Military Spouses Honored in Recognition Ceremony

The Office of U.S. Senator Kay Hagan co-hosted a ceremony honoring military spouses in Fayetteville with Community Blueprint Network and Give an Hour. Hagan was represented by her Military Liaison, Jenny Hartsock.

Hartsock, also a military spouse, shared her personal trials that she experienced within her own family as her spouse deployed when she was left home alone with their newborn. Hartsock gave a heartfelt thanks to today's honorees and thanked them for their volunteer service and making a difference in our community.

Also speaking at the event was Nancy St. Claire, the COO of Give an Hour as well as the Fort Bragg & Pope Senior Spouse, Nany Colt. Awards were presented to local military spouses who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

“Anyone who has spent just five minutes with a military spouse has seen firsthand their strength, their dignity and their selflessness,” said Hagan. “To all of our military spouses – thank you for what you do for your husbands and wives, for you families, for our military, and for our country. Not just today, but every day of the year.”

Along with a slide show of the honorees, each recipient accept their plaque and certificate Tuesday afternoon. Fort Bragg's own Marianne Kernan gave the closing remarks and spoke about her early days at Fort Bragg to her own volunteer initiatives post retirement.

2013 Award Recipients:

Ashley Broadway, Fort Bragg Military Spouse of the Year

Kelly Henry, Blue Star Families, Fort Bragg Chapter Director

Sonny Kelly, Fayetteville Urban Ministries, Dir. of Operations & Programs

Susan Reynolds, Pope AAF Military Spouse of the Year

Beth Stitt, Wear Blue: Run to Remember, Fort Bragg Chapter President

Hagan, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, comes from a strong military family. Her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General; her brother and father served in the Navy; her husband, Chip, is a Vietnam veteran who used the GI Bill to help pay for law school; and she has two nephews who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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