Photo By Melissa Wenger | Andrea Gardenhire, a volunteer with Marine Attack Squadron 214, listens as Maj. Gen....... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Moving is a common life event for many Marines and families, but when a move comes every nine to 12 months for four years, it poses an extra challenge. However, much like their Marine counterparts, spouses learn to adapt and overcome.
Andrea Gardenhire, a volunteer with Marine Attack Squadron 214, is a wife whose efforts never ended despite the hectic movements. Now settled, Gardenhire uses her past experiences to help make new ones.
While finishing her education in speech language pathology, Gardenhire never left the side of her husband, Capt. Stanton Gardenhire, a pilot with VMA-214 and a Kilgore, Texas native. This meant she had to delay her education for more than a year, but there was a silver lining.
“This time was very difficult for me because I had a feeling of not contributing,” she said. “My involvement with the Marine Corps family played a large part in making me feel like I was important and really helped me through this time.”
Gardenhire continued pursuing her education. While completing her degree, she volunteers to encourage other spouses to get involved and welcomes them into the Marine Corps family.
“I hope that my efforts help support their mission,” she said. “It‘s like running a marathon. No one can actually run the race for you, but they can support you while you train for and run those long 26.2 miles. I hope that the little things I and the other spouses contribute provide a sense that [the Marines] are cared for, appreciated, supported, and valued as part of the Marine Corps family.”
Gardenhire’s contributions go beyond her husband’s current squadron. She is also the 2nd vice president of the Officer’s Spouses’ Club in charge of fundraising for 2012 to 2013. She aided the organization in providing Marines’ families with food baskets for the holidays, scholarships to continue education and donations to philanthropic organizations.
With her help, the OSC was able to donate 50 $50 gift cards, $3,000 in scholarships, $3,000 to philanthropy and more than $12,000 worth of holiday food baskets.
“I accepted the nomination for president for the 2013 to 2014 year because I truly believe that our contributions to the Marine Corps community make a difference and it is so important to give back to the community that provides so much love and support to my family,” said Gardenhire.
With no end in sight, Gardenhire aims to progress herself both in her personal career and through volunteering.
“The phenomenal support I have received from the Marine community is so important to me that I want to be involved in sharing that with other Marines and their spouses,” she said. “Go to coffee with spouses or a squadron party. Use your strengths. If you’re a great cook, prepare a meal or have spouses over to learn how to make your friends’ favorite dish. Most importantly, enjoy yourself. We are part of a wonderful group of selfless, caring individuals. I promise you will never regret helping someone else and getting engaged in your community.”
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2013 17:53 |
| Story ID: | 116848 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | KILGORE, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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