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Show LT M E S July 3, 2013 9 Military families get some time away together BY MARY Lou GORNY Hilltop Times editor L IBERTY — Military families took a break to experience some summer recreational opportunities, get to know one another a little better, and improve and build on resliency at the Air Expeditionary Force Retreat at Wolf Creek June 28-30. Approximately 34 families who had military members deploying or just returning from a deployment enjoyed a beach party, Hawaiian-themed dinner and participated in a series of short marriage enrichment classes, while their children participated in activities set up just for them. Dominic Gonino, president of the Wolf Creek Foundation, the 501c(3) nonprofit which works to support the retreats, greeted the couples at the final session on Sunday. Gonino said the retreats were created to help provide a place for military families to have some down time, provide some tools and to help military marriages to thrive despite the separations that occur due to deployments. "We would hate to win the war and have you lose your families," said Gonino. His grandfather fought in World War II in Northern Italy and returned home after two years of absence by walking to his home in Southern Italy. He would work for farmers long enough to get something to eat and then continue on his way home. His wife had not heard from him for during the two year period and thought maybe he had died. He walked the 100 miles home and arrived in the middle of the night to say, "Angelina wake up, I'm home," MARY LOU GORNY/Hilltop Times Couples participate in a marital strengthening exercise at the Air Expeditionary Retreat held June 28 at Wolf Creek. The retreats are designed to give military families a chance to strengthen and renew family relationships before or after military deployments. Gonino reported. With that in his heritage and other family members who have served, the descendant of immigrants said he knew how important those family ties were for military families. The president of the foundation thanked the Airmen for their desire, their service and sacrifices and noted that their families also served and sacrificed. The Sunday session, conducted by Chaplain (Capt.) Lukus Counterman, continued on how to strengthen their marriages. This session focused on "to love and to cherish," as couples concluded the series. Communication, love languages, languages of apology and the five magic DOMINIC GONINO, Wolf Creek Foundation president, a 501c(3) nonprofit formed to support the retreats See AEF 1 page 11 Sploosh! Splat! Spluck! Join CHPS, gain freedom from stress Civilian Health Personnel Services T he potential impacts of sequestration have many living under stress. The best thing to do at this time is to prepare for possible outcomes that may arise. With good stress management skills, you can learn to manage your stress level and increase your ability to cope with life's challenges. Stress management isn't a first-aid kit you pull out only in emergencies. Rather, it's a set of tools you can use every day to deal with the big and little issues that arise. Join CHPS for the rest of a 6 week series designed to help you develop good stress management skills. Topics will include: • Identifying stressors • Effects of stress on the body • Coping with stress • Relaxation Techniques • Healthy eating on a budget and emotional Eating • Time and financial management The class series will be held at two locations: Monday series (every Monday, through Aug. 5), 11 a.m. - noon, Warrior Fitness Center, HAWC Classroom Tuesday series (every Tuesday, through Aug. 6) 11:30 a.m. - noon, Sullivan Conference Room, Building 849 Another class at the Health and Wellness Center: Skin cancer awareness: Take action in preventing skin cancer — Wednesday, July 10 11 a.m. to noon Please call 801-586-9584 or e-mail Ellie.Garrett.ctr@hill. af.mil to sign up or for more information. 'We would hate to win the war and have you lose your families.' BY MARY Lou GORNY Hilltop Times editor K MARY LOU GORNY/Hilltop Times Akoni Suafoa (right) and Riley Miranda stand in a mud pit created just for International Mud Day at the Child Development Center East playground. The day was first started in Nepal when staff members organized a day just so orphans kept indoors most of the time would be allowed to experience nature and learn about their environment by playing in the mud. ids and mud. The words seem to go together. At the Child Development Centers East and West, teachers intentionally brought the two together on Friday. Children made mud pies, waded, tip toed or pranced in mud pits. They played in sprinklers and put their hands in the gooey muck. Even the smallest of tots played with beach balls and other toys and put their hands in water sensory tables. Some seemed hesitant at first, but most jumped in once they were encouraged to do so. A mud splatter here, a waterhose splatter there. Most didn't seem to mind on June 28 as temperature gauges were poised to go upward that morning on one of the first triple digit days in Northern Utah. "Mud Day is an international event that is celebrated all over the world," said Jenny Dumpert, assistant director at CDC East. "It began in Nepal and initially targeted a small group of 58 orphaned children to acquaint the children with nature and their environment. It is now celebrated all over the world." Parents were advised to bring their children to school in clothes they could get dirty in, and with a change of clothes. One volunteer mom reported her child had to be convinced it was alright to get his clothes dirty as it was one of his old but favorite swimSee CDC I page 10 |