FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 19, 2015) -- As hard as a Soldier's job is, military spouses and children have it 10 times tougher, said the installation's commanding general.
Recognizing this, Fort Sill honored 26 military families as it selected its 2015 Family of the Year (FoY) Nov. 13, during a ceremony at the Patriot Club.
Master Sgt. Richard Pyles, his wife, Immeka, and their children: Richard, Reagan, Ryan and Reid, were honored as the Family of the Year. Pyles is assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery. He was unable to attend the ceremony.
Richard Pyles, age 20, a Cameron University ROTC sophomore said: "This award will lead the way for our family for generations to come. It's a very humbling experience to see us come out on top among so many good families."
In his invocation, Chaplain (Col.) John Morris, Fort Sill Installation chaplain, said: "Families are the bond that hold societies together, and we thank you for the Army family and our Army families -- they truly are the backbone, oh gracious God, of our nation's great defense."
Ceremony host Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, said the Army recognizes the strains put on families, through PCS moves, deployments, school changes, missed birthdays and more. He noted his family has lived in 23 houses during his career.
"What you do is very important and your Soldiers could never function without you behind them, Rossi said to the families.
"You are volunteers, you are mentors, you're are coaches, you're coordinators, you do so many things on-duty, you do so many things off-duty, he said. "You represent strength, you represent service, commitment and resilience just like your Soldiers. You made it a point to selflessly serve and we thank you for that."
Although 26 families are being recognized, there are probably many more out there that are just as deserving, the general said.
During the ceremony, JD Famoly, Fort Sill Army Volunteer Corps program manager, called each family to the front, and read their accomplishments. They were greeted by Rossi; his wife, Liz, Fort Sill first lady; FCoE Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Lindsey, and his wife, Vicki. The general presented the families a framed two-star congratulatory letter with his coin of excellence.
The Pyles were recognized for their work at Lawton's Grace Fellowship Church, which involved every member of their family. It included hosting a 10-week Bible study on marriage enhancement, youth Bible study, attending youth mentorship studies, and numerous other church volunteer activities.
They volunteered for the past four years at the regional Southwest Oklahoma Special Olympics hosted at Fort Sill. The Pyles spearheaded a battery family readiness group food drive to support victims of a tornado disaster.
And, Richard and Reagan were recognized as Fort Sill Youth of the Year, and have competed at the state and national levels.
Jenni Kerin, her husband, Maj. John Kerin, along with children Jack, Anna and Audrey were also recognized.
"It really is an honor to be nominated by my battalion and my brigade," said Maj. Kerin, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery, executive officer. "It takes a lot of teamwork, good communication with your family and genuine care to remain as a family no matter what we do."
Jenni Kerin spoke about her husband's volunteer activities.
"He has volunteer coached for the last two years at Fort Sill," she said. "Before that a year at Fort Leavenworth (Kan.) and at Washington, too. He has taught soccer, tee ball, flag football. He has over 500 hours as a volunteer coach."
Staff Sgt. Calvin Smith and his wife, Christina, and six children (Keith, Matthew, Anthony, Karol, Chris and Jachin) were nominated by 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery.
"I was surprised and shocked," Sgt. Smith said of his family's nomination.
Some of the activities the children are involved in include the Boy Scouts, Rainbow Girls, Key Club for community service, sports, and two high school sons, who are working.
Families were nominated by units across the post, said Famoly, who served as the master of ceremonies. A battery could nominate one family, and the battalion commander selected the unit's overall nomination.
Blind nomination packets were presented to a five-member panel of post leaders, who graded the family on individual growth, family teamwork and friendship, and community service, Famoly said. The scores were tallied to determine the FoY. Every family who was nominated was recognized at the ceremony.
This year's FoY sponsors were Sylvan Learning Center, First Command Financial Services, Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Corvias Military Living and Fort Sill National Bank, said Logan Ralston, FMWR's commercial sponsorship and advertising coordinator.
The Pyles received two $200 gift certificates, a $350 gift card and a charcoal print of the Field Artillery Half-Section from the sponsors.
To view pictures of the family of the year nominees, see www.sillmwr.com and select its Flickr link (the two dots) in the right hand corner.
NOMINATED FAMILIES
Chief Warrant Officer 2 and Mrs. James Austin, 100th Brigade Support Battalion
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Timothy Barnes, 428th Field Artillery Brigade
Gunnery Sgt. and Mrs. Joshua Brown, Marine Artillery Detachment
Sgt. and Mrs. Roy Brown, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery
Sgt. 1st Class and Mrs. Calyl Celilion, 434th Field Artillery Brigade
Retired Sgt. 1st Class and Mrs. Michael Collins, Fort Sill Garrison
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Justin Davis, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade
Command Sgt. Maj. and Mrs. Kevin Enoch, 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Ronald Frampton, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Philip Jones, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Shaun Kelley, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery
Maj. and Mrs. John Kerin, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Lauran Kissiah, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery
1st Sgt. and Mrs. Kenneth Lima, 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Scott Locke, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Joseph Moyer, 95th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception)
Capt. and Mrs. Jeff Munster, 75th Field Artillery Brigade
Sgt. 1st Class and Mrs. Shane Nickell, 2nd Battalion, 4th Battalion
Capt. and Mrs. Grant Pinkston, 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
Master Sgt. and Mrs. Richard Pyles, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery
Capt. and Mrs. Scott Stephenson, Dental Activity
Command Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Terry Vannoy, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Talyia Williams, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery
Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Jordan Wright, Medical Department Activity
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