48th Brigade families came together from all over Georgia to have fun and support one another Saturday during their fall festival, Pumpkin Palooza.
Sarah Buwa and her 14-month-old son, Thomas, traveled from Valdosta to Macon to spend time with other families they have something in common with.
"This is our first deployment, so we're all kinda new to the process," said Buwa, whose husband is serving in Afghanistan. "We're kind of our own little family while our husbands are deployed."
Forming a unit Buwa says helped her survive her family's separation.
"I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for the other wives who have already been through deployments," she said.
Jody Webb helped put together the Macon unit's Pumpkin Palooza. Her son's serving in Afghanistan. She says family readiness events allow 48th families to celebrate the work of their soldiers and comfort one another.
"We're all basically in the same boat, we miss our loved ones and it gives us a chance to be together," said Webb.
Ryan Logan with the Central Georgia chapter of the Red Cross says the organization received an $80,000 grant to provide services to military families. He says part of that money helped put on Saturday's fall festival. The Red Cross will use separate funds for three special homecoming events when the brigade returns.
"This is one of the events that we've got planned throughout the entire deployment of the 48th to really tend to the business of the families and make sure that they're cared for and that we do fun things to keep their morale boosted while their families are deployed," said Logan.
Children got a chance to play games, play on inflatables, have their faces painted and participate in the Georgia CHIP Child Identification Program.
Chasidy Stewart's entire family came out to the event, including her husband, who is wrapping up the last few days of his leave. For Stewart staying close with loved ones helps her get by even while her husband is far away.
"You know if you have a strong family then it helps you a lot," she said.
That's a thought Buwa shares, and one that will keep her and other 48th families together while their soldiers serve the country overseas.
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