Spouse of year honored for volunteer work

By Amy PerryMay 27, 2015

Spouse of the year
Lessica Burdett stands alongside her husband, Capt. Matthew Scott Burdett, CASCOM Logistics Proponency office, after receiving the Military Spouse of the Year award during the fourth annual Fort Lee's Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year lunche... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (May 27, 2015) -- Jessica Burdett was named Fort Lee's Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year during a luncheon ceremony May 21 at the Lee Club.

Burdett, wife of Capt. Matthew Scott Burdett, CASCOM Logistics Proponency office, received a $500 donation to the charity of her choice and a diamond necklace, provided by the event's sponsors. The Heroes at Home event was coordinated by Military Newspapers of Virginia -- the Fort Lee Traveller's publisher -- and the Army Community Service Volunteer Corps.

Burdett has served as a family readiness group leader for Bravo Company, 832nd Ordnance Battalion, and as the leader for Fort Lee Girl Scout Troop 5391. She also has held three positions in the Fort Lee Area Spouses' Club, recently being named the president for 2015-2016. She also has received the President's Volunteer Service award for the past two years

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The other finalists are Christy Norris, spouse of Capt. Burke Norris, 244th Quartermaster Bn.; Karla Rettzo, spouse of Capt. Francis Rettzo, Alpha Co., 244th QM Bn. ; Kim Hodder, spouse of retired Col. Clinton Hodder, director of the Quartermaster Foundation; and Stephanie Gaussoin, spouse of Lt. Col. Jerry Gaussoin, 244th QM Bn.

Laura Baxter, general manager for Military Newspapers of Virginia, said a number of outstanding nominations provided by military members, family and co-workers were provided for the spouse of the year title.

"The five finalists were chosen based on exceptional volunteer work accomplishments, fortitude in generating support of other military spouses and families, and overcoming challenges and going above and beyond," she said.

Burdett said it was a surprise to even be named a finalist for the honor.

"I was in complete shock when I was named spouse of the year," she said. "It means something to me to be recognized. It's important to me to serve my community in a volunteer capacity. This is a huge honor."

During the event, Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, thanked the team for putting together the event to recognize Fort Lee's spouses. He also brought attention to the volunteer efforts on the installation.

"We are so grateful and so lucky for our volunteers in the Fort Lee community," he said. "We have an exceptionally strong volunteer network, probably the strongest I've seen in my 33 years of service. When I look at what our spouses and retirees do for our community, we couldn't survive without it. It's what makes our community special and makes us feel like family."