Willow Grove named best family readiness program Published Feb. 21, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 913th Airlift Wing, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa., received the 2006 Reserve Family Readiness award during a ceremony in Washington Feb. 16. Terry Jarrell, 913th family readiness director, and Master Sgt. Bernadette Tate-Dunlap, family readiness superintendent, accepted the Department of Defense award. Joining them were Col. Reinhard L. Schmidt, 913th AW commander; Col. Ellie F. Nix, 913 th Mission Support Group commander; and Brig. Gen. Charles D. "Rick" Etheridge, deputy to the chief of Air Force Reserve and a former 913th AW commander. "We're elated," Sergeant Tate-Dunlap said of the unit's reaction to receiving the award. "We worked so hard all year to take care of reservists and their families ... this is wonderful." The unit received acclaim for several programs, including its "Hearts Apart" support group, which provided information, comfort and camaraderie to immediate and extended family members after more than 300 of Willow Grove's 1,100 reservists deployed. Thomas F. Hall, assistant defense secretary for reserve affairs, presented the award at the end of the 2007 Family Readiness Summit. Mr. Hall stressed the importance of families in the careers and lives of reservists. "Without a family that is satisfied ... more than likely, service is not possible," he said. "The family has to be on board. When a servicemember is deployed, the last thing they need to be worrying about is problems at home." This was the second time the Air Force Reserve Command unit has won the award. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)