Subscribe
Nicole Spaid is a mother of three, command team advisor for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River and a cancer survivor.
If that isn’t impressive enough, she has supported her husband, Lt. Col. John Spaid, VMM-365 commanding officer, through 10 permanent change of station moves and eight deployments – one of which he is currently on.
For meeting the countless challenges that have come along during her 21 years of being a Marine Corps spouse, Spaid has been named as the 2015 Marine Corps Spouse of the Year.
"The best way to support my husband while he is deployed is to give him peace of mind," said Spaid. "This extends to taking care of the families whose husbands and wives are also deployed. And really good care packages do not hurt either."
Spaid attributes her ability to successfully support her husband and family to the spouses she has met over the years.
"As a young wife, I was very fortunate to have been ‘raised’ by strong, supportive and experienced spouses from both the enlisted and officer sides," said Spaid. "They quickly taught me about the many aspects of military life, to engage the military community and to help each other."
Spaid was nominated for the Spouse of the Year Award by a friend, completely unbeknownst to her.
"Nicole is one of the most kind-hearted, hardworking and ambitious Marine Corps Spouses I have ever met," said Jenn McCart, nominator for the award. "In all my years being affiliated with the military, never once have I met someone so fiercely concerned with the well-being of others, both physically and mentally. She hugs everyone she sees, regardless of rank, and helps dry tears and provides much needed encouragement for those in need."
Spaid said the award itself is not her focus.
"The award itself is really just the icing," said Spaid. "It is the physical reminder of the support, love and process. To know that I may have made a small difference in the lives of those who have made such a big difference in my life, that is the best award."
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2015 10:33 |
| Story ID: | 164653 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Spaid receives Marine Corps Spouse of the Year award, by Cpl Cameron Payne, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
