Spouses honored at appreciation luncheon Published May 28, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Megan Friedl 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Spouses are the backbone of many Scott Air Force Base Airmen. They support not only their military member, but also their unit and families. To show appreciation and gratitude, a Key Spouse Appreciation Luncheon was held May 19 at Scott. The Airman and Family Readiness Center, along with commanders and other Scott affiliated groups, helped to host and support the luncheon. The catered lunch was served to Key Spouse members. Key Spouses are spouses of military members who are trained to provide support to units and their families. Many also volunteer to mentor other spouses. "Key Spouses play a vital role," said Col. Kyle Kremer, 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander. "They are that shoulder when Airmen need it." After lunch, they listened to the keynote speaker, the wife of the highest ranking member at Scott Air Force Base, Ricki Selva. She was a graduate of the first female class of the Air Force Academy in 1980, but now serves as a civilian alongside her husband, Gen. Paul Selva, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command. Selva spoke on things that she said many spouses probably already knew, but thought would be important reminders. She emphasized that it's important to find peace, to make connections and to take time for yourself. Beth Bendele, Key Spouse Mentor who recently won the Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award, agreed with Selva on the importance of making sure we take time to care for ourselves. She echoed, "We need to take care of each other and our families." During the speech, Selva gave a metaphor for water to adaptation and being relentless. Referencing a quote by Arthur Golden, she said, "Water never waits. It changes shape and flows around things, and finds the secret paths no one else thought about ... There's no doubt it's the most versatile of the five elements." Selva believes that spouses are very resilient, much like the water element. She also noted that among all the many things that they do, they need to ensure to take time to do something for themselves. "It's about passion, or another word I like to use is soul fire," Selva said. "It's something that builds you up and you get completely lost in it." After Selva finished her speech, the wing commander and his wife, along with Chief Master Sgt. Wesley Matthias, 375th AMW Command Chief, presented roses to all of the spouses as a sign of their appreciation and gratitude for what they do.