Hearts Apart hosts bowling night Published March 17, 2008 By Senior Airman Brian Butkus 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- Joint Total Force Scott's families of deployed servicemembers gathered at the Stars and Strikes Bowling Center for the Hearts Apart Family Bowling Night on Friday. The night's activities included two free games of bowling, free shoe rental, food and treats for all those in attendance. "Once a month members of the Hearts Apart program coordinate events like this not only give families an opportunity to get out of the house but also afford spouses the opportunity to interact with others going through the same experience as them," said Tech. Sgt Kristine Keyser, Scott Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO. The program is available to family members of all Scott Air Force Base employees who are either deployed or on a remote assignment. Many of the families that attended Friday's event are regulars to the Hearts Apart program. "I have been coming to the Hearts Apart monthly events since the first month of my husband's deployment," said Nicole Benjamin, wife of Master Sgt. Clarence Benjamin of the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. "The A&FRC is really a godsend to us while we cope with the time away from our spouses. If I ever have a question to ask, no matter what it is, it's like they tell us during their briefings; no question is too stupid to answer." Another advantage of family events like Friday's is the interaction between the children. "Many of the children that come to these events are too young to understand what a deployment is," said Sergeant Keyser. "They just know that their mommy or daddy is gone. By getting these kids together, we hope that some of them that may understand what their parents are doing and will explain to those who don't and in return help them cope with their temporary loss." In addition to events like this, the Heart's Apart program also offers other services for deployed spouses, such as morale calls three times per week using DSN phone lines. The next scheduled event for the Hearts Apart program is a Welcome Home Dinner on April 4.