.:Why I Appreciate My Spouse:.
Enlisted Winner: LCpl Howard Chandler Slanec III, MWSS-374 and wife Stephanie
I have the ultimate military wife. My wife, Stephanie Salnec, is honest, smart, committed and always goes above and beyond what is asked or expected of her. When I married Stephanie, she had the tough task of moving across the country and away from her job, college, friends, family members and everything she knew. Although this seems like a tough task for some, she has embraced Twentynine Palms with enthusiasm and admiration. In the time that my wife has lived here, she has participated in programs such as LINKS, LINKS CAX, PII and the Family Readiness Volunteer Program. It only took her a short while to get involved and to even go the extra step in becoming my unit’s Family Readiness Assistant. Not only has she adapted quickly to being a new Marine wife herself, but she now also assists other new wives by giving them tours of the base, handing out welcome packets, helping them get set up here, and most of all, offering her friendship. I know being a military wife can be challenging at times. There are many days and nights that we spend apart and times when we cannot communicate at all. No matter how hard or long we’re apart, my wife is always waiting for me when I get home with arms open and my favorite dinner ready on the table.
As many of my friends and higher ups will tell you, Stephanie is always the first to lend a hand. There have been many long days that we have all wanted to forget, but those seem to be the days my wife comes through the most. Whether she's cooking me and my Marines dinner at home or bringing us food at the motor pool just to make sure we have all eaten, she always shows her support.
Stephanie is also an amazing wife at home. She is always on top of everything. I know I never have to worry about the house being cleaned, the bills being paid, taking care of our animals, cooking meals, the running around being taken care of, sending out cards and pictures to our families back home, or organizing every single thing possible. Stephanie does everything possible that she can for our home and me. She is my other half and I love her more than words could ever express. There are only so many ways I can say thank you to her, but my wife deserves to know just how much I love and appreciate all that she does.
