The crack of pool balls and relaxed laughter filled the bar at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Club aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on Jan. 15, 2013. A hanging light seemed to isolate two ladies, spouses of military members, sitting alone at the bar sharing a conversation and waiting, waiting to see if others would arrive.

The ladies were at the venue to participate in a monthly military spouse appreciation event, hosted at The Clubs at Quantico.

“[This event is designed to] get [military spouses] together and thank them for what they do,” said Stephanie Taber, Marine Corps Installation National Capital Region family readiness officer and a 19-year military spouse. “[We also want] to get spouses out, talking and meeting each other.”

Although U.S. military bases worldwide honor military spouses annually on the last Friday before Mother’s Day, Marine Corps Base Quantico has taken the task of honoring the role of being a military spouse one step further.

“Sgt. Maj. [Laura] Brown [the previous base sergeant major] started having this on Wednesdays,” said Ivette Bennett, Marine Corps Family Team Building Life Skills trainer and spouse for more than 25 years. “You can eat, have a glass of wine, have some hors d’oeuvres, and meet and mingle.”

According to the ladies, the monthly meetings meet important needs for the spouses.

“The Marine Corps is a family I think it’s important to build that relationship,” said Taber. “Sometimes you have to go out of your way a little bit to do that.”

Bennett agreed and added a word of concern.

Camaraderie is important among the spouses and the appreciation events provide a place where they can relate and gather for conversation and fun, said Bennett.

Bennett added, “I don’t know how much longer they are going to continue to do this because they haven’t had much participation.”

Taber encourages spouses to provide feedback on what would interest them and what would draw them to participate in this type of event.

“We are looking at this program as a whole to see how we can make it more successful,” said Taber. “It’s important to build community, so we would love to have feedback.”

Taber said the best way to leave suggestions would be to contact her at 703-634-2765, or stephanie.taber@usmc.mil.

Those interested in attending a spouse appreciation event can get more information by contacting Taber or reviewing the Clubs at Quantico calendar of events at www.quantico.usmc-mccs.org.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil