Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. -- Spouses participated in Jane Wayne Day aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, to sample a day in the life of their active duty Marine Corps and Army service members and loved ones, Oct. 17.
“It’s a lot of fun to be able to do things that most people can’t. After all, how many chances to you get to fire an M-16A4?” said Sarah Koeppe, Special Projects Director at Baker Valley Unified School District and wife to Sgt. William Koeppe, Career Planner, Headquarters Battalion, MCLB, Barstow.
The military spouses participated in several events throughout the day, to include a K-9 demonstration, scaling the newly built obstacle course, firing pistols and rifles at the range, observing a demonstration at the test track, and a railway demonstration.
“I always see what Marines do, but never realize just how difficult it can be to, say, run an obstacle course, or hit a target. I get home from JWD with even more respect for what Marines do,” stated Miriam Hemme, Public Affairs volunteer and wife to Capt. William Hemme, Operations Officer at Fleet Support Division, Barstow.
Hemme also received the “Gung Ho Award,” by group applause, for her enthusiastic participation in the JWD events, which included her wearing a helmet equipped with a GoPro camera to document the activities. She later enjoyed sharing the video clips and reliving the events in high definition with her husband, family members and friends.
“I enjoyed sharing the experiences with the other spouses the most,” said Hemme.
Julie Wilbanks, the Marine Corps Family and Team Building Director for MCLB, Barstow, and the Family Readiness Officer, who worked with military and civilians alike in planning Jane Wayne Day, emphasized the importance of bonding with other spouses.
“The camaraderie for spouses is important. It’s a chance to see part of what their husbands do while serving on active duty. They get to be involved and it’s fun to watch them interact,” said Wilbanks.
“I love being involved in the camaraderie of the spouses and our active duty members,” explained Koeppe. “I think some spouses are afraid to try (JWD) because they think they will look silly or they won’t know anyone, but everyone is so supportive and I feel like it brings our community a little closer.”
For Kristina Waddell, a writer and homemaker, and wife to Sgt. Steven Waddell, platoon sergeant at FSD, there was a lingering sense of ‘accomplishment and delight’ to find that she was able to do more than she realized she could.
“Wow, it’s over … I’m kind of awesome now,” she reminisced.
She even took away new ideas for a hobby she could enjoy bonding over with her husband.
“(We will be) refining my new found ability to shoot a gun,” stated Waddell.
“(JWD) brings me closer to my spouse when I see firsthand some of the things he does,” said Koeppe,. “Before (JWD) I had no idea what he meant when he said, ‘I had to pull pits at the range today,’ now I know …” she explained.
Many of the spouses reflected similar sentiments when it came to advice they would offer other spouses, such as: try something new; learn a new skill; spend time getting to know someone new; have fun; remain flexible.
“Semper Gumby … Always Flexible,” said Hemme.