Magazine Salutes Local Navy Spouse

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Martinez | Rosalyn Mendez (right), winner of Military Spouse Magazine's "Military Spouse of the Year" for NSA Bethesda, poses with her husband Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Hector Mendez. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Julio Martinez Martinez/Released)  

BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

05.03.2018

Story by Andrew Damstedt 

Naval Support Activity Bethesda

Serving others is something that comes natural to Rosalyn Mendez.


First while serving eight years in the U.S. Navy and now as a military spouse, Mendez has always found ways to help others, whether it’s her family, fellow command members or even sea turtles.


“I’ve always been someone who at every command, [is] constantly doing things in the community,” she said.



She was selected as the Military Spouse of the Year to represent Naval Support Activity Bethesda by Military Spouse Magazine. Her husband, Hector Mendez, who works for Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor, nominated her for the award.


“She’s supported me at every command I’ve been at,” he said. “The last 10 years, she’s been the ombudsman at last two commands, HSC9 [Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Nine] and Naval Air Technical Training Center. She’s done a lot of community work and conservation in the Pensacola region. Everywhere we go, she’s making an impact.”


As ombudsman, she said she learned how to help other military spouses get through the complex military system she learned to navigate by herself.


“[For] a lot of new spouses coming in – ones who haven’t been deployed – I try to be that person that goes ‘I’ve been there and you’re not by yourself,’” Mendez said.


Mendez volunteers in the community wherever they live. She’s helped out local Girl Scouts, parent teacher associations and spent three years working with an organization to help protect sea turtles and their nests.


One of the biggest challenges as a military spouse, Mendez said, is the constant change – such as moving to different commands. Sometimes the service member is deployed and the spouse is left to do it by themselves, she said, and moving can be tough on children.


But while moving is a challenge, Mendez said traveling and meeting new people is one of the things she most enjoys about military life.






“The weird thing is, is you don’t realize how small the world is,” she said. “I think that’s pretty amazing – the family that you make in military life.”


Mendez said military spouses often go unrecognized, so she hopes more spouses get nominated for the award. While she didn’t move on to represent the Navy at a May 9 gala, she said she’s excited to meet fellow nominees and past winners and find out who will be named the overall Military Spouse Magazine of the Year.


Mendez said while she doesn’t serve for the recognition, she she’s grateful to know her service is seen as important by others.


“It’s nice because people are recognizing you and seeing what you’re doing,” she said.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2018
• Date Posted: 05.04.2018 13:43
• Story ID: 275724
• Location: BETHESDA, MD, US