Chapel offers marriage retreat to ease deployments Published Feb. 17, 2011 By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C -- The 4th Fighter Wing chapel is offering a unique program for couples seeking marital counseling, guidance or just good information to strengthen their union. A two-day, low cost marriage retreat sponsored by the base chapel is an additional resource to married couples here as a recent dramatic increase in deployments have swept across the base, said Chaplain (Capt.) John Von Alman, senior Protestant chaplain. "The primary benefit of the retreat is the strengthening of our active-duty military marriages," Chaplain Von Alman said. "Studies have shown that strong relationships contribute to the spiritual resiliency; improving quality of life, ability to cope with challenging situations, and providing emotional support during deployments/high operations tempo. Failed relationships are a significant factor in many suicides, and, conversely, strong relationships serve as a significant inner resource during times of stress, and help ward off suicidal ideations. Healthy relationships nurture high morale, and they tend to curtail destructive behaviors such as alcohol/substance abuse. Insurance studies have shown that healthy marriages lead to longer lives." The sessions are held at a hotel in Morehead City, N.C., where Chaplain (Capt.) Steven Richardson, of the Chaplain Corps Resource Division, Fort Jackson, S.C., instructs courses for part of the day. After the sessions, couples are able to spend time alone enjoying each other and the area. "It is a really great course for anyone wanting to strengthen their marriage or really just get back to the reason why they got married," said Staff Sgt. Ryan Belleau, assistant noncommissioned officer in charge of the base chapel. He and his wife, Chrissy, attended the retreat last year and credits it to helping them realize a few things in their marriage. "If nothing else, the retreat serves as a way to help couples stop focusing on the bills at home and money issues and remember what life was like when they were dating," Sergeant Belleau said. "It's really a good opportunity to learn how to strengthen your marriage, and it is wonderful to get away for the weekend," Chrissy said. "For the information and the accommodations you get, you really can't beat it." Couples wanting to participate are required to pay a $25 fee and will receive three meals, lodging and counseling sessions with an Air Force chaplain. The program, while instructed and facilitated by chapel personnel, is not religiously based. It is open to Airmen from any religious or spiritual background. "The information they give you is marriage and relationship based, not based on religion, so it really applies to anyone," Sergeant Belleau said. The next marriage retreat is scheduled for March 4 - 5. Couples interested in signing up can contact the base chapel at (919) 722-0315. Priority will be give to Airmen who have recently returned from a deployment or will be leaving soon.