Base network tends to needs of all families
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KANE'OHE — When 1st Sgt. Douglas Power deploys next month he'll be leaving behind his wife and their children, but he goes with confidence knowing they'll have all the support they need to resolve any problem in his absence.
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Power and 150 other members of the 3rd Radio Battalion (formerly the 1st Radio Battalion) are scheduled for deployment to Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. The battalion isn't sure of its final destination yet. Its job is to maintain an open line of communication across the battlefield.
First Sgt. Douglas Power, who will be deployed to the Middle East next month, holds his youngest children, Lily, 4, and Isaac, 5 months. His wife, Gretchen, sits behind them. The other children are, from left, daughters Hannah, 14, Emily 17, and Grace, 13, and son Zebulon, 16. Two other daughters attend college on the Mainland.
Power said that after 23 years in the Marine Corps, he has learned that when he's deployed, no matter how well he works to reduce possible problems, they still arise.
"The families are back home with the day-to-day grind and it never fails, it's Murphy's Law," Power said. "Everything that can go wrong will go wrong."
The help is available from three sources — the chaplain's office, the Family Support Center and the Key Volunteer Network, which is made up of spouses of Marines.
Power said his family has used every service available at least once, but the Navy Relief Society was a big help when he was away and his van broke down. The organization not only found a mechanic, he said, but also got the van to the base gate where it could be towed to the repair shop and provided an interest-free loan to pay for the repair.
"It's really comforting to know that they've got a helping hand, somebody to turn to," he said.
Power's wife, Gretchen, said that as a younger wife living off base, she didn't use the services much but she now takes advantage of them when she needs to.
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"Younger wives are leery to use the services," she said. "They're afraid it is going to affect their husband's career."
Military wives Melina Patton, left, and Janelle Kennedy coordinate the Key Volunteer Network at the Marine Corps base in Kane'ohe.
But she said she knows better and is especially grateful for the resources during an emergency. She said the Key Volunteer Network steered her to the American Red Cross when her father-in-law died and she needed to reach her husband, who was then in Korea.
The three resources work individually and together to provide services to the families all of the time. During deployment, the Key Volunteer Network also serves as a direct communication link with Marines who are away.
Key Volunteer coordinator Janelle Kennedy, whose husband will deploy with the 3rd Radio Battalion, said her participation with the group has made things easier.
The Key Volunteers are trained to help others, learning how to recognize stress and what resources are available at the Family Support Center. They also plan recreational activities.
"Sometimes we would go out and have a great time and other times we'd go out and, in the middle of laughing, one of us would break down and start crying because the emotion is right there at the surface," she said.
Now with her husband heading overseas, support is important because not only will she have to deal with separation but she'll also know that he may come under fire.
"I'm more at ease this time, and I don't know if it's because I've already had the experience ... or because I know I have a support group that's going to be with me," Kennedy said. "Part of it may be self-preservation."
A prayer group formed by the Key Volunteers and the chaplain's office was a comfort to Melinda Patton, whose husband will be deployed with the 3rd Radio Battalion. Some have prayed and others just share, but the meetings were a tremendous help, Patton said. The weekly meeting also included an update of the battalion's situation.
Lt. Col. Mark Aycock, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, said: "We call (the Marine Corps) a band of brothers but it's a much larger thing. It includes all the family members. And if I know that the Key Volunteers and the Family Service Center are taking care of ... family members ... back here, then that will allow the Marines up front to focus on their mission."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com. or 234-5266.
