<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usag-yongsan/3524392052/" title="Military Spouses Appreciation Day 2009 by usag.yongsan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3524392052_69d7a32173_m.jpg" width="240" height="159" align="right" hspace="10" alt="Military Spouses Appreciation Day 2009" /></a><strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - More than 50 percent of Soldiers are married, so undoubtedly, the Yongsan Family Member who won first place in an essay contest presented outside the Army Community Service building May 8 during a Military Spouse Appreciation Day ceremony is not alone.
Three years ago: "We met in June, married in September, and he deployed in December," Regenia Grubbs wrote. "Everyone tried very hard to be there for me and support me through all of those missed firsts; you know - Christmas, Valentine's, anniversary."
There were a total of 17 submissions and the commonality that seemed to get them through the hard and lonely times was other military spouses; a second Family who could understand.
"All of the essays were thought provoking, heartfelt and patriotic," said military spouse Reta Mills, acting ACS director. "The strong bond that spouses form together better allows the Servicemembers to do their jobs because spouses have a network that allows them to help and be there for each other."
U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Commander Col. Dave Hall emphasized during the ceremony that spouses give troops the strength to make the military strong. He also submitted an essay about his wife, Beth Anne, who gave up her promising career as a televised broadcast journalist to support her husband and country.
"Her active duty sponsor has been promoted several times, an honor he attributes to his Army spouse, period." Hall wrote. "Success is not defined by actions of one. Success is defined by what this Army 'couple' does as an Army Family."
May is Military Spouse Appreciation Month. Some spouses had no idea there was a special day or month to acknowledge their significance.
"I didn't even know about it, but when I found out, I was like 'All right!' Being a military spouse is a lot different than being a regular spouse," said Melissa Velasquez, second-place winner. "You can't just hop in the car and go see your family when you're feeling alone. But I hope that my essay helps other spouses to learn that they are not alone, and even though it's hard, it does get better."
The support on this day extended beyond husband and wife. Seoul American High School student Gavino Shreider submitted an essay that won third place, dedicated to the efforts his mom, Eva Irving, as a military spouse.
"Anytime a Family needed help, my mom reached out and gave a helping hand," Shreider wrote. "Mrs. Irving has been dealing with fibromyalgia [a condition that causes pain in muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons] for the past 10 years and still manages to keep things going. If anyone lives up to the Army values, it is my mom."
Velazquez summed up the reason military spouses are proud to make sacrifices for their special troops who serve America's armed forces.
"I'm very proud to say my husband is a hero," Velasquez said. "My husband is a Soldier."
Community participation in the ceremony included vocal and instrumental performances by students from Seoul American schools. ACS staff members and volunteers set up a complimentary food and beverage booth and displayed signs with quotes from the essay submissions.
Mills said she hopes to have the essays published in a book to inspire the entire military community.
Spouses and community members interested in joining ACS programs may call Mills at 738-5311.
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