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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- "Although Norma's ability to put up with me and our modest life is reason enough for her to be recognized, it is her devotion to our marriage that makes her truly praiseworthy," wrote Sgt. Christopher Baz, one of four winners of the Spouses' Essay award. "Her work ethic, dedication to her studies and community involvement make her truly amazing."
Four Marines and their spouses each won a $125 gift certificate to the Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel after dozens of Marines submitted essays describing why their spouse is amazing in a contest sponsored by the Lifestyles, Insights, Networking, Know- ledge and Skills program with Marine Corps Family Team Building.
"When I wrote the essay I pretty much just bragged about my wife," said Lance Cpl. Howard Slanec, a refueler for Fuel Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374. "She found it on the computer and she was in tears, but she was crying because she was happy."
The only criteria to submit an essay was for the Marine to be active duty, all ranks were encouraged to participate.
Baz, an instructor for Company B, Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School, and his wife, Norma, won the certificates after Baz wrote about how he married her right after recruit training and how she works tirelessly for herself and her family.
"The military spouse rarely recognizes their own sacrifice," said Amber Bilderain, a L.I.N.K.S trainer. "They perform the day-to-day duties of a spouse without realizing the larger scope of their efforts and the effect that has on the mission. In the high deployment tempo that our base operates at, our spouses' hard work and dedication can sometimes go unnoticed."
When Baz wrote the essay, he did not tell his wife until he submitted the final copy to L.I.N.K.S.
"Writing the essay made me feel really happy," said Baz, a Bend, Ore., native. "As I was writing, I started remembering the little things I had forgotten."
Norma, also from Bend, Ore., was highlighted in the essay as a selfless volunteer who spends her time helping others at Copper Mountain College, the American Red Cross and as a nurse's aide doing private in-home care for the elderly.
"I felt appreciated when I was reading all those things from my husband," Norma said. "My favorite part was the introduction when he flashbacked to when we got married."
L.I.N.K.S trainers plan to make the Spouses' Essay an annual event every May when they celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
The winners of the spouses'essay were Lance Cpl. Dekoda Wise and Lee Wise, Lance Cpl. Howard Slanec and Stephanie Slanec, Staff Sgt. Leroy O'Quinn and Elizabeth O'Quinn and Sgt. Christopher Baz and Norma Baz.
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2009 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 37818 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 137 |
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