Families of deployed enjoy special event Published Sept. 26, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. William Farrow 354th Fighter Wing public affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A large contingent of the Iceman Team is currently deployed during this Air Expeditionary Force cycle and the Eielson Airman and Family Readiness Center personnel went into action hosting their first Hearts Apart Deployed Family social Friday at the Eielson Community Center. According to Master Sgt. Dan Garncarz, Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO, more than 120 spouses and children of Eielson's deployed personnel were served a spaghetti dinner during the monthly event. He said the event is set up for families of deployed members to give them opportunities to "get out of the house and build friendships" with other deployed families. As families arrived at the community center, the AFRC staff took a family photo that they printed out and on a pillow case for the family to send off to the deployed member, a gesture many attendees said they greatly appreciated. "I thought the pillowcase idea was great, but the best thing about the social is just giving us a forum to get to know each other during the time our spouses are deployed," said Misty Gott, wife of Tech. Sgt. John Gott, who deployed to Iraq last week. "Just having a feeling of community among us helps, and I think the friendships we forge while talking over dinner goes a long way," she said. Sergeant Garncarz said events like this are made possible thru Combined Federal Campaign donations made to the Eielson Family Services and other local agencies. Sergeant Garncarz said other crucial players in the event were the Eielson Community Center personnel and Two Seasons Dining Facility personnel. "The event was a huge success and really appreciated by the families," he said. The next social is scheduled for Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m. at the Joint Mobility Center. For more information, call Airman and Family Readiness Center at 377-2178.