Dinner with the Gang

So I mentioned to you that we had the opportunity to travel down to Charleston, SC to visit the set of Army Wivse. While we were there, we played host to the cast of as well as one of their co-executive producers and director. Over dinner one night in the Historic District, we spent nearly 5 hours sharing stories about our lives as military spouses, how they go about doing researching their roles, and how they plan on keeping the stories fresh, yet true to the real military family experience. It was an incredible evening.

We discussed everything from terrible (and some humorous) experiences with movers, the fear and anxiety we have when our husbands are deployed, today's wounded warrior issues and those of their caregivers, our resilient children to funny incidents over the years that could only happen to a military family. What impressed all of us was how they really listened and asked thoughtful questions. Everyone from the actors to the producer took copious notes and at the end of the evening, we had all traded information and left with promises to keep in touch.

I don't think any of us imagined they would spend that much time with us or that they would genuinely enjoy poring over the family photos we brought along. I know they had to be on set early the next day, but it wasn't until the clock started creeping toward midnight and the restaurant staff started leaving that we thought about parting ways. It was an amazing dinner and one none of us will soon forget.

After chatting with the other spouses who accompanied us on the trip, the impression we all got was that these were people who hold the military and military families in extremely high regard. Here are some pictures for you from the dinner.



Here's us at dinner with Kim Delaney and Brian McNamera



The author of Army Wives, Tanya Biank is on our Spouse Council. Here she is between Debbie and Brian McNamera.



When the producer and director left, we combined our two tables and stayed to chat with Kim, Brian and though you can't see her in this picture, Brigid Brannagh is there as well.



In this shot, you can see the video camera. Our videographer filmed footage of the dinner for a MOAA video that will soon debuted on our web site. So, even though you weren't there, you can listen in on the dinner conversation.

Check back in the next couple of days and I'll share pictures of our day on the set.