Military Spouses honored at Appreciation Luncheon Story by Shannon Peck NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - “Ting, ting, ting,” rang fork against water glass as a booming voice spoke out across the galley; Lt. Brian Conlan asked, “Can I have your attention?” Guests looked up from their conversations and saw fresh floral arrangements, array of door prizes, and stunning three-tier cake – it was the start of Sigonella’s inaugural Military Spouse Appreciation Day Luncheon. President Ronald Reagan established Military Spouse Appreciation Day in 1984 as a means of publicly recognizing the ways military spouses serve their country alongside active duty members by enduring family hardships and career challenges. Lt. Conlan volunteered as Mater-of-Ceremonies and entertained more than 50 military spouses eating lunch and the more than 70 active duty members providing them fine-dining service. In Gear Career (IGC) and Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) organized the event and the Ombudsman Association and MWR sponsored. Spouses enjoyed a delicious meal served to them by active duty members. Lt. Conlan engaged the crowd and gave away more than 30 prizes – including MWR movie, bowling and pool passes, bouncy house day rental, training sessions by Kirsten Reichel, cupcake products from Ang Martin (who also donated the three-tier cake), babysitting hours, meals, and more – from a wide swath of community members including the Hospital Chiefs Association and Kirenia Scott, who donated the grand prize gift basket. Guest speakers at the luncheon included NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis, NAVSUP Command Master Chief Daniel Fernandez, and CTF 67 Commodore Michael McClintock. IGC member and volunteer organizer Megan Musselwhite said, “I was so overwhelmed by the active duty members who were there to support and serve the spouses! Our community is absolutely amazing!” Like most big productions, the luncheon was successful due to the organizing volunteers. IGC members Andrea Peters, Liz Zendner, Jessica Poole, Jill Warning, Angel Leibfreid and Megan Musselwhite who volunteered more than 40 hours of personal time to organize this event, with FFSC and Ombudsman making significant contributions along the way. Volunteers included members from Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Sigonella (AIMD), Executive Transport Detachment Sigonella (ETD), U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella (USNH), Region Legal Service Office (RLSO), Naval Supply Systems Command Sigonella( NAVSUP), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Naval Munitions Command Sigonella (NMC), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Detachment Maritime Ashore Support Team (DET MAST), Commander, Task Force 67 (CTF 67), and various NAS Sigonella departments. Volunteer awards went to the command with the most active duty participation (RLSO 100%), command providing the most volunteers (CTF-67), command with the most spouse RSVPs (USNH Sigonella), and first command to turn in its forms (NMC). The Military Spouse Appreciation luncheon not only provided community members with an opportunity to give back for a day, but it also allowed for a time of recognition to say “Thank you!” to NASSIG spouses.
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 06:30:01 +0000
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