JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Free skin care and pampering services. Free massages. Free wine tasting.
What do these things have in common, other than being free?
These services are provided by the more than 85 different vendors and non-profit agencies that will be participating in the 633rd Force Support Squadron's seventh annual "Evening Under the Stars" free joint military spouse appreciation event, where military spouses from all services can enjoy an evening of pampering, relaxation and socializing.
"The overall concept is just a thank you to the spouses," said Master Sgt. Dawn Chapman, 633rd FSS readiness noncommissioned officer. "As military members, we get awards and decorations, but our spouses do not. This is just a way for us to say 'Thank you for what you do, and thank you to your family for their sacrifices.'"
Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which falls on the Friday before Mother's Day annually, is a way to give back and celebrate the strength of military spouses nationwide. In honoring this holiday, the 633rd FSS hosts "Evening Under the Stars" in the month of May.
This year, the event is from 5 to 8 p.m. May 30 inside the Hampton Roads Convention Center, and is open to all military spouses with a Department of Defense-issued identification card. This includes Guard, reserve and dual-military spouses, as well as spouses of retired Service members.
Chapman said the event not only provides spouses with a social atmosphere, it also serves as a networking opportunity.
"It provides an avenue [for spouses] to find out what is available in the community, as well as meet other spouses from different services," said Chapman. "A spouse also might want to become a representative for one of these vendors and might be able to start a home-based business as a result of coming to the event."
Some of the vendors at the event include cosmetic and skin care services, massage therapists, accessory vendors, military readiness agencies and additional military resources. There are also vendors that cater toward interests of male spouses, such as representatives from a local flight school.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service will also be offering wine tasting at the event. Because of this and the spouse-focused atmosphere, children are not allowed, said Chapman.
In addition to the resources and opportunities "Evening Under the Stars" provides to military spouses, the event also benefits Service members, said Chapman.
"For our military members, it's important to know their spouse is getting taken care of and pampered," she said. "It helps to alleviate stress, and it helps to know if their spouse has a problem, they have someone to reach out to. We, as a joint service, care about our spouses."
For more information on the event or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Master Sgt. Dawn Chapman at 764-3990 or dawn.chapman@langley.af.mil, or Master Sgt. Dawn Moninger at dawn.moninger@langley.af.mil.