WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2009 – Seven families, one from each of
the uniformed services, have been selected as National
Military Family Association's 2009 Military Families of the
Year for the roles they play in their communities and the
way they embrace the military lifestyle.
“They're really all great,” said Bailey Toombs, a National
Military Family Association spokeswoman. “A lot of them are
just really involved in the community and just go above and
beyond.”
The association serves the five branches of the armed forces
as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the Public Health Service.
To be nominated, or to nominate themselves, families must be
associated with one of the services or be the family of a
fallen servicemember, Toombs said. Active duty, reserve
components, and retiree families of the Army, Navy, Air
Force Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, or the commissioned
corps of NOAA or the Public Health Service also are
eligible.
The seven families chosen to represent their services are:
-- Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Nolan and his family, of Fort
Riley, Kan., are the Army Family of the Year. The family is
active in its church, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as
the children's school and Nolan's command.
-- Lt. j.g. Joshua Caldwell and his family, of Kailua,
Hawaii, are the Navy Family of the Year. The Caldwells have
overcome many obstacles to get to where they are today. They
regularly volunteer in the community and help to support
hospital patients, homeless veterans and disabled youth.
-- Sgt. Dennis Leanes and his family, of Camp Lejeune, N.C.,
are the Marine Corps Family of the Year. When the sergeant
is deployed, his wife and children throw themselves into
serving their community. According to the family, they "have
learned not to define ourselves by our challenges, but by
our accomplishments."
-- Master Sgt. Wayne and Tech. Sgt. Thane Ojala and their
family, of Las Vegas, are the Air Force Family of the Year.
The dual-military family volunteers and says, "It's a good
feeling to know we're contributing to something greater than
ourselves." They view the challenges of military life as an
opportunity to become closer as a family.
-- Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Udland and his family, of
Juneau, Alaska, are the Coast Guard Family of the Year. This
family's passion is the Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer
research. They've turned volunteering into a whole-family
activity and love to spend time together exploring the
wonderful activities that Juneau has to offer.
-- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Family of
the Year Cmdr. Shep Smith and family, are stationed at
Norfolk, Va. They like to travel, participate in a community
theater group, and stay involved in the NOAA Corps
community. The Smiths are active participants in the NOAA
Officers Family Association, helping to keep their small
community strong.
-- Public Health Service Family of the Year Cmdr. Dana Hall
and the Horesh family, stationed at Overland Park, Kan.,
support local food banks because they are "working hard to
teach our children that they have a responsibility to
actively participate in the improvement of their community."
The National Military Family Association's National Military
Family of the Year will be chosen from among these seven
families and announced Oct. 28 in Washington. The
announcement, and presentation of awards by the service
chiefs, will be made as part of the organization's 40th
anniversary celebration.
The National Military Family Association is a nonprofit
organization committed to strengthening and protecting the
families of the men and women currently serving, retired,
wounded or fallen. It provides families of the Army, Navy,
Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps
of the USPHS and NOAA with information, works to get them
the benefits they deserve, and offers programs that improve
their lives. |
