McGuire Phoenix Spouse recognized - January 2009

Published Jan. 13, 2009

McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Military families are unlike many other families. Frequent relocations - uprooting children from school and spouses from jobs - and the ever-present reality of overseas deployments, can cause stress for those families. Single servicemembers and their families, back home, also have to deal with the stress that accompanies the military lifestyle.

The Phoenix Spouse program, offered through the McGuire Airman and Family Readiness Center, provides military families with someone who can assist them in dealing with that stress before, during and after a deployment.

Each month, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will recognize a McGuire Phoenix Spouse for all of their hard work, dedication and commitment. We thank you all for what you do as Team McGuire members and Phoenix Spouses.

Full name: Veronica Guzman Bass

Unit assigned: 305th Medical Operations Squadron

How long have you been a Phoenix Spouse? Since May 2008

What activities have you taken part in as a Phoenix Spouse? Farewell for Col. Doug Anderson, former 305th Medical Group commander, 305th Medical Group change of command, Airmen's Attic, Kids Deployment Line and coordinating Couples Game Night Event held in July at The Club.

What do you find most rewarding about being a Phoenix Spouse? I find it rewarding to interact with other spouses as well as the active-duty members. Passing along important information and creating events for all to take part in is very rewarding.

What do you think about this program? I think the Phoenix Spouse program is a great program to help deployed spouses and families. I like interacting with all personnel, the active-duty member, their spouse and children. The program is very worthwhile compared to others because it is an outlet for spouses to obtain information and creates a way for them to become involved.