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International spouses dine at Waverly |
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Friday, 02 October 2009 |
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By Davida Hill-Beckum
Daily Times Leader
Linda Gates, of East Mississippi Community College's and Leslie Watkins, wife of Col. Roger Watkins of Columbus Air Force Base entertained the International Spouses of Columbus Air Force Base Oct. 1 at Waverly.
Gates, government liaison at EMCC, welcomed the spouses to West Point for their sixth annual luncheon and asking them to make themselves comfortable.
“It is such a pleasure to each of you,” Gates said. “We are meeting in a very elegant place, but this is a very casual event. Please make yourselves at home, wherever home may be.”
Natives of more than 20 countries were present, some having very diverse backgrounds.Beth Gillian, who has been in the Golden Triangle less than a year, says she is from the Philippines, but most recently lived in Japan for 23 years.
“I guess that makes me a really good cook,” Gillian said. “You are all invited over for dinner.”
The group of approximately 70 was joined by EMCC President Rick Young and also former United States Diplomat Jo Shoemake.
“I am not an international spouse,”Shoemake said, “but I am definitely enjoying the fellowship. I want to thank you for allowing me to crash the party.”
Shoemake, who has served in seven countries, says she loved her work overseas but was very happy to return to Mississippi.
“I have traveled world and met a lot of interesting people,” Shoemake said. “But there is no place like home. I feel privileged to welcome these ladies to my home and for given me the opportunity to practice my Spanish again.”
Jackie Newton, director of EMCC's CAFB branch, says this is only her third year to attend the luncheon but feels that it is very important it continues each year.
“This is a great opportunity for these women to get out and interact with other people,” Newton said. “A lot of them are very far from home. These gatherings help them to feel like part of the community, which they are.”
The International Spouses Appreciation Luncheon was organized in 2003 by Sarah Schmidt, wife of a former wing commander with the CAFB.
“We started six years ago because Schmidt saw the need,” Gates said. “She wanted to give these ladies mix and mingle and to give the community the opportunity to show them the appreciation they deserve. It often falls on these ladies to hold their families together while their husbands defend our freedoms. We want to thank them for that. We want to make them feel special. These women along with their husbands are the future military leaders.”
During the closing remarks, Watkins labeled the ladies as teachers and students alike.
“You ladies have learned so many things since being in Mississippi,” Watkins said. “Some of you had to learn a different language. Some of you had to learn to drive. By having the courage to learn these things you have taught American women how not to be resistant to change. I respect your diversity and your cultures, and I ask that each of you continue to be the models that you are.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 05 October 2009 )
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