Goodfellow couples learn, reconnect at retreat Published May 31, 2011 By Senior Airman Anne Gathua 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- More than 20 Goodfellow military couples had a chance to learn, reconnect and have fun at a free Couples Reintegration Training and Retreat held at Kerrville, Texas, May 13-15. The retreat was geared to provide servicemembers and their families opportunities to improve their relationships by utilizing research-based, effective tools to help develop and enhance overall readiness and resiliency for them and their families. The couples engaged in discussions and learned from a variety of topics including reintegration tools for troops, communication styles in military communities, planning to manage emotional upsets, money styles, roles and responsibilities, and conflict resolution skills. "The couples were engaged as single participants in workgroups, one-on-one couple activities, group skits and feedback activities," said Ms. Pamela Flemions, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness technician. Col. Paul Bugenske, 17th Mission Support Group Commander, provided the opening remarks and thanked the Air Force for fully funding the marriage retreat. Lorin Neslony, who attended the retreat with her husband Capt. Timothy Neslony, 17th Training Support Squadron, said they decided to go to the retreat because they wanted to reconnect after a seven-month deployment. "We had a great time learning new tools to help our family and marriage," she added. "We also loved meeting other military families and knowing that they face the same struggles we do." Ms. Flemions said they got positive feedback from the attendees and added that the retreat was extremely important because it helped couples develop and review skills that will help improve and promote healthy and resilient marriages. "Attendance at the retreat provided couples an opportunity to dedicate time to specifically focus on maintaining a strong bond," she added. "It helps rekindle the flame and brings a new perspective and closeness. Relationships require work, but attending a couples retreat makes the work fun." Ms. Neslony said she would participate again and recommends the retreat to all military families. "I'm thankful to the organizers who went above and beyond to make it a wonderful experience," she added. "The AFRC staff are fabulous." Ms. Flemions said she hopes that more couples will show an interest in this program in the future, and that it will continue to be funded so that other couples can experience it as well. "We want to make sure couples have the skills they need to survive and stay together as a family," she added. For more information call AFRC at (325) 654-3893.
