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KSC welcomes base spouses

  • Published
  • By Angela Cutrer
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Lt. Col. Scott Solomon and his wife, Devalynn, moved to Keesler Air Force Base in June 15, 2008, with their three children, Paul, 15; Sarah, 14; and David, 4. They hoped to settle in, make themselves at home, and find new acquaintances. 

Only one year later, Mrs. Solomon does feel right at home - at Keesler and as the new president of the Keesler Spouses Club, a "great place to discover new friends." 

"When you move somewhere new and you are looking for a friend, you are not sure where to go," Mrs. Solomon said. "The KSC is the perfect place becomes it opens that spectrum to finding people you can depend on and creating relationships that go beyond just where you are all stationed. 

"Our theme this year reflects that: 'Lighting the Pathways to Friendship" means we want to go beyond just meeting people. We want to keep those friendships for all time." 

The Keesler Spouses Club, which has existed for more than 40 years, is a charitable and social organization focused on community involvement. The group's social events consist of monthly gatherings, usually held on the second Tuesday of each month, and all of its events are commonly found in the "Meetings" section of the Keesler News. 

Memberships are available to all spouses of a KAFB active duty member, including active duty guard and reserves, spouses of a retired service member, as well as spouses of civil service or key personnel. 

The KSC Thrift Shop, open Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., generates funds for a multitude of KSC benefits, including college scholarships awarded to eligible Keesler family members. There were 11 recipients of $10,000 worth of scholarships this year. The shop is located within Chapel 1 at the corner of Second and H streets. 

Other contributions that benefit Keesler and the local community include donating to the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, the Women's Resource Center in Gulfport, the First Sergeant's Association, and local charities such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. 

The Fisher House of Keesler, where military families can stay while their loved one is treated at a local medical facility, receives donations of goods as well as time when KSC members prepare meals for the guests. The group also participates and donates to the Special Olympics. 

The next KSC event is scheduled for Sept. 8, when members will kick off "FUNdamentals," a premise the group hopes to prove to visitors. "KSC is about people being there for each other," Mrs. Solomon said. "We'll be there when you need us. But if I have to sum up the meaning of the club on a personal level for the members, I'd have to say support. You get, but you give. It comes full circle."
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