Senator honors Fort Bragg military spouses

By Sgt. 1st Class Jessika Greendeer, 1st TSC Public AffairsMay 29, 2013

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Honorees Nancy Colt, left, Ashley Broadway, Kelly Henry, Sonny Kelly, Susan Reynolds and Beth Stitt attend the military spouse appreciation ceremony Tuesday at the Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville. The Office of U.S. Senator Kay Hagan co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Office of U.S. Senator Kay Hagan co-hosted a ceremony with Community Blueprint Network and Give an Hour, to honor military spouses at the Cumberland County Library Tuesday.

"The military spouses we recognize today have gone above and beyond for their communities," said Hagan in a letter that was read during the ceremony. "In addition to supporting their Families and running their own households, they have shown their leadership and a dedication to helping other military spouses overcome the challenges of deployments and military life. To all of our military spouses -- thank you for what you do for your husbands and wives, for your Families, for our military and for our country. Not just today, but every day of the year. You are my inspiration and you are my heroes," added Hagan.

The honorees of the ceremony were: Nancy Colt, who accepted the award on behalf of all senior military spouses; Ashley Broadway, Fort Bragg Military Spouse of the Year and American Military Partner Association Director of Family Affairs; Kelly Henry, Fort Bragg Chapter Director, Blue Star Families; Sonny Kelly, director of operations and programs, Fayetteville Urban Ministries; Susan Reynolds, the Pope Army Air Field Military Spouse of the Year; and Beth Stitt, Fort Bragg Chapter President of Wear Blue: Run to Remember.

Broadway, also serves as the family readiness group treasurer for the 1st Theater Sustainment Command has educated many service members and their spouses on adjusting to the military life.

"She has offered so much support," said Johnathan Taylor, an Army spouse. "She has educated me on what resources are available, from getting a pass to access post to helping me with my nursing licensure, as each state's requirements are different. Ashley provides so much support that you didn't know you had and makes everything about Family."

Lt. Col. Heather Mack, 1st TSC G-4, could not have been more proud of Broadway's achievements and accomplishments.

"I am honored, humbled and speechless all wrapped into one," said Mack. "Under 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' she would not have been recognized, but she continues to go above and beyond. For so long she was the person standing in a corner at the back of the room and now she is center stage being recognized by the senator."

"Our military has a long history of recognizing the contributions and sacrifices that military spouses make every day," said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour. "These extraordinary men and women exemplify selfless service. Please join me in saluting our military spouses, not only on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, but every day."