Airmen inspire, heal at first Storytellers event Published July 25, 2012 By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Editors note: This article is the first in a seven-part series exploring the lives of six Airmen at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The Airmen shared their challenges and experiences with the Incirlik community in an effort to inspire, encourage, and build camaraderie and understanding among Airmen and their family members. "I was a thousand miles away, and there wasn't a thing I could do for my family." "I was dealing with the loss of my friends." "I knew then that I had to make a change, for my health and for my children." Sound familiar? Stories of family separations, deployments, hard times and triumphs are common themes among military members and their families. While these tales are sometimes only shared with those closest to service members, six Airmen and one spouse shared their stories at the first Storytellers event here July 19 in hopes of healing and letting others know they are not alone. The Storytellers concept is the brainchild of several members of the Incirlik Toastmasters Club developed in response to Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy's open-ended question: Every Airman has a story. What's yours? "We all might talk to each other, but we don't really go into detail and talk about our lives," said Staff Sgt. Jacinta Puryear, the master of ceremonies for the event. "That's what Storytellers is about - really getting to know each other beyond hi and bye." Candlelight beamed on Incirlik residents' expressions as six peers shared stories of emotional battles, post-traumatic stress disorder, losing family members to civil war and beginning a new life. From war stories to the untold account of the military spouse, there was something for attendees to relate to in every life story. Throughout the event, the Storytellers' words evoked laughter, pain, heartache and sometimes tears throughout the audience. From an explosives ordnance technican shifting his motivational perspective to a military spouse struggling through weight issues to a security forces squadron flight chief dealing with the death of his Airman, the Storytellers event offered a gripping introduction into the lives of these six Airmen brave enough to face their peers and relay what challenges they've endured. The organizers of the event plan to hold several other events to give additional Incirlik community members the opportunity to share their stories. This series will highlight the first six Storytellers participants.