendon, of the 62nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. Rendon was among many asked to speak to the room of spouses at McChord Field - some new just to the base and some new to the military altogether - during a Heartlink Luncheon in May. He focused on the role the first sergeant should play with the families and reinforced the idea that during a deployment spouses need to know who to turn to.

"There is no excuse for not reaching out to the spouses back home," Rendon said. "Those left in charge back here are aware of that and ensuring you are all fine should be a top priority."

The Heartlink Luncheons, which are held anywhere between two and four times a year depending on the number of incoming families, are intended to provide information and also extend a welcoming hand to new spouses. This was the first time the event was also open to Army spouses, and welcomed speakers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord Main. Topics covered during the four-hour event included how to read a servicemember's Leave and Earning Statement, what the Military & Family Life Consultants can help with and what the Airman & Family Readiness Center does. There were also representatives on hand from TriWest, MWR and the Officers' Spouses Club.

Chief of Protocol Maj. Branin Klausman spoke to the attendees about the seemingly little but truly useful ways his office can help spouses specifically.

"Often when you first arrive you're invited to a lot of your spouse's work events, and it may be intimidating," Klausman said with a smile. "We can answer the age-old ‘what to wear' question in almost any case."

Ashley Young and her husband, Airman 1st Class Shawn Young, just arrived at McChord Field. Since this is their first duty station, she was quick to say that the luncheon was worthwhile and that she learned where to go for a lot of base services.

Megan Mitchell, whose husband, 2nd Lt. Brian Mitchell, is in the 62nd LRS, admitted that this was not her first Heartlink experience.

"I've been a military spouse for about three years, but we just moved here a few months ago. These are always helpful to me, and quite honestly, they are different depending on the base," Mitchell said.

"If a spouse were unable to attend, we have an Air Force Spouses Guide at the A&FRC that they can stop in and pick up," explained Diana Burr, a community readiness technician at the AFRC and the woman behind the success of the luncheon. "It contains most of the information provided during the training plus a whole lot more."

The AFRC, which is located on McChord Field at 552 Barnes Blvd., is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.