LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Massages, manicures, music and molten chocolate streaming from a fountain -- free -- for one night only -- for military spouses.
The first-ever "Evening Among the Stars" joint military spouse event is scheduled for May 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn ballroom in Hampton.
The event, which will have more than 30 vendors on hand to help pamper military spouses, began at the Langley Airman and Family Readiness Center and was modeled after a similar event at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
"Langley's a big base with a high operations tempo," said Tech. Sgt. Le'Trecia Williams, Langley Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness noncommissioned officer in charge. "And we wanted to do something for the spouses to show our appreciation for all they do -- not only for their families, but for the Air Force."
Sergeant Williams said the event has turned into something much bigger than she and the A&FRC had originally anticipated.
"We started without any money, wondering 'where are we going to get chairs?'," she said.
After a couple of phone calls to vendors and local military family support centers, the event turned into a joint-service "spa day," at the Holiday Inn.
"I've actually had to turn vendors away because of the limited space we have," said Sergeant Williams.
One thing in particular that stands out to Sergeant Williams is the fact that the majority of vendors, or small business owners, are also military spouses.
"It's a great example of how we take care of our own," said Sergeant Williams.
A number of outside agencies, including restaurants and spas, have also shown their support by donating to the event.
Outback Steakhouse will provide 200 dinners, which will take place before the event, with each service receiving 50 dinners. Langley spouses of deployed servicemembers will receive priority for the dinner tickets.
Following dinner, spouses can receive free chair and hand massages from Salter's Key Retreat and students from Everest Institute, formerly known as Key Business College, while listening to the music from the Air Combat Command Heritage of America Band.
Donna Fulk, manager of Salter's Creek Retreat and military spouse, said the event provided a great opportunity support servicemembers and their families.
"I'm a military spouse and several of my employees are affiliated with the military," said Ms. Fulk. "We felt it was a great way to take care of military spouses.
Although there will be a number of giveaways and door prizes, the event serves a secondary purpose: education.
"We want spouses to be aware of all of the programs that are available to them," said Sergeant Williams. She explained that many times, the information may not necessarily reach the spouse.
Base agencies attending the event include the A&FRC, family advocacy, the Red Cross and the spouses' clubs, to name a few.
The event is free and open to all military spouses. For more information, call the A&FRC at 764-3990.
For a complete list of vendors, click
here.