2011 Heroes At Home

GlobeThe

Hosted by

the proud civilian publisher of

2011 Military Spouse Awards: Heroes at Home

It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce the third annual Heroes at Home Military Spouse Awards. I am Jim Connors, proud civilian publisher of The Globe and RotoVue newspapers which serve our Marines and sailors aboard Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station. Since 2002, Landmark Military Media has had the privilege of working with the public affairs offices at these installations to produce newspapers read by active-duty military and their families, military retirees and residents of our communities. Six years ago an-other military publication in our group, The Flagship, which serves the Naval stations in the Norfolk, Va. area, created the Heroes at Home event to honor military spouses. We gladly joined in this effort to recognize the service and sacrifice of the thousands who stand behind the scenes of our nation’s proud military. The past few years have been a huge success. We are excited to report that community enthusiasm has grown even stronger this year, and we expect to continue to honor military spouses for years to come.

The opportunity to work closely with the dedicated active-duty Marines of Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station each week, along with our civilian staff, many of whom are married to active-duty military, has given our team a unique perspective and appreciation of the required service these good citizens offer to our country. It is this appreciation “for all you do” that compelled us to bring this event here in Jacksonville. We hope this luncheon will convey to all our nominees in some small way, the gratitude we feel each day.

This event would not be possible without the strong support of the business community, local community volunteers, both military and civilian, our Jacksonville USO and The Globe and Rotovue team at Landmark military newspapers. We appreciate all the work done to make this event possible.

I would like to give a special thanks to our presenting sponsors: USA Discounters, United Concordia, Steven-son Automotive Group, Marine Federal Credit Union, Bradley Jewelers and Mount Olive College.

Our gift partners include R. A. Jeffreys Distributing Company, Bradley’s Jewelers, Collins and Maready Attorneys at Law, Fast Tan, Gunny’s Awards and Trophies, Jody and Sam Davis of Choice Realty, Mad Boar Restaurant, Holistic Massage, the Trolly Stop, Fantastic Sam’s, The Renaissance European Day Spa and many more.

I would also like to welcome and express my sincere gratitude for those military members and their spouses who are in attendance with us today, including event emcee Kim Kopka Ratcliff of WECT/WSFX Carolina in the Morning.

Your presence here today is a testament to the importance of military spouses and the incredible work they do.To all of the nominees, I wish to express my congratulations and thanks.

office1122 Henderson Dr., Jacksonville, N.C. 28540347-9624

PubliSHerJames M. Connors

event coordinAtorHeather Miller Gibson

MAnAging editorEna Sellers

editorSSarah AndersonAmy BinkleyRussell Varner

Heroes at Home disclaimer: Heroes at Home is published by Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C., a private enterprise not connected with the DoD or the U.S. Marine Corps. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including does not constitute endorsement of these products or services by the DoD, the U.S. Marine Corps, or Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C.Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C.

Group PublisherLandmark Military Newspapers of North CarolinaThe Globe, The RotoVue,NCcoast Comunications

2011

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Event and Luncheon hosted by:Landmark Military Media of North Carolina - A Subsidiary of the Virginian - Pilot Media Companies

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11 Kim RatcliffEmceeRatcliff returns as emcee for 4th annual Military Spouse Awards

30 angela melcheR

in every issue2 letteR fRom the publisheR

4 Judges

featured nominees8 AMbER DonAlDSon

AMAnDA PiEtRAngEloShEliA SchExnAyDER

page 32011 military spouse awards: heroes at home

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22 cRyStAl cAvAliER

26 kRiStin bAglEyRAchEl hAllAMbER RogERS

6 2011 nominees

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28 coRiE bElluccigAy thERESE lEilAni

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Deborah Fisher is the USO-NC Jacksonville Center’sdirector.“Providing morale, recreation and social services to the mili-

tary and their families is extremely gratifying.”“People always recognize the service of the military mem-

ber but I think the families sacrifice as much if not more. Theaccomplishments of the Heroes nominated are nothing short ofextraordinary and the fact they do all this with the added burdenof deployments, the strain of separations, is just amazing.”

Christina Scaglione is the director of Finance and Ad-ministration for the United Way of Onslow County and amilitary spouse.“I’m supporting my Marine so he can help protect the

country. I don’t know how the wives made it back in the daywithout the support we all have now from everyone.“However, a lot of the times (spouses) don’t get recognized

for the sacrifices they make. These nominees are so inspiringit makes me want to go out and change the world.”

Heather Miller Gibson is the advertising director andmilitary spouse awards event planner with Landmark MilitaryMedia of North Carolina, The Globe and RotoVue. Gibson alsovolunteers at the Finders Keepers thrift store where the proceedsbenefit programs offered by the OnslowWomen’s Center.She has been a military spouse since 1995 and has personally

experienced the trials and tribulations that make military spousesstrong, independent and dedicated women.

“I grew up in North Eastern Pennsylvania where we weren’tfamiliar with the military. Then I met a Marine. What can I say?I’ve been hooked ever since. I’m blessed to have worked with,lived by and become friends with the most amazing women overthe last 15 years. I’m very honored and proud to help plan theMilitary Spouse Awards for Eastern North Carolina.”

Jackie Barton is a senior regional sales and promotionsspecialist with the Beasley Broadcast Group and has won thepresidents club representing ENC within the Beasley organiza-tion for over 8 years. She is well known and respected across thecountry in the radio industry.“The Marine Corps brought our family to the Jacksonville

area to support my husband while he was (stationed here), butthe community of Jacksonville has made us stay and becomeactive supporters and business owners,” she said “The militaryhas taught our family to give back wherever we go, and I believebecause of that we continue to be blessed.”

Ellen Hough is a top realtor broker and owner with EXITIndependence Realty in Jacksonville, N.C. She has lived in theJacksonville area for the past 19 years and enjoys every minuteof her time with Joe, her retired military husband, and in On-slow County.“Back when my husband was deployed, we didn’t have

Skype, and we didn’t have e-mail. It was just snail mail andthe occasional phone call,” said Hough. “As a retired militaryspouse, and now a realtor here in Jacksonville, I really enjoyworking with military families I meet.”


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Honesty, integrity, initiative, citizen-ship, community and unselfishness: These are values

the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Camp Lejeune High School hopes to instill in their students – known as Cadets. Under the direction of Lt. Col. Joseph Valore (Ret.) and Mas-ter Gunnery Sgt. James Gardiner (Ret.), 98 Cadets – nearly a quarter of the student body – participated and gained skills and confidence to help them succeed.

Gardiner heads up the Color Guard, whose duties are to carry and present the National colors at events and ceremonies. They have placed second on three occasions, most recently at the Raider Chal-lenge held at nearby East Duplin HS. LHS swept the competition by placing either first or second in all other events such as armed duet and team exhibition drill (coached by Mrs. Anna Fyfe) and rifle.

The talented Team “A” Color Guard is unique in the fact that it is an all-female team. The Color Sergeant is Cadet Sergeant Victo-ria Smith and the National Color bearer is Cadet Sergeant Brigid De-Treux. The rifle bearers are Cadet Sergeant Anna Johansen and Cadet Corporal Kylee Paulhus. The Ca-dets practice before and after each school day, and it is not unusual for them to return home from events late into the evening.

“We are extremely proud of their effort. They practice on their own and are extremely dedicated,” said Gardiner “They are fine young women who are role models for the other Cadets in our Cadet Corps.”

Team “B” consists of Cadet 2nd Lieutenants Mac Hussey and Ryan Cruz, Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Samuel Brown, and Cadet Corporal Erick Moe.

“Team ‘B’ of our Color Guard is also very talented. We utilize them when we have multiple events scheduled or when the Team ‘A’ needs a break,” Gardiner remarked.

MGySgt. Gardiner joined the program in December of 2010 and was the assistant coach for football and track at LHS from 2010-2011. A former drill instructor and formal school instructor with just over 30 years of service to the Marine Corps, 19 deployments, 9 of which were combat, and having seen much of the world, he is an invalu-able asset and mentor to the young Cadets.

The MCJROTC program is about enrichment, confidence build-ing and showing the Cadets that they can achieve what they set their minds to.

“We are not recruiters,” Gar-diner said. “They have (many) opportunities and we encourage them to do their very best in school and achieve a good solid founda-tion of education to build their life on. More than anything else, we encourage them to achieve their

full potential.”The next event the

Color Guard will be on hand to present the colors will be today, May 12, at the Heroes at Home Awards Ban-quet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Color guard stands out in successful JROTC program

Story by Sarah anderSon • courteSy photo(L-R) Rifle bearer Anna Johansen, National Color bearer Victoria Smith, Organizational Color bearer Brigid DeTreux, and Rifle bearer Kylee Paulhus.

Congratulations to all ofthis year’s nominees!


My wife willingly helpsmany of her friends who

have husbands currently deployedwith anything they need” ... “Shenever complains and she is alwayswilling to listen to their problems(to) help them find a solution whileshe deals with her own. She alsohas been known to (be a) mentorto my junior Marines’wiveswhen they have questions or

need guidance.—Michael Pietrangelo, husband

Nominee

Shelia’s husband (was) ina motorcycle accident and

is still trying to recover from it.Shelia is currently taking care ofher husband and her family. Shestill lives everyday to the fullestand has never felt sorry for herselfand the situation she is in. Shehas also dropped everything tohelp me a few times. Shedeserves this award more

than anyone.— Ashley Patton, friend

Nominee Nominee

Amber has continued tosupport me, the Marine

Corps and our beloved countrythrough good and bad times. Ifyou were to meet this beautiful,smart, hard-working spouse youtoo would agree that if every

Marine had a wife like this, theywould never worry about the

homefront while they wereout here fighting for ourcountry and our freedom.

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This deployment Carter is on nowwill be the longest thus far which isone year. Nicole has opted to stay in

North Carolina during this deployment to takecare of their son, home and family pet rather

than come home. I was a single parent to Nicoleand was so thankful for my extended family Iam having a hard time grasping that she is nowa single parent without extended family nearher. I give her so much credit for her strengthas I know I would have a hard time not jumpingon the first plane home. I am so proud of mydaughter. It takes a special personto be a military spouse and I know I

could never do it.— Pam Clark, mother

Nominee

It would be a true honor andprivilege to see my wife

recognized for all the effortand support she has shown to my careerand the dedication and drive to ensureour family’s success in this challengingcareer and time for our military family.It is the daily things military spousesdo without question to keep the circle

of support going for our servicemembers and their families. I believeAbbey has exemplified this

trait unwaveringly for the past5 years and is a true friend to

those around her.— Aaron Bauman, husband

Nominee

This being her first deploymentas a Marine spouse, Monica

has performed in an exemplarymanner. Between shuffling the children to

their various activities and volunteering withinthe community, she is the glue that holds ourfamily together and someone that others canturn to in times of crisis. She is not only the

best wife and mother that I could ever imagine,but she is also a pillar in the community. Shehas been a rock for our family as well as othermilitary families. She is neverhesitant to volunteer her time or

advice to help others that may be inchallenging situations.

— Thomas Tait, husband

Nominee

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Despite the challenges of back to back deployments, she

never complains and takes on every challenge with a positive attitude. She always helps other spouses without asking for anything in return and she is always one of the first volunteers when people are looking for help. Shannon

continues to be one of the most positive and helping people for all those that

know her. She is a super-mom, a wonderful wife, and is well

deserving of recognition as a Hero at Home.— Frank K. Chawk III, husband

Nominee

Mandy currently serves as the 2nd Anglico Family

Readiness Officer. I believe that if she didn’t work she would continue to spend her days around

military families to voice their concerns. I know she loves her job,

and being able to help others who need assistance is the highlight of her day. She is my Hero and I am so proud of what she has accomplished

after all she has been through in the last few years.

— Gary Weller, husband

Nominee

I believe everyday for Eneida is challenging. She wakes up every morning

at 6am to get four kids ready for school and daycare. Afterwards, she goes to Coastal Carolina for classes. Next, she goes to work for the rest of the day. Finally, she picks up all

four children, serves dinner and prepares for the next day. This is

done everyday of the week. She made the Dean’s List and took care of our four children

while doing all of this.— Antonio Parker Jr., husband

Nominee

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This year’s emcee for the Heroes at Home event is a

familiar one. Kim Ratclliff, the daughter of retired Col. John Kopka and member of the “Carolina in the Morn-ing” show on WECT and WSFX, has been selected to emcee the event for the third straight year, an honor that she holds in high regard.

“Being the emcee for the Heroes at Home event is such an honor,” she said. “I have done this for the last three years and being asked to come back means a lot. This event helps keep me connected to my military upbringing ... I can’t help but be proud of being involved in an event like this.”

The military has been a big influence on Ratcliff for her entire life. She is very familiar with Camp Lejeune, as she attended Lejeune

High School and was mar-ried on base. Her father is a Vietnam veteran. She feels that, even today, her military upbringing continues to aid her in career.

“It means a lot to be close to a member of the military, especially with what I do,” she said. “I feel like I am a very disciplined person and I think that comes from my father’s personality and years in the military. I also have a sense that I need to do what I can to ‘serve’

my community. I thought about going into the military but decided to try to serve my own way. I think being a news anchor that helps deliver information is my calling. It makes me very proud to tell people my father is a retired Marine.”

Ratcliff knows just how hard it is to deal with the numerous deployments and the various challenges that accompany them. Ratcliff found keeping up with others who face the same problems as you is one of the keys to surviving the deployments.

“For people dealing with deployments, I would say try to keep in touch and become a member of your military family - by that I mean the other spouses in your bat-talion,” she said. “I think that really helps because you are with other people dealing with the same things you are.”

Kim Ratcliff returns as emcee for 4th annual Military Spouse Awards

Story by ruSSell Varner • courteSy photo

Valerie Morales is an unique individual. Inspired by

her Puerto Rican roots, the urban-tropical beats that influence her music and her fellow Marine wives, Morales comes off as both charismatic and caring, someone whom people would be honored to call their friend.

She has sung for thousands of fans and at numerous arenas, including Madison Square Garden, but singing at Heroes at Home has a special mean-ing to her.

“It’s (very) special for me to sing at this (event),” she said. “I’m a Marine wife and understand what it’s like to have your hus-band away. People say it’s hard, but you have no idea until you go through it … I admire any other woman

that’s standing behind and making sure everything’s good for the Marines.”

Morales, who was a TV personality in Puerto Rico uses her singing as an avenue to help escape the stress that comes with the deployments. Her signature vocal style is powerfully rhythmic and danceable. Not only is Morales is a full-time mother, but she is also enrolled in school and holds a full-time job apart from her singing career.

“You have to keep busy,” she said. “If you stay at home, it’ll be hard (to deal with the deploy-ments). I think instead of staying home, you can volunteer or help out. Just keep busy. Busy makes time pass.”

The always-smiling Morales added that faith and being positive are im-portant traits for military wives. Those were two of her biggest keys to dealing with the deployments of a loved one.

“It’s all very hard,” she said. “But you have to have faith that everything’s gonna be ok. If you start thinking negative, you won’t be focused. You have to know and be sure that they are coming home and doing their duty. If you have faith and have God in some aspect, then you can stay strong and make it through.”

Valerie Morales brings unique spin to the classic ‘military wife’

Story and photo by ruSSell Varner


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Congratulations 2011 MilitarySpouse Awards Nominees!


Before my husband deployed to Iraq for the second time, he and I went through a particularly rough patch in our relationship, and found ourselves fighting, literally, all the time. We fought about things that didn’t matter, but for some reason, neither of us were willing to let anything go. I remember mentioning this to another wife in passing, and how surprised I was that this build-up seemed harder than his first tour. I felt like I was at my wits end and worried about going into a deploy-ment in this state.

She simply smiled and said, “Let me give you a piece of advice, honey. If you want to get married to a Ma-rine, and stay that way, you’ve got to realize, you can’t make any major life decisions beginning six weeks before he deploys until six weeks after he gets back. If you do, it’ll drive you crazy, because both of you are out of your mind right now.”

That was the best advice I ever received, and truly one of the major reasons why my husband and I are still (happily) together. Which got me thinking about how many other pearls of wisdom are floating out there in our military wife commu-nity, waiting to be discovered. A few things to consider:

Get out of the houseWhen it comes to tips about

loving a service member, nearly ever wife agreed, that getting yourself moving and keeping yourself occu-pied were key. Marine wife Meghan Lee recommends, “Find a hobby, or something to invest yourself in, to keep busy while he’s deployed.”

Military wife Bobbi agrees. She used to hole herself up in the house

with her children whenever her husband was deployed. “Because my husband missed so many milestones already,” she explains, “I didn’t want him to miss things like going to the zoo for the first time.” But then she got a great piece of advice, “Go out and experience life! Life doesn’t stop because my spouse is deployed.” Once she finally got out and about, she reports, “It was sad that my husband missed those milestones too, but we’re a happier family and or kids aren’t missing out on the experiences.

Erica Ray, who’s been with her husband through three deployments also adds, “Try to find a job and keep as busy as possible, even if it’s just hanging out at the pool or going to church every weekend. Just make sure you have plans to get out of the house everyday.”

Check the attitude at the door

One of the best investments military wives can make to their happiness is getting on-board with the military lifestyle. As Army wife Stephanie Rickert explains, “The military is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. The needs of the Army always come first.” So try to look on the bright side and see the positives of this lifestyle. As Army wife-to-be Rachel Friedhoff explains, “Life, especially military life, is all about perspective. So make the best of it and enjoy the adventure.”

Chantal Arsnoe, a Marine wife, agrees remembering, “A great piece of advice I received was ‘Don’t involve your whole life around his career, do something for yourself.’ So every time we PCS, I make myself

a Top 10 list of things I want to do or places I want to go while we’re stationed there.” Previous lists she’s made have included sky-diving, glider plane riding and going on a shark dive, but she says “it can also be something simple, like going to the local zoo. It gets me out of the house, and helps me see this as my adventure too, not just his career.”

Another wife, Jamie-Lynn recalls some of the best advice she ever received, “was from an Army wife of 12 years. I had just found out where our first orders were and was not thrilled over the location. She looked at me and told me, ‘Bloom where you’re planted, baby doll.’ It’s stayed with me for a long time, always make the best of where you are. Bloom where you’re planted!”

Get the 411It may sound obvious, but most

of the wives emphasized how impor-tant it really is to make good friends and get involved in the community. When Jennifer Grier first told her former Marine father that she was marrying a Marine, he offered his support, but also a few suggestions. “He told me how difficult it would be. He said to be strong and make good friends, because the Marines and friends we’d make along the way would be very much a family to us and they’d often be the ones who got us through the hard times.”

Ray suggests getting involved with al local Family Readiness Program, “the network is great for support!” It also can keep you informed on some of the resources the military offers like the “J Al-lotment” otherwise known as the Savings Deposit Program into which

service members can contribute up to $10,000 while deployed to a combat zone and earn a guaranteed interest rate of 10 percent. “Put as much money into the account as possible,” Ray suggests. “It keeps you from spending it, and is great for when he comes home and wants that new car or motorcycle.”

According to Rebecca Selfridge, a Marine girlfriend, getting involved and informed has kept her sane. “While my boyfriend was deployed, I looked up as much information as I could about where he was and what he was doing. I found his unit’s website, I read and printed all the newsletters. I learned the Marine acronyms and terminology…it helped me feel both educated and connected. I don’t think it would have worked out if he just took off places and I just sat around clueless about where he was going and what he was doing.”

Grier chimes in with an impor-tant tip she learned at a L.I.N.K.S. session at Camp Lejeune, “the lady running the session said, ‘Military wives can’t be shy. Speak up.’ I know that probably sounds like such com-mon advice, but it comes back to me often, when I’m in a new place or around a group of people I don’t know.”

Don’t believe the hypeIn the military community, gossip

flies faster than C-17s and can be twice as deadly. We all know that ‘loose lips sink ships’ and that follow-ing Operational Security is a must for mission security, but many wives also caution about staying out of the personal gossip flying around back home and abroad.

“Never believe any of the rumors,” says Rickert. “Especially when it comes to when the troops are coming home. They’re always wrong.” Hamilton agrees saying “As for rumors, they’re just that – rumors. Nothing is ever official until it’s in writing, and even then it’s subject to change. As a general rule, I don’t count on anything until his boots hit the ground.”

Army-wife-to-be Rachel Fried-hoff agrees, saying “I learned the hard way not to listen to rumors. Listening to all the talk just made for an emotional roller coaster, so eventually we learned to just ignore the rumors.” To put it simply, says Ricker, “Never spread gossip. Ever. It just causes drama.”

Semper GumbyOf all the advice these women

had to offer, some of the best tips were often the simplest. Marine wife Jessica K. reports, “The best advice I’ve ever received about military life is ‘Semper Gumby,’ which translates to mean ‘Always Flexible.’ Life being married to a military member - and staying married - requires that you’re always flexible. Things change fast and often, and it’s absolutely essential that you, as a spouse, are able to roll with the punches as those changes affect your life too.”

Lee agrees advising, “Be flexible and patient! Nothing happens the way it’s supposed to, or when it’s supposed to, so learn to go with the flow” Friedhoff agrees saying, “My new motto is ‘Just go with it,’ or ‘Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.’ The Army is going to operate their way whether you like or not, so learn to be flexible.”

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Mrs. Heather Sekela, “She provided a great deal of

support to another military spouse battling with breast cancer by babysitting, driving and being

there for her emotionally.”MSgt Stephen Sekela, MARINE

Mrs. Melissa Greene, “A mother of two, she happily agreed to adopy two more children. She is constantly thinking of doing for others in hopes of bettering her family, the community and the long-distance relationship with me, her deployed husband.”

SSgt Christopher Greene, MARINE

Cpl. Jeremy Brooks, “Jeremy was not able to be with me when

our first child was born. It took a huge toll on him. I just think that is is going to be a cool story for him to tell his daughter

in the future. “Your Daddy is a Hero. He wasn’t there because he was

defending your freedom.”Mrs. Brittni Brooks, spouse

Mrs. Anna Meriwether, “This year we have been married 10 years

and due to deployments I have only been there for 3 out of our 10 anniversaries. I would be completely lost without her and her strength

during deployment. I could not imagine being able to go on any deployment without her support for both me and our 3 children.”

SSgt Jonathan Meriwether, MARINE

Mrs. Heather Lyman, “Heather personifies a Hero at Home, and proves that the hardest job in the Marine Corps is a spouse. Her ac-

tions, hardwork, dedication and love for our family drive me to be a better man, and member of the community.

Regardless if she receives this award or not, she will always be our

Lyman Family Hero!”WO Chad Lyman, MARINE

Mrs. Shannon McDonough Chawk, “Despite many challenges, Shannon continues to be one of the most posi-tive and helping people for all those

that know her. She is a super-mom, a wonderful wife, and is well deserving of recognition as a Hero at Home.”LtCol Frank Chawk, III, MARINE

Mrs. Rachel Hannah Hall,

“Shortly after leaving for deployment I rec’d a text saying that I left her a dead opossum in the backyard. The base game warden told her to

get a shovel and throw it in the trash. She said there’s no way I’m getting near it. This is comi-cal but we Marines forget the little extra events

that happen as soon as we leave. My wife is leader with a can-do attitude. However, when it comes to opossoms, she made sure someone

else could do the dirty work.”Raymond Hall III, MARINE

Mrs. Laurie Howard, “Laurie has had a tough year. She has had

several health complications resulting in sur-gery, medication and well over 150 doctor ap-pointments in the last year all while our 4 year old son’s health challenges continue. He also

had another surgery on March 14. This doesn’t stop Laurie. She still does what she loves -

Helping Others. I have the pleasure of being married to my Hero.”

SSgt Scott Howard, Sr., MARINE

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2011 Military Spouse Awards: Heroes at Home Page 17


As a mother of three young children, Heather

has continued with her higher education (currently working on

her Masters Degree), recently started working nearly full-time at a local real estate agency and has

taken care of the family during her spouse’s

numerous deployments.

— Steven Sekela, husband

Nominee

We arrived in Jacksonville in July ‘09

having just bought our first home. By August 2nd I was in Iraq. She had to do everything with the new house on her own, not to mention get our little girls in

school and get everything going ... She is extremely efficient and has endless energy. She is truly

remarkable.

— Jeff Stocker, husband

Nominee

She has taken the frustration and

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Stepping into the spotlightAnne-Marie Sweeney has never been a big

fan of the spotlight. She is more comfortable standing over the side than she is having all eyes on her. It’s going to take some time for her to get used to being front and center for everyone to see.

“It’s a little embarrassing,” she admit-ted. “I’m used to (my husband) being in the spotlight and me just being the family support system.”

To be fair, she has done much more than just be a support system. Since 2005, Sweeney has actively participated in the Key Volunteer Network, where she served as the key advisor for a battalion of more than 1,300 Marines and sailors that completed three deploy-ments and most of her work came while her husband was deployed. As a result of her direct oversight and interaction, the battalion was recognized by Lt. Gen John M. Paxton, the commanding general of II MEF, as having a Family Readiness Program that would later be used as the model for other units to follow. Today, she serves a member of the family

readiness team for II MEF Headquarters Group, supporting more than 3,000 Marines, sailors, and their families who are currently deployed. She played a key part in the design of the unit’s pre-deployment training packages and has recently taken over the unit’s Face-book page.

As her husband Col. Michael Sweeney put it, “The number of incidents where Anne-Ma-rie has made a difference in the lives of one of our family members and/or service member or too numerous to list.”

“It means a lot to me that my husband took the time to put me in the spotlight,” Anne-Ma-rie said. “I like to be behind the scenes (as) the silent partner. That’s how I refer to myself ... It’s very humbling (to be nominated) because there’s a lot of spouses who do some great things and to pick just one out… I mean, it’s an honor, but it’s very humbling as well.”

Whether Sweeney will get used to the spot-light or not is another story. For now, she just wants to make sure she is alright with being front and center for once.

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Proving a woman’s work is never doneFor those who say there are never

enough hours in a day, I present to you Crystal Cavalier. Over the past few years, she has been an integral volunteer with her husband’s unit Family Readiness Group, the National Military Family Association (whom she received the President’s Award from), Operation Purple, the chapter direc-tor of the Blue Star Families, Give to the Troops, Operation Homefront, the High-lands Chapter of the Red Cross, a loving mother to her family and just received her master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Friday.

And she says, for the most part, she doesn’t miss an ounce of sleep.

“I break down my time really well,” she said. “I’m a really good organizer and so I just make sure to have my time divided up between everything … On a regular day, things will just fall into place for me. I get lucky like that.”

Cavalier acknowledged that military wives are among the most strong and determinged people in the world, though many outside the military community don’t always notice it. Just being nominated for the Heroes at Home award was very special and unexpected for her.

“I think it’s a really awesome (honor),” she said. “(It) just kinda took me by surprise. My husband, my mom and one of my friends (all) nominated me for it. That’s pretty amazing.”

She hopes to help others see the strength of these military spouses one day by con-tinuing her hard work and volunteering for some time to come. She said that being a military wife has taught just how resilient people can be.

“Even though we go through all these hard stuff with our spouses being deployed, we’re a strong bunch of women and men and we can accomplish just about anything we set our minds to,” she said.

Story by ruSSell Varner • courteSy photo

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I have never met another women so unselfish, and

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during deployments.She is someone for me to

emmulate by her leadership and “can-do” attitude.

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Nominee

My wife is the glue that holds my family together.

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She rocks and I’m the luckiest man on the planet to be with her.I would be lost without

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— Jon Bagley, husband

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Milinda Rau, the wife of a Marine officer and mother of three children, has an unshake-able philosophy toward the military life and everything that comes with it.

“We aren’t just going to survive,” she said. “We’re going to thrive.”

Rau has garnered a reputation as a beam of support, often requested by name by gen-eral officers and senior commanders because of her thorough knowledge and passion for Marines and their families.

Since 2003, she has been actively working with Marine Corps Family Team Building operations, serving as a Key Volunteer Coo-ridinator, a Family Readiness Officer and, cur-rently, a Readiness and Deployments Support Trainer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

“I wouldn’t trade this life for anything,” she said. “We’ve been a Marine Corps family for 20 years.”

While her husband is serving his ninth deployment, Rau helps keep things running smoothly not only for her own family, but for other military spouses as well.

“It’s a different lifestyle,” she explained. “We speak a different language, live our own culture. We all adjust to whatever reality we live in, and this is ours.”

Rau lives by two main principles – com-mon sense and common courtesy.

“It doesn’t take extra time out of my day to help someone out,” Rau said. “It’s how you should live life. It’s not an option to not do anything.”

Soon, she will not only be a Marine’s wife, but also a Marine’s mother as her son plans to enlist after graduation. Her resolve will remain resolute as she recognizes her role in the defense of a nation through her willing sacrifice.

“If the family doesn’t support them, they can’t do what they need to do,” she said.

Rau’s husband, Lt. Col. Matthew Rau, nominated her while deployed in Afghani-stan. He understands and appreciates all his wife does not only for him but for many other Marines and their families.

“She is a hero on the home front,” he said.

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Congratulations 2011 Military Spouse Awards Nominees!

As a military spouse, mother,college student, volun-teer, and cancer survivor:“Every minute of my lifeis spoken for,” said Leilani

Muniz, with a laugh. She was nominatedby her husband, Chief Hospital CorpsmanEric Muniz Rivera, who is currently servingin Afghanistan.“My wife has one of the kindest hearts

you would ever meet. (She is) always lend-ing a helping hand to all those who needit, whether family or friends, she is alwaysthere to assist,” Rivera wrote.“I am very flattered (to be nominated)”

Leilani said. “My main mission has alwaysbeen to try to keep up the morale, andeverything else will fall into place.”The mission has proved to be exceeding-

ly difficult, between her battle with breastcancer and her husband’s latest deployment.“I'm very proud of her, for she has been

the solid foundation during my absence.(She is) now free of breast cancer.” herhusband writes.”My husband deployed a week after my

last (treatment)” she remarked. “Every dayis a good day as long as you can see thesun.”Working on base, Leilani meets many

troops and although their time in her officemay be short, she always tries to let themknow she cares by sending care packages.She also volunteers her time fundraising

with her son’s basketball team, the AAUEast Carolina All Stars. It is not rare forLeilani to open up their home to fellowmilitary families who need a place to stayand she recently assisted in finding a familymember a job and enroll in college.“I don’t mind helping others, at all. It

is something in my heart that I like to do.I rest easier knowing someone is okay andtaken care of.”As military families know first hand,

deployments can be especially challengingfor the children. With five children, Leilanihas learned to be there for her kids.“You have to talk to them and talk to

them every day,” she said. “Consistencyplays a vital role to them. Remind themthat you’re always here for them, and thateverything will be okay. Don’t stop doingthings as a family.”So how does Leilani hold it all together?

“Very carefully,” she stated. “You have toteach yourself how to stay focused. It isall about staying focused. But if you thinkstrong, you will be strong. It is a strengththat you just have to find and have. Hang inthere.”

Corie Bellucci is a team playerby nature. She is a leader,coach and partner by choice.Up at 5:30 a.m. every

morning, Bellucci makesbreakfast and continues nonstop throughoutthe day, doing everything from washinglaundry to completing school work to play-ing chauffeur to her six children.“I don’t know how she does it,” said

her husband, Gunnery Sgt. Gregg Bellucci,who is currently deployed in Afghanistan.“That’s more strength than I’ll ever have.”As if being a mother to half a dozen kids

isn’t work enough, Bellucci also works a full-time job, takes night classes and is attempt-ing to teach her 16-year-old to drive, allwhile dad is away. She is the assistant coachof a youth softball team and a team momfor all her children’s sports.Though her schedule stays full, Bellucci

wouldn’t change her life for anything.“I am honored to be a military wife,” she

said. “There’s so much pride in being mar-ried to a Marine.”According to her husband, Bellucci never

thinks twice about putting others’ needsbefore her own, including fellow militaryspouses, and she was completely surprisedto learn he had nominated for the award.

“I just thought, ‘Oh my God, he lovesme,’” she said. “Being nominated by him isbetter than receiving an award.”She takes her nomination in stride,

however, and believes looking out for othermilitary families is just part of her role.“When you marry a Marine, you marry

the Marine Corps,” she said. “We do whatwe have to. If we can make someone’s lifeeasier for one day, we will.”Though the Bellucci family is on their

ninth deployment, their bond and relation-ships are even stronger despite any chal-lenges they may face.“He’s my best friend,” she said. “You

know as a military spouse you’re going tobe a single parent sometimes, and it’s hard.But it’s all in your way of thinking. If you’repositive, it’ll be positive. You just try tomaintain the same lifestyle, and do life asnormal.”While he’s gone, Gunnery Sgt. Bellucci

is thankful to have his wife’s support evenfrom the other side of the world.“She’s always there for me whether I’m

(home) or deployed,” he said. “My wife ismy best friend. She is truly my hero.”

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2011 Heroes At Home

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Transcript of 2011 Heroes At Home