Fort Meade Honors Military Spouses

The Army Community Services at Fort Meade held its second annual Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the loved ones of those who serve domestically and abroad.

The event was only the second of its kind, but Fort Meade has been celebrating National Military Spouse Appreciation Day ever since President Reagan instated it in 1984, said Fort Meade public affairs officer Veronica Castro.

Each year, usually on the Friday before Mother’s Day, the base celebrates the vital role spouses provide to the nation’s security, Castro said.

“We’re here to honor [the spouse’s] sacrifice and devotion and to thank them for the support they give to those who serve this nation,” said Chief of Army Community Services Cathy Ferran. “[Being a military spouse] is a special club. Not everyone can do it.”

More than 80 wives and one husband attended the meal that took place inside the clubhouse at The Courses at Fort Meade, and heard from one of the most experienced military wives around, guest speaker Beth Chiarelli.

Chiarelli is married to Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the current vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army. The mother of three had plenty of words of advice for the spouses in attendance and emphasized the importance wives and husbands have on the military as a whole.

“Military families are the force behind the force,” said Chiarelli, a phrase that she said is used by President Obama and the first lady.  

A 39-year veteran as a military spouse, Chiarelli shared a story about when she had toothache so bad that she ran to a neighbor, handed over her firstborn child and said, “I need to go to the dentist can you take this baby?” She said she was met with a cheerful smile and was helped immediately, something that is just a social norm for military spouses.   

"I know that doesn't happen everywhere else," she said, referring to the comradery that forms between military spouses. 

As much experience as Chiarelli has as a military wife, Jennie Blair is on the opposite end of spectrum as she sat listening to the speaker in the corner of the dining hall. 

Blair and her husband Jared, an army platoon leader, moved to Fort Meade last December and have only been in active service for a year. Initially, the couple moved to Murphy's Burrow, TN, but Blair said she is happy to be in a more active community. 

"[Murphy's Burrow] had a college and a hospital. That's about it," said Blair. "[At Fort Meade] there's a lot more to do on the weekends."

The relatively new Army wife said she’s still getting used to tripping over her husband’s fatigues but that life hasn’t been too hard for the young couple.

“My life hasn’t changed too much, but I’m sure it will in the future. At this point, I’m just more anxious about when he will actually be deployed,” she said.

Toward the end of the luncheon, Chiarelli concluded by telling the women and man to stay connected to dear friends and always choose what is best for the family.

“I think Paul McCartney said this best. 'We get by with a little help from our friends.'”