Photo By Staff Sgt. April Campbell | Debbie Allyn, the wife of XVIII Airborne Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Daniel Allyn,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The Lewandowski family was named the Fort Bragg Family of the Year and 23 other families were honored during a ceremony at the Main Post Chapel, Dec. 6.
First Sgt. Evan Lewandowski, of Troop C, 5th Squadron, 73rd Airborne Cavalry Regiment, his wife Melissa and children Joshua, Samantha and Wyatt edged out four other finalists to earn the title of Family of the Year 2012.
Many units from across Fort Bragg nominated families, and a panel of judges narrowed it down to five finalists. All finalists hailed from the 82nd Airborne Division. A second panel of judges conducted personal interviews and decided on the overall winner.
“Military families demonstrate resilience on a daily basis just by being military families, but the Family of the Year is selected based on their ability to take it to the next level, one that is an example for others to follow,” said Catherine Mansfield, Fort Bragg Army Community Service volunteer coordinator.
The Lewandowski family understands the importance of a strong family. Simply understanding what a spouse is going through makes a world of difference to the family dynamic. Even when Evan is not deployed, his days as a first sergeant are long.
“They understand the hardships of what it takes to be a first sergeant. They understand the long hours that get put in to it," said Evan of his family, "When I'm gone, my wife is what keeps everything together. She does an excellent job raising and teaching our children, and maintaining the values that we hold as a family."
According to Mansfield, some may think Family of the Year is all about volunteering or being involved in everything that’s going on in the community.
“It’s more about focusing on the needs of your own family. Giving back is an important piece, but you have to know what the correct balance is between the two, and what works for your family,” said Mansfield.
Following the ceremony, the Family of the Year and the four other finalists joined XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Daniel Allyn, XVIII Airborne Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia Vimoto, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Jeffrey Sanborn and Fort Bragg Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Yolanda Tate as they signed the Army Family Covenant.
The Army Family Covenant was first established by the Army and signed in 2007.
According to myarmyonesource.com, the Army Family Covenant commits the Army to improve family readiness by standardizing family programs and services; increasing accessibility to healthcare; improving soldier and family housing; ensuring excellence in child, youth and school services and expanding education and employment opportunities for family members.
Fort Bragg has established its own Army Family Covenant, and each year Fort Bragg leaders renew this ongoing commitment through a signing ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2012 14:36 |
| Story ID: | 99093 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT LIBERTY, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 731 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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