Santa Claus greets children during the Hearts Apart deployed spouse dinner at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 4, 2012. The dinner was part of the Hearts Apart program which offers spouses of deployed, temporary duty assignment, or remote tour military members a chance to relax and connect with other families going through the same experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
The son of a deployed Air Commando scarfs down spaghetti during the Hearts Apart deployed spouse dinner at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 4, 2012. The dinner was part of the Hearts Apart program which offers spouses of deployed, temporary duty assignment, or remote tour military members a chance to relax and connect with other families going through the same experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
The son of a deployed Air Commando, eats dinner with his mother and grandparents during the Hearts Apart deployed spouse dinner at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 4, 2012. The dinner was part of the Hearts Apart program which offers spouses of deployed, temporary duty assignment, or remote tour military members a chance to relax and connect with other families going through the same experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rebecca Elorza, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, serves food during the Hearts Apart deployed spouse dinner at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 4, 2012. The dinner was part of the Hearts Apart program which offers spouses of deployed, temporary duty assignment, or remote tour military members a chance to relax and connect with other families going through the same experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
Santa Claus hands a gift to a child during the Hearts Apart deployed spouse dinner at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 4, 2012. The dinner was part of the Hearts Apart program which offers spouses of deployed, temporary duty assignment, or remote tour military members a chance to relax and connect with other families going through the same experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)
by Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
12/6/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Pecos Trail Dining Facility echoed with laughter as more than 100 spouses and their family members attended the Hearts Apart deployed spouses meal at Cannon Air Force Base N.M., Dec. 3.
Spouses of deployed Air Commandos and their children enjoyed a free meal courtesy of the Airman & Family Readiness Center as part of the Hearts Apart program, designed to help families going through the difficulties of being separated from a family member for extended periods of time.
Each month, Hearts Apart hosts an event for the families of deployed members allowing them to relax and enjoy a night of free food and fun in the company of others experiencing similar hardships.
With the holidays right around the corner, this month's event was dedicated to spreading joy. Santa made an appearance after dinner was served and received children's requests for presents.
