Bethel Baptist Church plans a Night Out for military moms and children

Date published: 9/10/2007

By CATHY DYSON

Members of Bethel Baptist Church want to show their support for the troops by doing something special for their families.

The Stafford County church is planning a "Night Out" on Saturday.

Parents whose spouses are deployed can drop their children off at the church and enjoy an evening to themselves. Meanwhile, their children will get dinner and a movie, play games and make crafts to send to their parents overseas.

"We love the troops, we do a great job of supporting the troops, but at the same time, these soldiers have families who are the backbone of the unit," said Pastor Jim Davidson. "If soldiers know their families are being taken care of, that's one less worry."

Davidson initially called the event a ladies night, but said it's open to anyone with a deployed spouse. He's an Army chaplain with the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Fredericksburg, but stressed the event is for all military families.

Sonia Quiles is looking forward to the break. She's an active member of the 116th's Family Readiness Group.

Even though she lives in northern Fauquier County, she'll drive to Fredericksburg to catch up with other "girls" in the group.

"It's nice to have the opportunity to go out to dinner or to a movie without having 'Mommy' being called a hundred times," she said.

Some of the mothers may go out together; others plan a shopping trip.

Quiles is thrilled the church is reaching out.

"This is the first kind of event that I'm aware of," she said. "And the chaplain, he's been just wonderful. He's always there for us."

Maybe it's because Davidson has been on both sides. He spent almost a year in Iraq in 2004 and realized how little support his family had back home.

Readiness groups were great, he said, but many National Guard members lived far from the base from which they deployed--and their families didn't attend group meetings.

Davidson is trying to fill in some of the gaps. About 30 members of his congregation have volunteered to help with the event, which may become a regular ministry if there's a good turnout.

A big supporter is Tracy Sullins, whose husband, David, is a naval commander who deploys for two to nine months at a time.

"If you can get just one night out, it really helps," she said. "And it's a tremendous morale boost to know your community is behind what your husband is doing."

WHAT: Night Out for military parents whose spouses are deployed WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Bethel Baptist Church, 1193 White Oak Road, Stafford INFORMATION: Call the church at 540/371-3650.

Date published: 9/10/2007