Deployed Airmen families celebrate holidays together

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Capling
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Tyndall Air Force Base Airmen and Family Readiness center hosted a "Hearts Apart" holiday party Dec. 13 for family members of deployed servicemembers.

The evening consisted of a pizza dinner, holiday craft making and gifts donated by the Florida National Guard Family Readiness Center, for the attending children.

"We had a great turnout with more than 45 people," said Master Sgt. Kat Mygan, 325th Mission Support Squadron family readiness manager and party coordinator. "This is the first year we've held this party, but we're looking to make it an annual event."

Cathy Vaden, wife of deployed Master Sgt. Robert Vaden, Airey NCO Academy instructor, attended the party with their four children.

"It's been comforting to be around people in the same situation as we're in," Mrs. Vaden said. "It's been great for the kids to get to meet other children with parents who are deployed. Plus, it was one less dinner I had to cook!"

The focus of the party was to show support to the families while their loved ones are away.

"We want to make sure we don't forget the people who are left behind," Sergeant Mygan said. "This is our way of reaching out to these families during the holidays when the absence of a loved one is felt even more than usual. We want to let them know they have an Air Force family"