Photo By Marcy Sanchez | Lt. Col. Steven Knapp, commander, Troop Command, William Beaumont Army Medical Center,...... read more read more
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Army Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) serve as the line of communication between a deployed unit’s commander and family members back home.
During July, two William Beaumont Army Medical Center FRG members were rewarded for their countless hours of contributions to Army Families with a prestigious recognition from the State of Texas.
Long-time WBAMC volunteers, Mary Fran LeMar, FRG leader, and Shelly Crowley, Family Readiness Support Assistant, each were presented with the Yellow Rose of Texas Award, an award commissioned by the state’s governor recognizing Texas women for contributions to communities in the preservation of history, the accomplishments of the present, and the building of the future.
LeMar, a native of Iowa City, Iowa, began volunteering in 1999 even though she had seven children at home. After 9/11, the Army began heavy deployment cycles resulting in anywhere from 200 to 300 Soldiers deployed at a time.
“I would call (families) every three to four weeks, to make sure they were fine,” said LeMar. “The most important thing is to get the information to the families.”
In 2008, her husband retired from the army at WBAMC. LeMar continued to volunteer.
“Since her husband retired, Mrs. Lemar has continued to do a lot for WBAMC,” said Spc. Kellie Brisco, FRG leader and a combat medic at WBAMC. “In her position description, I literally had to pull from every position within the FRG scope; she does something in every position.”
According to the Yellow Rose of Texas Award application, LeMar volunteered in many positions within WBAMC’s FRG including leader, co-leader, treasurer, event coordinator, and secretary. She even developed the group’s newsletter. One position LeMar truly treasures is deployed family liaison, which links deployed Soldiers with their families back home.
“When Soldiers deploy, they need to have someone here while they’re over there,” said LeMar. “It’s important for them to remain connected.”
The importance of communication between the unit and the family played a pivotal role when LeMar assisted a Soldier’s spouse after falling and needing medical attention. LeMar contacted the spouse and linked her with the appropriate care she needed while her husband was deployed.
For Shelly Crowley, volunteering began more than two decades ago. Since 1993 Crowley volunteered, as a military spouse, recording more than 15,000 hours of volunteer time before being hired as WBAMC’s Family Readiness Support Assistant.
Outside the Army, Crowley volunteered with the El Paso Independent School District as well as other community programs.
“Ms. Crowley has gone above and beyond,” said Brisco. “During the holidays she would help families provide presents for their children. That wasn’t something the FRSA typically does; that was Shelly on her own initiative.”
Crowley and LeMar have been on the same team since 2002. Together, they have managed hundreds of homecomings for families, stuffed and mailed thousands of care packages, and organized various spring, fall and winter celebrations at WBAMC.
Both worthy volunteers were surprised to be presented with the awards.
“With (Crowley) moving from the area, we felt it was appropriate and a nice surprise for her,” said Brisco. Crowley recently left WBAMC to join family back in Illinois. “That award was very close to her heart, and she always thought highly of it.”
Crowley had previously nominated LeMar for the award, going the extra step to make sure LeMar was properly recognized for her decades of support to WBAMC Soldiers and families.
“They’re both phenomenal individuals,” said Brisco. “They’re definitely a cornerstone of our FRG at WBAMC.”
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2016 17:29 |
| Story ID: | 206602 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | IOWA CITY, IA, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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