2013 Heroes at Home

Honoring our unsung heroes for their strengths, many

sacrifices and commitment to our Hampton Roads community

Photos above courtesy of Department of Defense

WWW.FORTLEETRAVELLER.COM | WWW.MIL ITARYNEWS.COM | 2ND EDIT ION

MILITARYNEWSPAPERSOF VIRGINIA

www.fortleetraveller.com2 • FORT LEE HEROES AT HOME • May 16, 2013

Adair Wells – Founder of Heroes at Home and Sales Development Manager, for The Flagship and MNV

Stephanie Parker – Army Community Service Officer

Sue Hoppin – President and Founder, National Military Spouse Network

Susan Loden – Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator, Army Community Service

2013 committee included:

Military spouses by definition come from a world of various backgrounds. By our very label, we only have a seeming shred of a thread in common. What could seem more disassociated than our spouses job in com-mon? And more disconnected than that, our spouses’ jobs are all over the board. Some are in the air, some are on the water, some are on the ground. Some are in offices here in the states, some are in combat zones. All we seem to have in common is our spouses’ employer.

It’s strange when you think about it. What if articles were written about the spouses of employees at a certain Fortune 500 company? It’s really rather giggle worthy. What if fami-lies of a nationwide, publically traded com-pany lived together in little housing groups? What if we talked about Such and Such Cor-poration spouses as if they could all have the same struggles, the same issues, the same con-cerns?

And yet, by definition, that’s what connects us. Yet, when you talk to the five women list-ed in this section, these five finalists for the Fort Lee Heroes at Home, these five notewor-

thy military spouses, you will note that the thread that binds them is far stronger than a line on their spouses’ paycheck.

Sit down for just a few moments with each of them. Ask them where they’re from, ask them what they always wanted to be when they grow up, ask them about their child-hood. The answers will be as varied as they can be. Ask them about their last move, ask them about the last time they felt over-whelmed or stressed, ask them about what they care about. Ask them about what keeps them up at night, ask them what gets them up in the morning. The stories become eerily similar.

You’ll hear about pride and tradition. You’ll hear about separations and difficult decisions. You will hear about really full calendars and carefully planned schedules.

Ask for a little advice. That’s where it will get really interesting. From every background and every life, the advice for success as a mili-tary spouse is so similar.

They all talk about staying busy and pour-ing yourself into a cause, to distract yourself

from the frustration and loneliness. They talk about fleixibility and prerpation. They talk about staying positive and truly enjoying the adventures ahead. They mention the stresses military life puts on marriage, but also focus on not putting additional stress on marriage by blaming the service member. They all en-courage priority making and putting lots of attention on family time and personal time. And ironically, they all talk about their per-sonal passions and various interests.

We aren’t all the same people. We don’t come from the same place and we don’t all have the same experiences. But our journey is shared and our goals are the same. It all comes down to love – for each other, for our families, for our spouses. That’s the tie that binds.

Our Strength Together

With over 100 years of experience in personal injury law,Allen & Allen is here to protect your rights.

Call us for a free case evaluation.

106 S. Market Street | Petersburg, VA1.866.388.6413|www.allenandallen.com

>> pure coupe starting at $12,490* 38 MPG highway

New 2013 Mercedes-BenzSprinter Commercial Vans

smartcenterofrichmond.com

vasprinter.com

David R. McGeorge Car Company8225 West Broad Street

(804) 755-9300McGeorgeCarCo.com

Mercedes-Benz of Midlothian12200 Midlothian Turnpike

(804) 545-9600MBofMidlothian.com

uncar. unguzzle.

2013 C-Class SedanStarting at $35,350*

2013 GLK350Starting at $37,090*

2013 E-Class SedanStarting at $51,000*

*Excludes tax, title, $995 destination and $495 processing fees.

Showstoppers.

>> passion coupe starting at $14,980* 38 MPG highway

Starting at $34,820* / 20+ MPG



www.fortleetraveller.com May 16, 2013 • FORT LEE HEROES AT HOME • 3

Spouse of SFC Paul J Naccarato | NA-CA-RA-TOE | Instructor | PWD, R CO, 262nd QM, 23 BD

Tell us briefly about your background/experience as a military spouse. We have been married for 13 years. We have moved a total 10 times. We have gone through three deployments together, two with the Army and one with the Marines. My experience with the military has been a great one. I think we get to be reminded how amazing it is to have time with your loved ones in a way that most people who are not with the military will never understand.

How do you balance family/work/military life? I think that we work together well as a team. We (my family) all help each other make sure that we all are able to accomplish the different goals we want to reach and it is together that we are able to make it all work.

What do you do to support other military spouses/families? Through my volunteer work, I try to reach out and help as many people as I can. Be it through teaching AFTB or working with the EFMP or Gold

Star Mothers teaching line dancing. A little bit of time can go a very long way in helping another spouse or family.

Volunteer Service Highlights: I am a current volun-teer at ACS here on Fort Lee and work in many differ-ent areas there, mostly with the EFMP. I teach AFTB classes and have been a delegate at AFAP. I have been in every position in the FRG from Leader to Secretary. I won the Helping Hand Service award in 2003, and I am a member of the Order of Molly Pitcher 2011. I received the Presidential Volunteer Service Silver Award in 2013.

Words of Wisdom/Advice for Other Military Spouses: To put themselves out there. Volunteering is a great way to make friends who have common inter-ests and to network. Remember that the time in the Army can be as amazing as you choose to make it, so choose to make it a great experience.

Jessica Naccarato

FORT LEE’S

MILITARY SPOUSE OF THE YEAR

Visit us online at SRMConline.com.

From the staff at SRMC.Thank you.


Karen GrubeSpouse of CPT James (Jim) Grube | GROOB Aide de Camp to BG Daly, Commandant, US Army Ordnance School

Tell us briefly about your background/experience as a military spouse. My hus-band left for basic training shortly after we got married nine years ago. Since then, we’ve moved to six duty stations and experienced two year-long deployments. He’ll be leaving for a third deployment next month.

How do you balance family/work/military life? For me, balance comes from well-de-fined priorities. The more intentional I am about the things I commit to, the less un-necessary stress I add to my life. Therefore with each new season, I reassess my priori-ties. First I seek God since He is the one that has called me to this life in the military. And as I strive to be a strong wife and mother I must remember that any other voluntary roles are good, but secondary. The demands on a military spouse can be stressful, but when my priorities are clear I avoid saying “yes” to too many things when “no” might be the best answer for me and my family.

What do you do to support other military spouses/families? Most of us know first-hand that the military can be a lonely place if no one reaches out to you. I look for op-portunities to be friendly and helpful, espe-cially those new to the area. I’ve had many young wives over to the house to explain the simple (“What is a battalion?”) and the con-fusing (“How the heck do I PCS?”). Or I’ll meet someone at the playground and let her know about activities in the area and on post that might interest her family. When a mov-ing truck shows up on the street there are so

many ways to help whether a family is on its way in or its way out. Just last week, a neigh-bor borrowed our home for a few days dur-ing naptime since we all know movers can’t easily accommodate a tired toddler. Often, though, it’s the times when a friend is having a hectic day and her husband is TDY, and she has no family close-by – that’s when the military community is at its best. It’s easy to adopt a few extra kids for the afternoon to ease the burden. They’d do the same for me.

Volunteer Service Highlights: I am cur-rently serving on the Executive Board of the Protestant Women of the Chapel as the Programs Chair. Through them I facilitate a weekly Bible study and prior to that, I served on a few of their committees. This past year I have also been teaching Children’s Church for Chapel Next. Before our move to Fort Lee, I have been an FRG leader twice and am trained as an AFTB instructor.

Words of Wisdom/Advice for Other Mili-tary Spouses: Find someone who has been doing this longer than you, that you respect and has an optimistic outlook on life. Watch them and learn from them. Mentorship is something that we hear of often in the pro-fessional world, but it is just as important in the real-life world. When you surround yourself with wisdom and experience, you’ll have people in your life to challenge and en-courage you. I think most would agree that it’s the friendships that get you one from one PCS to the next. Choose those relationships wisely.

WE MAKESmilesHAPPENWE ARE COMMITTED TO A CAVITY-FREE GENERATION

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS OF VIRGINIA

DENTISTRY FOR THE CHILD, ADOLESCENT & HANDICAPPED• MEERA A. GOKLI, D.D.S.Graduating with honors from the University of Richmond, Dr. Gokli has continued to make significant achievements in her field. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and served as President of both the Virginia Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the Virginia Board of Dentistry. Dr. Gokli teaches at MCV/VCU and is a Board Member of Children’s Hospital.

• DAVID L. KEETON, D.M.D.Dr. David Keeton received his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from VCU. He then completed dental school at the University of Kentucky and fulfilled his pediatric dental residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and has hospital privileges at Children’s Hospital of Richmond. He is also active in several local and national dental associations.

• STEVEN R. LUBBE, D.M.D.Dr. Steve Lubbe has been in Pediatric Dentistry since he began working in his father’s dental practice at the age of 10. He attended Centre College before attending the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Dr. Lubbe feels very blessed to be working with young people and a great office staff.

ORTHODONTICS FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN• APRIL L. BRIDGES - POQUIS D.D.S.Dr. April Bridges-Poquis is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia and graduated 2nd in her class from the Medical College of Virginia’s School of Dentistry. She completed her post-graduate training in orthodontics at MCV and is a member of several professional dental and orthodontic associations

• CHAD SCHANILEC, D.D.S.Dr. Schanilec is a graduate of The University of Iowa College of Dentistry. After completing his postgraduate training in Orthodontics at MCV, he served as a full time professor. He is currently a member of several professional dental and orthodontic associations.

www.pdova.com

651 SOUTHPARK BLVD. • COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA 23834

804-526-9815Provider of Tri-Care/Retirees, United Concordia, Delta, Anthem & MetLife

ORTHODONTIC NEW PATIENT EXAMS AT NO CHARGE

CongratulationsTO THE 2013 HEROES AT HOME NOMINEES!


Raven Whitley GreenSpouse of SSG Timothy Green | GREEN | Instructor | PWD, 262nd QM, 23 BD

Tell us briefly about your background/experience as a military spouse. Ten years of marriage, four moves and one coming up this summer as well as three deployments.

How do you balance family/work/military life? I am a freelance writer and I am lucky to be able to work at home and have flexible hours. That is essential for me as a military spouse and special needs mom.

What do you do to support other military spouses/families? As a “MilSpouse,” mother, freelance writer and special needs advocate, my goal and passion is to bring awareness to military families, special needs and female writers. This is my opportunity to get my voice heard, to bring families together and make a change TODAY, this YEAR, for everyone. “Unite” is my 2013 word and I want to unite families and bloggers to use this great Internet/Social Media for GOOD and for changing lives and helping others.

Volunteer Service Highlights: I am the owner/writer at Ms. MommyHH6, focusing on moms! All moms, especially military moms and special needs moms. There is a weekly profile on a special mom. Product and book reviews are also a weekly staple. I am also the founder/group leader of MOSNAB: Moms of Special Needs Army Brats and the founder of Operation United Hearts (Blogger Group that raises funds for military emergencies in need).

Words of Wisdom/Advice for Other Military Spouses: Make your own path. Find a hobby, a ca-reer or do volunteer work. Your husband will deploy and be absent. You need your own identity, and you need to feel accomplished and fulfilled WHILE you support him. Make a difference in the commu-nity, be a role model for your children and leave the world a better place for them.

If you’re looking to save money on your car insurance, you have

landed in the right place. GEICO has been proudly helping Military

members save on their car insurance since 1936, and we’d love to do

the same for you. We offer low rates, convenient payment plans, top-

notch 24/7 customer service and a number of discounts designed for

our Military customers. Now is the time to drop into the Savings Zone.

Get a free quote from GEICO today.

HOTSAVINGSZONE

ACTIVE VETERANS GUARD RESERVE RETIRED

geico.com | 1-800-MILITARY | local offi ce

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2013. © 2013 GEICO


Katie Marie GuniaTell us briefly about your background/ex-perience as a military spouse. I have known my husband for the last eight amazing years. I became a military spouse July 31, 2010. We have been married three years in July and have moved two times from Army PCS. I have moved two additional times due to housing relocation to make a total of four moves in the last three years. Out of the eight years I have known my husband, he has spent three years deployed.

How do you balance family/work/military life? Balancing family, work and military life has had such a major impact on my life. I work full time as an administrative assistant on Fort Lee. I am a full-time graduate student and a full-time wife. Balancing our hectic work schedules with the military life makes it very difficult to see both sides of our family who all live in Michigan. We communicate through webcam and talk on the phone almost every day, but because it is about an 18-hour drive, we are unable to see them as often as we would like. Military life has become second nature in the last few years. I throw my husband a party and celebrate every year for the date of his enlistment. He has sacrificed so much for the military and to serve our country, it is the very least I am able to do to show my apprecia-tion as a wife. I ensure that my family’s needs are met as they are my first priority.

What do you do to support other military spouses/families? Supporting other military spouses and families comes second nature in my life. I see military spouses; single soldiers and soldiers walk through my building every-day with questions about their children, pro-grams and education. I work in a Child De-velopment Center so I am able to ease parents and their worries about their child’s education.

I am able to direct them with questions they have in their personal life to ease their abil-ity and allow them to concentrate on being a soldier and not worry about their children all day. Outside of work I see families on base who stop and ask me questions about activities and local attractions. My husband and I have volunteered through the military, helping park clean-up missions, raising funds for events, and participating in FRG meetings and events at previous duty stations.

Volunteer Service Highlights: I guess as an overview it would be a combination of the above question. Helping other families pack and move, volunteering at military events and FRG events are all ways my husband and I have helped volunteer. We have volunteered for Park and River clean up missions and raise funds for different military events.

Words of Wisdom/Advice for Other Mili-tary Spouses: Take a deep breath and make sure you still get your alone time with your spouse! As military life is always changing and challenging your stress levels it is very important that you and your spouse get quality time to enjoy each other. My hus-band and I have only been on one vacation together, our honeymoon, because of mili-tary life and we are starting to realize we also need to have a marriage. It is important to not lose sight of your love and your family that normally comes second in priorities. Make sure you acknowledge your soldiers enlistment date and support them any way possible. You may be having a horrible day, but your spouse has sacrificed his life I would also let Military Spouses know to get involved. The more involved you are you will be able to meet other military spouses in the same situation.

Spouse of SSG

Joseph Gunia |

GOON-YA |

Training

Developer |

Training and

Development,

CASCOM

Joint ReplacementFoot & Ankle

Spine SurgerySports Medicine

Fracture CareHand Surgery

Pain ManagementTherapy Services

Colonial Orthopaedics Salutes Heroes at Home

13048 Rivers Bend Rd., Chester, Va 23836 131 JennickDr., Colonial Heights, VA 23831 (804) 526-5888

OrthoExpress is located next to Colonial Orthopaedics in River’s Bend Professional Centerat the corner of Rivers Bend Road and Route 10 in Chester.

Quick and attentive careto get you and your family

in and out in a SNAP.

Staffed by Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons andLicensed Orthopedics Physician Assistants.

• Orthopaedic Specific Care

• Quick Appointments

• Reduced Wait Time

• Walk-Ins Welcome

• Most Major Insurances

• Standard Copay

• X-Ray On Site

• Workers Compensation

13038 Rivers Bend Rd.Chester, VA 23836

804.571.5099ColonialOrthoExpress.com

Fractures

Broken Bones

Sprains & Strains

Sports Injuries

Foot & Ankle Injuries

Shoulder Injuries

Knee Injuries

Hand & Wrist Injuries

The Spine Institute of Virginia ishere to help you achieve your goalsof pain reduction and improved

quality of life with acomprehensive pain treatment

plan customizedfor your needs. Appointments withDr. Snyder are available with very

little wait time.

804.530.002013034 Rivers Bend Rd.Chester, VA 23836

JohnW. Snyder, MDInterventional Spine and

Musculoskeletal Pain Specialist

Hours:8am - 5pm,

Monday - Friday


Leslie PriggeSpouse of SFC Michael P. Prigge | PRIG-E | Instructor | JCCoE, T CO, 266th QM, 23rd BD

Tell us briefly about your background/experience as a military spouse. This July marks our 24th an-niversary. We have two children – our daughter is 23 and our son is 17. My husband and I were high school sweethearts; my husband joined the military during his senior year and after graduation was off to basic training/Advanced Individual Training. We married the summer of 1989, once he completed training. Our daughter was born two months prior to my husband deploying to Dessert Storm, which was hard on us all, but with family and friends we survived. We have lived in Fort Polk, La. for eight years, Fort Campbell, Ky. for a total of five years and currently here at Fort Lee, Va. since August 2011. My husband has deployed four times – Des-sert Storm for 12 month, OIF for 15 months, OEF 15 months, and Afghanistan for 12 months. Each and every deployment, like any other spouse, is hard but with FRG and friends and family we all survive.

How do you balance family/work/military life? “I just do it.” Being a military spouse is a challenge under any circumstances, balancing all the demands of running a military household. The task of manag-ing family, school, work, military life (which often

includes having a spouse deployed overseas) seem daunting, “I have a set schedule. Monday through Thursday I drive to Chester JTCC for morning classes and Midlothian JTCC for afternoon/evening classes. Since my son is 17, he pretty much gets ready for school and my daughter and I are taking the same classes for our degree in Art/Photogra-phy. I do my schoolwork in the library between my morning and afternoon drive shifts. I do household chores on Friday – my day off. I also do home-work in the evening when my kids and husband are in bed, and I do my reading for class on Sundays. My husband helps tremendously around the house when he isn’t at his job as an Instructor. And on any given Saturday or Sunday, you can find me riding with my husband on our Harley Davidson motor-cycles all over Virginia.

What do you do to support other military spous-es/families? While stationed at Fort Polk and Fort Campbell, I assisted the FRG as an FRG Leader. I assist my husband’s Soldiers by sewing their names and ranks on their uniforms. I was actively involved with my husband’s Soldiers Spouse while on deploy-ments, comforting and assisting any way I could.

Volunteer Service Highlights: Helping the spouses of the deployed members, and meeting all new friends over the years.

Words of Wisdom/Advice for Other Military Spouses: These are some things that I learned over the years that helped me take things one day at a time: De-ployments are difficult but it helps to take things one day at a time. You’ll find what works for you and your family. I know it’s hard to not try and be Super-Mom/Dad but the fact of the matter is we are only stressing ourselves out with this perception. Focusing on something else can be a great distraction. Pick up a new hobby or go outside and exercise.

Congratulations to the 2013 Heroes at Home fi nalists

for a Job Well Done!

WWW.USOHRCV.COM • 757.764.5232CFC #29471


www.usadiscounters.netwww.usadiscounters.net

We recognize the important role our active duty and retired military spouses play in the Fort Lee community

and thank you for your dedication, service and support of our Armed Services!

USA Discounters is extremely proud to be the

Presenting Sponsorof the Second Annual Fort Lee Military Spouse Awards!

The 2013 Fort Lee Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year

2013 Heroes at Home

Documents

Transcript of 2013 Heroes at Home