Lakewood Chamber Military Affairs Co-Chair Ken Swarner, The Ranger/NW Airlifter, presents Stephanie Roethlisberger, an Air Force Wife with a plaque.
The Lakewood Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee selected Stephanie Roethlisberger as the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year on November 19, 8:00 a.m. at Burs Restaurant with an amazing thank-you gift basket, compliments of the local business community.
Stephanie, an Air Force spouse, was selected because of her plethora of volunteer activities both on base and in the local community. Just a few of her accomplishments include: Coordinating an Armed Forces Blood Drive; Assisting with a Career Fair at local high school; Assisted in Relay for Life fundraising, Organized Coat Drive with a local homeless shelter, Dedicated member of school district improvement team, Volunteered at FISH Food Bank, Volunteered for Special Olympics; and much, much more.
Wives and husbands of military personnel endure difficult challenges while their spouses are deployed: single-handedly juggling the demands of work and family, often struggling to make ends meet, they face the additional anxiety of knowing that a loved one is constantly in harms way, with no guarantee they will make it home safely. These are tough burdens to carry, and the Lakewood Chamber has taken time to recognize how much spouses sacrifice in the great mission of protecting the United States and defending our freedom.
The Lakewood Chamber’s Member businesses donated pampering items, gift cards and more, totaling over $1,700 that was presented to Stephanie along with a specially made plaque to let her know that our civilian community appreciates and supports our military personnel and reservists ~ and their families living in our area.