FORT SILL, Okla. -- The Colemans are a family who leads by example in every aspect of their lives.
They begin with setting an example for their children to love their neighbors and each other.
They play, study, volunteer and worship together, and that is why they are Fort Sill's 2013 Family of the Year.
They have made helping others and doing it together a family tradition.
They will be moving away soon but the legacy they leave behind and the traditions they have instilled in their children will resonate for a lifetime.
The Colemans were one of more than 20 families who were nominated for the title. All the families were recognized during a social at the Patriot Club Nov. 19.
According to Staff Sgt. Jeremy Coleman, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, what his wife, Shamberly and their children Garrett and Laurelei, what they do isn't unusual - it's their normal.
"That's why we were shocked to even get nominated," said Shamberly. "But we were really shocked when they called our name because from our point of view we don't see ourselves as doing that much to get nominated - it's just part of our lives.
"We stay busy working with our church, which is how we got involved in the community, because our church is involved in so many activities," Shamberly said.
"Honestly, I think the reason we were chosen has more to do with our church family really welcoming us in and making us part of their family and their ministries, and how we as a family were incorporated into all that because it just encouraged us to do even more," said Shamberly, a Family Readiness leader and a home school teacher for her children. "Our church has drawn us in and taught us how to get involved."
Jeremy said he was also shocked they won the title.
"Whenever our battery told me that we were getting nominated I thought OK, but didn't think much more about it. When I look around me and see all these other Soldiers who go above and beyond to help out in the community, I think what we do is the norm," he said. "Our family bases its rule on the scriptures 'do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind; regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Jesus Christ, Philippians 2:1-5.'"
Jeremy said: "I the family rule creates teamwork because, while there are certain failures on a daily basis, there is a constant striving and learning as a family to regard each other as more important, leaning away from selfishness or criticism, and helping us to remember to pay attention and look for ways to help those around us; helping us to remember to share and to serve and to love."
"I want to thank my chain of command here at Fort Sill because they have been very supportive in everything we do," Jeremy said. "We were nominated by my battery commander, Capt. Glenn Lemaster who sent it to our chain of command and got it approved. I give my command a lot of the credit because they are so supportive of Soldiers giving back to the community."
According to the nomination from Lemaster, "As a homeschooling family, most of their time is spent together exploring books, activities and the world around them - they enjoy going hiking through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and around Fort Sill having nature studies and making crafts."
Jeremy is an example to his fellow Soldiers by encouraging and recruiting Soldiers to support the community and motivates other Soldiers to join in and find ways to do good around the community on and off post, according to the nomination.
Shamberly is an FRG leader who reaches out to new families and offers them an ear to listen or talk and she keeps new family members informed of what's going on within the unit, on-post and in the surrounding community.
Jeremy and Shamberly said they feel physical activity is an important part of their family time.
Jeremy takes Garrett and Laurelei fishing, hunting and camping and they all enjoy working together on projects around the house.
"A healthy family is one aspect of overall family wellness and physical health is important to our family growth. A healthy mind and body ensures we are better able to grow together through activities and we enjoy spending our down time actively enjoying each other so we can recharge and be better able to help others."
Garrett thinks they won family of the year because they like to do things together.
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