REST Pillows

Mercy Nacpil, a volunteer at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, presses an iron-on photo to a REST pillow case on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., August 5, 2009. The iron she is using has to be 350 degrees Fahrenheit before it can transfer the photo to the pillow case. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

REST Pillows

Mercy Nacpil, a volunteer at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, finishes a REST pillow case on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., August 5, 2009. REST pillow cases can be made year round, more than 600 have been made since the beginning of this year. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

REST pillows provide good night’s sleep across world

Published Aug. 5, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- When a loved one is deployed for months at a time, one of the hardest things to deal with is not seeing their face before going to bed at night or when waking up in the morning. The Airman and Family Readiness Center here has a program to help combat the separation blues.

The Readiness Emergency Sleep Tool pillow program allows servicemembers and their families to place a digital photo on a pillowcase to keep with them while separated. Photos can also be placed on T-shirts.

"Anyone deploying or going on a remote assignment is eligible to receive a REST pillow," said Tech. Sgt. Andrea Schaub, 4th Force Support Squadron AFRC readiness. "The first pillowcase is free. If they would like more than one, we ask that they bring extra white pillowcases to aid in the replenishment of our supply."

Sergeant Schaub believes everyone can benefit from having a REST pillow.

"For significant others, it helps whether it be the first deployment or 10th, they all need to have some type of symbol of the deployed member," she said. "Deployed members themselves often also have one made to take with them to help remember their family back home."

But children benefit the most as it helps keep a connection to their deployed parent.

Mercy Nacpil, wife of a deployed Airman, placed photo T-shirts on stuffed animals for her daughters.

"It helps them out a lot," said Mrs. Nacpil. "It is a memory of them together. And, it's not like it is a (paper) picture that will get ruined."

Single Airmen have gotten creative with their complimentary pillows during deployments.
"The most memorable I have seen was a single guy who took a picture of his dog to take with him," said Sergeant Schaub. "Funny, but that is what he was going to miss."

Text can be put onto the pillowcases, said Sergeant Schaub. Phrases such as: "Sweet dreams," "Miss you," "Be back soon" and "Make it a great day" can help a family missing their loved one.

The REST pillow program operates on donations, and with more than 600 pillowcases made here since January, more donations are always welcome, said Sergeant Schaub. To help deployed Airmen and their families wake up to their loved ones, drop pillowcases off at the AFRC or call 722-1123.