High school teachers care for deployed Airmen and families

  • Published
  • By Jill Fuson
  • 48 FW Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Upon receiving a yellow delivery notification card in her base mailbox, Aileen Schriner wondered who sent her a package.

She picked up the package, noting a return address from Lakenheath High School. She double checked the package was addressed to her because she has no connection with the high school since her son is only 3 months old. When she got home, she sat in the middle of the living room floor, opened the package and was delighted to find a box full of pampering gifts. A note from the LHS teachers was enclosed, expressing their appreciation to the spouses of deployed warriors.

"I was very excited to receive this package and very grateful for the gifts. Each gift was individually wrapped," said Mrs. Schriner. "Spouses are also part of deployment when the military member is gone. It felt so wonderful to be recognized."

Recognizing the pressures of deployment during the holiday season, LHS teachers put together pampering boxes for the spouses and families of deployed Airmen from RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall.

More than 50 pampering boxes were sent, letting the spouses and families know how grateful the teachers are for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season.

"The Lakenheath High School faculty and staff thoroughly enjoyed working together with the military to provide support to the Lakenheath and Mildenhall communities," said Jamie Henshaw, LHS counselor. " We feel a connection with all community members and want to do our bit to help. It is the least we can do in support of our students, parents, those downrange and family members here."

Although many military families around the globe use the holidays as a time for family, friends and celebration, many families separated by deployments can only stay in touch through e-mail, care packages and phone calls. Each care package the spouses of deployed members received contained Christmas stockings and personal pampering items that could be enjoyed by the entire family.

In addition to the packages, LHS teachers also provided 100 minute phone calls, seasons greeting cards and stamps, making it easier for deployed members to send holiday messages home to family, friends and deployed loved ones.

At RAF Mildenhall, a lasagna dinner was hosted on Oct. 10 in honor of deployed family members. On Nov. 22 over 80 homemade pies were delivered to families. RAF Lakenheath's monthly deployed family dinner was Dec. 21 at the Knights Dining Facility.