NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — In the military, you sign up for a life like none other. There’s the long deployments, moves every few years, and joyful reunions after long absences.
Often times the silent strength for the family and community comes from the spouse, who really becomes a hero at home.
Truth be told, all of the nominees for Military Spouse of the Year are special because these are the faces of service to family and country.
But on Thursday, the focus was on a mother of two from Colorado, whose husband is a structural mechanic at NAS Oceana.
“As a volunteer we never ask for recognition. But once in a while it’s good to get a ‘Hey good job! Thank you all very much.’ ”
You get a sense that Vanessa Watts is not comfortable talking about herself, turning her attention instead to others like her.
“If you didn’t make friends out here, we wouldn’t have anybody. You rely on those people to babysit for you when you have to go somewhere, to pick up a child when you’re sick and you have other obligations,” Watt said.
Vanessa Watts belongs to a long list of organizations, but most importantly she’s a Hero at Home.
“It’s nice to see someone get appreciated for something she worked so hard for,” said Vanessa’s husband, Daniel Watts Jr..
But to Vanessa Watts, it’s not about standing out, but helping others fit in.
And Vanessa’s newfound recognition has earned her and her husband a week-long vacation with cash and other prizes.
Now she and her husband just have to find the time.
