Heartlink paves path for success Published Jan. 25, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jessica Keith 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Eight military spouses completed the day-long Heartlink orientation Jan. 25 at the base Event Center. Heartlink is a daylong orientation completed quarterly, which offers tools and information to help military spouses adjust to the military way of life, while providing a chance to socialize with other spouses. Col. Mark Damiano, 17th Training Wing Commander, expressed his belief that spouses can be vital to the careers of their military partners. "Heartlink is an exceptional program that allows us to help spouses start off on the right foot," he said. Representatives from the key spouses group, first sergeants, child development center, commissary and more than a dozen other organizations visited throughout the day to inform and explain how their individual programs work. Although the program is directed at new spouses, all military spouses are encouraged to attend. "Heartlink provides great information and is an amazing opportunity for bonding with other military spouses," said Wendy Medina, community readiness consultant. "As a spouse, I cannot overstate how helpful having other military spouses as friends has been. These are people who know what you're going through and are willing to listen." The first sergeants make it a point to be involved in the program. "Whenever a military member or spouse needs assistance, they can come to us for help," said Master Sgt. Christopher Norci, 17th Force Support Squadron first sergeant. "We give the spouses a list of first sergeants and contact information and encourage spouses to reach out and get to know their first sergeant." Abby Van Hecke, a new spouse, has been on base for three months and said she was surprised by how helpful the agencies are here. "The information I've learned in Heartlink and the openness of everyone involved has given me fresh hope for what life in the military will be like," she said. "I was unsure what it would be like and how we would be treated; this has been an incredible experience." Megan Mioduski, a new spouse, arrived here at the beginning of December and said she had no military experience at all before coming to Goodfellow. "I meant to make the best of it," Mioduski said. "Since I married my husband, I've learned what true patriotism is and through Heartlink I've learned ways I can be patriotic as well. I can serve my country in my own way and that makes me very proud to be a military spouse." For more information about Heartlink contact Wendy Medina at (325) 654-3893.
