Military wife, mother devotes her life to the troops

03.28.2007

Story by Spc. Deborah Ledesma 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Debrah A. Robertson
40th Public Affairs Detachment

KUWAIT - "Welcome to 'Big Momma's' house," says Violet Kelly, as troops flood through the doors of the Oasis Community Center at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Kelly has been at the Oasis for nearly 18 months working as a recreational leader, but she has worked with the military's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program for close to 25 years.

Joining the military family with her husband, now a retired Navy Sailor, Kelley began helping the community right away. Working with youth groups was very important to her.

But Kelly, a Fresno, Calif., native, holds a special place in her heart for service members.

"The troops made me want to do this," said Kelly of her work at Camp Buehring. "My daughter's in the military, and my husband's retired. I've been around troops all my life."

Kelly, who earned the nickname "Big Momma" because of her mothering of the troops, is often a confidante to those who need someone to vent to and relax.

"I enjoy talking to the troops," she says. "I enjoy listening to them."

If a service member has a problem and needs help, Kelly refers them to the proper personnel or agencies if they desire assistance.

When Soldiers come to the Oasis they are happy to see "Big Momma," said Benny Barreto, a recreation associate at the Oasis.

"When [troops] enter [the Oasis], they are happy," said Salvador Ratos, also a recreation associate at the Oasis. "She says, 'This is 'Big Momma's' house. I'm here to take care of the troops.'"

But it's not just troops Kelly wants to help.

Traveling all over the world, she has made helping others her priority in life.

"Our lives are built around helping others," said Kelly of her and her family's adventures.

One of the families that appreciate the Kellys' charity and kindness lives in Sri Lanka. The Kelly family has donated enough to the family to help them build a new home and send their daughter to school. Learning life lessons from one another and exchanging letters and cards often, has bonded the two families. The Kellys were able to visit the family during a recent trip to Sri Lanka.

Kelly lives for the memories she builds, not material possessions.

"You can't take material things with you when you leave this world," said Kelly.

Donating her time and love to the troops is what Kelly continues to do at Buehring.

"If I make one person happy before they go up north to Iraq, I've done my job," she said, "and when I'm tired, I'll go home."

• Date Taken: 03.28.2007
• Date Posted: 03.28.2007 12:57
• Story ID: 9646