Key Spouses vital to surviving deployment Published Jan. 9, 2007 By Janet Taylor-Birkey 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- She doesn't have children to fill her time while her husband is deployed, but don't be fooled: Betsy Matthies is one busy woman. While her husband, Airman 1st Class Dan Matthies, Cannon Fire Department, is deployed to Southeast Asia for four months, she fills her time with a variety of activities. "I work full-time. I go to school full-time online. I'm a key spouse and I like to hang out with the other wives," said Mrs. Matthies. "It [staying busy] makes time go by fast: stay very busy." Mrs. Matthies said the most frightening thing to happen to her while her husband has been deployed is her dog having a seizure. While the veterinarian assured Mrs. Matthies this is not unusual for a dog, it didn't make the event any less terrifying. There are also the run-of-the-mill, everyday life situations to be dealt with, such as lawn mowers not starting. "During the last deployment, my mower wouldn't start, so I got a warning," said Mrs. Matthies. Although not funny at the time, she now laughs, able to find the humor in the situation. "It was the first use of the year and it [the lawn mower] wouldn't start." Her answer was to call the Cannon Key Spouses Club, who mowed her lawn. "[Key spouses] can help out a lot," said Mrs. Matthies. "Anything [ranging] from if someone is giving them trouble on base, or if they need something." She said allowing key spouses to help is very important when you are alone, and they can help with the stress level most stateside spouses feel during a deployment. "If you get stressed out, talk to somebody, because that stress can linger with you for awhile." For more information about becoming a key spouse, contact the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at 784-4228. For help dealing with the stress of a deployment, contact the Life Skills department at the clinic at 784-1108.