Enlisted Spouses Club petitions for more members

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jamal Sutter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  When military members deploy, it can be difficult for spouses and families who are often left behind; however, there is a Misawa organization dedicated to alleviating much of that stress.

The Misawa Enlisted Spouses Club is an organization dedicated to filling the voids by bringing the Misawa community closer together through social events and gatherings, said Leigha Wachs, MESC vice president. With tours of the local area, shopping trips and cultural exchanges, the MESC creates a networking environment where members can meet new people and share interests.

"It's difficult being away from family and being overseas," Mrs. Wachs said. "So we just want to get together, socialize and see what we can do for our community."

The club supports the community through various contributions such as the MESC tuition assistance scholarship, funds requests and donations to the annual awards banquet and Misawa football league. The club also helps post coupons at the Commissary and assists the Misawa Officer's Spouses Club in volunteering at the thrift store on base.

The MESC is open to enlisted military families from all branches of service and department of defense civilian families up to the equivalent of GS-8.

With representation from all three branches of military here at Misawa, the club produces unique opportunities for members to broaden their knowledge on the other services, said Erin Hoefer, MESC marketing coordinator.

"For me it's very interesting because I'm actually a Navy spouse," Mrs. Hoefer said. "This spouses club is inclusive of all branches, and that is a wonderful thing. I'm learning more about the different branches, and it's interesting to see the different ways the branches do things."

In addition to meeting families of different services, members are exposed to people of different cultures and nationalities.

Having been stationed here for only a short time, Mrs. Wachs was able to make many Japanese friends through the club's engagements with the local community, she said. She has also picked up on some Japanese phrases and found out about places in town to eat and visit.

Earlier this month, the MESC hosted a drive that brought in many new club members. The club currently has 49 members, which is a big jump from only having six members a half-year ago. Much of the gain was due to the advertisement by club members and the support of Chief Master Sgt. Russell Hastings, 35th Fighter Wing command chief, who also assisted in getting the word out, Mrs. Wachs said. Even with the recent surge in membership, the club encourages more families to join.

"We would love to see more of our international and local spouses join us and come hand-in-hand with the American spouses so we can do more for the community," Mrs. Hoefer said.

The MESC is sure to have something in store for anyone who would like to join, Mrs. Hoefer explained.

"I feel that the spouses who would join our club would get a sense of companionship, camaraderie and support," she said. "When you're on a foreign base such as this, this is basically all you have. You have your family and the other enlisted families who are going through the exact same things you're going through. You can find that you're not alone."

The club meets every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Tower 212. Information on joining the MESC can be found on the commander's access channel, through the Misawa Air Base homepage and at www.misawaesc.org.