Keesler Spouses Club helps families adjust to military life

Published Feb. 16, 2011
By Senior Airman Eric Summers Jr.
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- For a military spouse, getting acquainted with military life can be taxing. Some may have to move and become separated from friends and family that they've known their whole lives.

Keesler has a program, though, that's designed to help spouses by gathering them together with peers that may have experienced the same ordeal.

The Keesler Spouses Club is a charitable and social organization focused on community involvement.

"The KSC has a social event each month between September and May," said Jeanne Newberry, KSC president.

She's married to Lt. Col. James Newberry, 85th Engineering Installation Squadron.

"In addition to the monthly socials, the KSC offers several activity groups such as a discovery group, scrapbooking and bunko," she added.

The spouses group also raises money for various charities and organizations on base and in the surrounding community.

"When it comes to charitable giving, the Keesler Thrift Shop is our main source of charitable funds," Mrs. Newberry explained. "Money generated from the thrift shop allows the KSC to donate to charitable organizations benefitting Keesler, such as the Fisher House and the airman and family readiness center.

We also donate to our local community, including the Gulf Coast Women's Shelter for Nonviolence, college scholarships and our legacy groups such as the Air Force Village and Air Force Enlisted Widows."

Before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the spouse club here today was two separate groups -- the enlisted spouses club and and the officer spouses club. Following Katrina, the two organizations joined together to form the KSC.

"When we moved to Keesler in 2008, my husband and I had only been married for three years," Mrs. Newberry recalled. "The move was my first and I was leaving behind friends I had known my whole life, as well as my family." Mrs. Newberry said.

"I soon realized my experience at Keesler would be what I made it," she continued. "I could choose to sit around and miss my family and friends or get involved with other spouses and organizations on base. I chose to join the Keesler Spouses Club and get involved. It's been a decision I am happy I made and has made my time here both memorable and rewarding.

Any Keesler spouse is able to become part of the organization.

"Membership in the KSC is open to spouses of any Armed Forces member working at Keesler," said Mrs. Newberry.

"This includes both officer and enlisted spouses, spouses of active Guard or Reserve members as well as spouses of civil service or key civilian personnel working at Keesler."

Membership information and applications are available at the Keesler Thrift Shop, located at the corner of Meadows Drive and First Street, as well as on the KSC website, www.keeslerspousesclub.com