MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Spouses throughout the military do great things every day. Many have jobs and families to care for while volunteering to help out in their spouse’s unit. For one spouse within the 1st Marine Logistics Group community, her hard work paid off when she was nominated to be the Marine Corps’ Spouse of the Year.
The nomination was a great honor for Kerry-Ann Ellington, the wife of 1st Sgt. Delwin K. Ellington, company first sergeant, Bravo Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG.
“I was shocked, but not surprised,” said Delwin, 36, from West Palm Beach, Fla. “I knew she deserved the nomination, but I didn’t expect someone to see that and nominate her.”
Kerry-Ann was nominated by her sister and several other people who thought she deserved the title.
“It was an honor, and I was kind of shocked to be selected as one of the five spouses from each [military] branch,” said Kerry-Ann.
During the past year, Kerry-Ann has worked with Blue Star Families, a website dedicated to providing information to military family members, and the S.T.A.R. foundation, a group which educates young women about abstinence and safe sex.
Additionally, Kerry-Ann works as an assistant family readiness officer while maintaining her own household with three children.
“I love giving information that’s going to help people out,” said Kerry-Ann, 31, from Kingston, Jamaica. “It can be a lot of work, but I’m glad to help.”
Delwin is impressed by the hours his wife invests to assist military families.
“She is full steam,” said Delwin. “I don’t know how she does it. She gets everything done around the house and still finds so much time to help others. I call her the backbone of my family.”
Kerry-Ann is thankful for the support Delwin gives her on a daily basis, she said.
“[Delwin has] been really supportive” said Kerry-Ann. “We see this as a great opportunity to get the word out about the organizations, and he’s been my biggest fan.”