Ensuring welfare in overseas communities: Mrs. D’Arcy Neller hosts Marine spouse luncheon

Photo By Sgt. Brittany A. James | D’Arcy Neller speaks about her experiences with the Marine Corps to spouses of Marines ranked E-5 and below Oct. 13 at the Ocean Breeze Enlisted Club on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The welfare of the Marines and their families is paramount to the Neller family, according to D’Arcy. D’Arcy has moved 28 times in her 41 years of marriage to her high school sweetheart, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James / Released)  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.13.2016

Story by Cpl. Brittany A. James 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

D’Arcy Neller, spouse of Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, hosted a luncheon for spouses of Marines ranked E-5 and below Oct. 10 at the Ocean Breeze Enlisted Club on Camp Foster.
The luncheon encouraged Marine Corps spouses to network and socialize with each other to discuss the morale and welfare of families on-island.
“When you are stationed overseas, your friends become your family,” said D’Arcy, an East Lansing, Michigan native. “It is important to break that comfort barrier, and reach out to meet people that are in similar situations that you are.”
D’Arcy has moved 28 times to various duty stations around the world during her 41 years of marriage to her high school sweetheart, Gen. Neller.
“I love my husband, and because of his passion for the Marine Corps, I feel it is my responsibility to look after the families of his Marines,” said D’Arcy.
More than 30 spouses attended the luncheon where they engaged in a round-table discussion about life with the Marine Corps, and spoke about their experiences and hardships.
“Leaving my immediate family back home was difficult, and moving overseas was even more difficult,” said a spouse attendee. “Sometimes my husband gets deployed, and all I am left with is myself and other spouses in the military community. I make the most of it, and going to events like this gives me a better sense of community.”
The welfare of Marines and their families is paramount to the Neller family, according to D’Arcy. They travel to bases around the world to ensure the quality of life and morale of the families is at a healthful standard.
“During this visit to Okinawa, I wanted to see the perspective from E-5 and below spouses, and I am so pleased that I did,” said D’Arcy. “My goal when visiting the bases is to connect with the families, and reassure them that we have their best interests in mind.”

• Date Taken: 10.13.2016
• Date Posted: 10.19.2016 20:50
• Story ID: 211969
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: EAST LANSING, MI, US