Semi-Finalist #9: Martha Chavarin

Five minutes 'till midnight and I'm wide awake. It's almost noon in Afghanistan, and as always, I wonder what my husband is up to. I wonder if he's eaten, if he got a good night's sleep, whether he got my weekly care package already, and of course, I mostly wonder when I'll be hearing from him again. This is our third deployment together, and our first as a married couple. This one is definitely the hardest.


My husband is SFC Jose A. Chavarin. Pronounced Chaw-va-reen, not Chevron. I met my husband almost 20 years ago, and we've been best friends ever since. He joined the military right out of high school. While I got ready to go out for my first 18 and over club , he was getting yelled at by his Drill SGT. When I graduated from college, and got ready to go into the "real world", he had already been to war and back. My husband's courage inspires me, his will to serve brings out the best in me. I'm trying my darn hardest to stay positive during this deployment, but sometimes sitting here rocking back and forth in his recliner, wearing his favorite vanilla scent makes it very easy for me to shed a tear. As I wait for my husband's return, I can't help to think of the day when I get to tell our children how their father is a three-time war veteran, a bronze star recipient, and the best friend God could have ever blessed me with.


Past midnight now. Past noon in Afghanistan... What do you know, time does pass by. Except that when you're waiting for the one man who you were destined for since you were 12 years old, it couldn't possibly pass by fast enough. Still, it's at these times when true love prevails, and something tells me that my husband and I-- we got that kind of love.


Sincerely,
Martha Chavarin

** Many thanks to Martha for sharing her beautiful story with us. I have to admit that this one tugged at my heartstrings in a big way. I'll be posting one more semi-finalist today and then tomorrow I will be announcing the three finalists.**

Semi-Finalist #8: Mary Lou Vandergriff

**This story is a bit different because this semi-finalist was nominated by her husband who served in our military. Thank you for your service, Larry.**

Dear Ms. Humphreys,

I wanted to say thank you for what you're doing to help our veterans. Being a disabled vet, I can appreciate what your aid means. Also, I wanted to tell you of someone that is doing something similar. My wife, Mary Lou, wrote a cookbook last year based on Mexican recipes she grew up with. She donated all proceeds to helping feed the homeless in our area.

We live just south of St. Louis. During our first outing, we met several disabled vets livingon the street. Since then, we've joined forces with our church and two others to expand our efforts. Visit Youtube and search for Hopeville St.Louis, and you find one community that we help.

She is so shy that it's hard to find apicture of her relaxed and smiling. I like this one because Mary Lou is relaxed and smiling. Sorry, I can't afford a new camera so I wasn't in the shot. Seriously, I hope you can use the photo on your blog. I read your blog late last week, and what you've done for these young kids and their wives is fantastic.

Which is more rewarding,feeding a vet or seeing his tears when his child gets new clothes and toys?I don't know. Thank you for what you are doing.

Larry E. Vandergriff

Thank you, Larry!!! I think what Mary Lou is doing is simply outstanding and I'm honored you shared her story with us. To all the readers, Mary Lou is working on getting her cookbook out there so we can all buy one and help support our vets! I'll keep you posted and let you know how things progress.

Semi-Finalist #7: Proud Military Wife & Mom, Glena Walker

My husband, Richard Walker, enlisted in the Army in 1975. After three years of active duty he joined the Colorado Army National Guard in 1980. He graduated from OCS in 1985 and retired as a Major in 1999. During his years in the Army he served as a radio operator, airfield operations, combat medic, field medical assistant, and medical service corps officer.
His unit was activated for Desert Shield in 1990 and continued into Desert Storm. Our son, Aaron, was four years old and our daughter, Bethany, was born just after he was activated. He commanded the main medical evacuation hub for the theater. When he returned Aaron was turning five and Bethany was six months old.

For the last 20 years he has suffered from Gulf War Syndrome, PTSD, and a disabling injury. They say that dying in service to your country is the ultimate sacrifice. I do not want to lessen the sacrifice of those who have died nor their families. However, being disabled and living with the after affects of your service is a tremendous sacrifice in itself for the veterans and their families. You are reminded of it every single day.

Now our son is following in his father’s footsteps. He enlisted in the Colorado Army National Guard in 2010 and has graduated as a combat medic. He loves serving in the military and is looking forward to his opportunity to serve his country.
I am very proud of both of them. They exemplify what it means to be a soldier, dedication, integrity, and honor.

Glena Walker
Pueblo, Colorado

**Thank you for sharing your story with us, Glena.**

I'll be posting a semi-finalist every day over the next few days and announcing the winner on Labor Day.

Remember you can donate to ASMBA-STAR and help our veterans and their families!

Semi-Finalist #4: Proud Army Wife Diana Herrmann

I thought I'd give this a shot and Enter. Win or lose I always enjoy sharing a bit about being a Army Wife with people. My husband serves in the Army and has been for the past 8 years. I myself come from a military family. My father is in the Army soon to retire, my grandfather is retired Air Force, my father in law was in the military and my brother is serving in the Army. Both my father and my brother just got deployed and my husband is due to deploy next year.

We have been stationed to Ft. Huachuca AZ, Fort Hood Tx, and many other places. We have 3 little boys, the youngest looks up to his dad and grandpa and wants to be in the Army like them. He is our little soldier. The toughest job isn't being a mother and holding down the fort at home while he is deployed, taking care of our children, finances etc....The toughest thing is saying goodbye to him every time he has to leave for a deployment or for his training. He has been gone for months on end this entire year, home maybe a week and then off again. It's really tough saying goodbye to him - Sometimes it feels like I am a single mother raising our kids by myself when he is gone.

The one thing that is most rewarding for me is when he comes home. Every time he is ready to come home I get those "first date" butterflies in my stomach and seeing him again is like I am falling in love all over again with him . It really is the best reward I could get to have him home even for just one week. I do NOT like that he has to leave as much as he does but I accept it because I am his wife and I understand the sacrifices that come with his duty as a soldier. I will never take anything for granted because I do know what I have, I have a best friend, a soldier, a hero, a father, a soulmate in a bundle! He is my rock I lean on when things get rough at home.

I really Am not sure what else I could/should Write as I've never entered contests like these but it seems I could go on for hours the pride I have for my soldier and my Family and being in their lives on a daily basis. I am proud To call myself his wife and a sister, daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter of U.S. Military Soldiers who have served in the past, present and future. I couldn't see my life any other way then what it is now.

--Diana Herrmann

Thank you for sharing your story with us! Are you a proud military wife like Diana? Then send me your story & picture! Email it to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com

Please put 3rd Annual U.S. Military Wives Contest in the subject line.

Contest runs until Labor Day when the 3 winners will be announced. Here's what's up for grabs.

Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Unleashed and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Unleashed and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Grand Prize: A book signing event at their local Bookstore and the winner will be the special guest of honor. 3 Free Signed copies of Unleashed. (1 for them and 2 of their friends) A $100 Amazon Gift card and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

There's more info on my website http://www.sarahumphreys.com/

Week #3 Semi-Finalist: Proud Air Force Wife, Cheryl Chamberlain

Hi there. My name is Cheryl Chamberlain and my husband, Scott, is a SSgt in the Air Force, waiting to find out if he makes Tech Sgt this month, and currently based out of Mountain Home, Idaho AFB.

We live in Boise, and just had our first son Dylan this past February, who was asphyxiated in the womb, and ended up in NICU for 5 weeks after an emergency C-section.

Scott has been deployed or stationed outside mainland USA for 3/4ths of his 15 years with the Air Force. He has been at Mtn. Home for the last 7 of those, but did two tours in Afghanistan, one in South Korea and one in Iraq. He was stationed at Spangdahlem, Germany, Iceland, and has been TDY more times than I can count. When asked where he's been, I always reply that it's easier to state where he HASN'T been!

He signed up for his last 5 yrs in the Air Force, so he can retire after 20 yrs in the Air Force while I tackle getting my bachelors in Nutrition Science, while running a home-based business with Just Jewelry LLC, as well as taking care of my new baby boy, and my eldest son, Liam, who is 13.

Throughout all of life's challenges and hardships, we've both survived divorces with our first marriages, and came together after 5 yrs of knowing each other, and marrying July 31, of last year. We are both away from family, as his family is in Altoona, PA and mine is in the suburbs of Chicago.

Thank you for recognizing military families! It's wonderful what you do, and we sincerely appreciate it!


-- Cheryl Chamberlain

Happy Father's Day to Scott and all the other devoted dads out there.

Many thanks to Cheryl for sharing her story!!

How about you? Are you a proud military wife? Then send in your story!

Send your story and picture to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com

Please put 3rd Annual U.S. Military Wives Contest in the subject line.

You can find all the details and prize info on my website!

Week #8 Semi-Finalist: Momoko Noel

My name is Momoko Noel; I am a Navy wife. My husband, Master-at-Arms First Class Bernard Noel is proudly serving in the US Navy.
We have a 3-year old son, named Julian (see family picture attached).

My husband has been in the Navy for 10 years now, and has worked in Seal Beach, CA, Coronado, CA, San Diego, CA, Pensacola, FL, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Fort Jackson, SC, Yokosuka, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, and also did a 1-year combat tour in Iraq.

Our biggest challenge being a military family is the countless days or weeks or months we have to live apart. Moreover, my husband moved to the United States from Europe, and I am originally from Japan (we met when he was stationed there), meaning we have absolutely no family nor any support from anyone in the United States.

However, our biggest pride is to have the privilege to live in America, to protect this beautiful country, and since we both lived overseas, we know this country is the best!

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Momoko Noel

***Remember--- I will selecting semi-finalists to highlight here on the blog through Labor Day Weekend ! There are some great prizes up for grabs. A portion of my annual book proceeds go to ASMBA-STAR--my favorite charity for Vets and their families. So spread the word to all those hard working, dedicated military families out there.***

TO ENTER: Just send me YOUR STORY and a picture to
sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com

Week #7 Semi-Finalist Petty Officer 2nd Class Catharine Lindsey

The guy in the picture is my twin brother, SPC Christopher Lindsey. The girl in the other picture is me. While I was searching through my pictures, I kept thinking "I know I have one of us together!" but honestly, I can't remember the last time we were together long enough to have a picture taken together.

My twin and I haven't always been close. Spending too much time together can put a strain on any relationship, especially one where you've been together since conception. I joined the Navy just before I turned 19 and he was still struggling to find himself. He battled with depression, which led him down a dark path. I briefly feared that I'd have to come home to bury my twin before he called me one day to tell me that he couldn't keep living like this anymore, and he'd enlisted in the Army.

I wrote him daily while he was in basic training, and when he was sent to San Antonio for school, I was elated. I'd been stationed in San Antonio for a few years, and was pregnant with my daughter. I was due to give birth a few weeks before he finished with his school, and since he was going to be sent to Korea for a year, I figured God was stepping in and giving us a chance to reconcile our relationship.

My daughter was born just after 1:00 in the afternoon on July 29, 2005. Chris didn't have a car, but he didn't let that stop him from getting from Fort Sam to Lackland to be there for me. I still remember the tears in his eyes as he held her and said "Holy crap Cathy... you're a mother. I'm an uncle! When did we grow up??"

He was sent to Korea shortly after my daughter was born, then served 17 months in Iraq, and is currently serving in Germany. He's requested to extend his tour, as he is about to be married. I haven't met her, but I've managed to speak to her a few times over the phone, and she seems really nice. The important thing is that she makes my brother happy.

I got out of the military 2 years ago to raise my daughter and attend school to become a nurse. I want to go see Chris in Germany, but flights are expensive, and the school's fast-paced curriculum won't allow for more than 8 hours worth of absence. I miss my brother, but we keep in touch through sporadic phone calls, emails, and instant messenger (when we can - he's out in the field a lot). Sometimes I feel like I talk to his fiance more than him, and that's only on Facebook.

Is it hard? Definitely. He is -quite literally- the other half of me. But I wouldn't change it for the world. My brother is making a difference and doing something amazing with his life. He's contemplating the Physician's Assistant program, would would open the door for him to go to medical school when... if he ever decides to get out of the Army. To think, 5 1/2 years ago, I was worried whether or not my brother would end up in jail or dead, and he's saving lives now.

To borrow from my brother for a second... Hooah, SPC Lindsey!

Sincerely,
(former) Petty Officer 2nd Class Catharine Lindsey - sister to the most amazing twin brother in the world.

***Remember---Each week between now and Labor Day I will select 1 semi-finalist to highlight here on the blog ! There are some great prizes up for grabs. A portion of my annual book proceeds go to ASMBA-STAR--my favorite charity for Vets and their families. So spread the word to all those hard working, dedicated military families out there.***

TO ENTER: Just send me YOUR STORY and a picture to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com

Semi-Finalist Week # 5: An Army of Five

We are an Army family of 5 - Husband Tim (SM), me -Susanna, Alex 11 years old, Anna with Down Syndrome 13 years old and Tyler 15 years old.


We have been lucky to not have to move every 2 years. I believe in 17 years we've been lucky to have had to move only 7 times, my husband had 3 deployments. Hopefully, this is all behind us. I came to this beautiful country 15 years ago! I finally received my American citizen ship in 2007!
The last 4 years we have been stationed on JB Lewis McChord and we are currently on our way out to Ft.Carson, Colorado Springs.
Not sure what to tell you about us.

Our family is a very active family when it comes to little adventures...duathalons, little adventure races,runs. We love to camp and hang out with friends.


I have started a website militarydutystations.com that was started to help all milspouses get inside information about their new duty station. Getting first hand info about where to live and what schools are good is really essential for a family to move. I am hoping to pull that together on ONE site. I have also collected all the info about PCSing that I could and put it together in an every changing PCS Guide. I really don't want this to just be a plug for my site but this is a big deal for us. As all family members are involved in this (video: moving with a special needs member, Alex and Tyler are talking about their summer plans, Tim is talking about timeline planning, Reba(our 13 year old white lab) is included in a little pet relocation video, Tyler also developed my LOGO, Tim is working on my website LOL it's called free labor! HA)

What else can I tell you?

Regards,
Susanna
--
Make your experience count! Tell others about your current or past military duty stations or learn from others about your new installation:
www.militarydutystations.com
follow Susanna on twitter: @mildutystations
connect with Susanna on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/militarydutystations


***Remember---Every weekend between now and Labor Day I will select 1 semi-finalist to highlight here on the blog. ! There are some great prizes to be had. A portion of my annual book proceeds go to ASMBA-STAR--my favorite charity for Vets and their families. So spread the word to all those hard working, dedicated military families out there.***

SEND YOUR STORY TO: sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com