WEST POINT — Following hundreds of nominations nationwide and a national vote yielding more than 23,000 votes, Amy Marson, the wife of Garrison Commander Col. Cecil Marson, has been named the 2020 Armed Forces Insurance West Point Spouse of the Year.
Amy Marson was an active duty soldier that fell in love at Fort Wainwright, and this is where her love story with the Army began. She explains that she was devastated when she was medically discharged but being married to a soldier has given her the opportunity to continue to serve the country and the soldiers who defend it. Finding strength and comfort through service to others in the communities she has lived in, Marson’s family has served through seven deployments, beginning at time when resources lacked for spouses of deployed soldiers.
Marson explains the importance of community involvement, “I’m thankful for positive mentorship of the spouses who poured into me, nurturing our little family, at a time when I was alone, scared, and new to not only being a military spouse but also an FRG (Family Readiness Group) leader.”
“All spouses, regardless of rank, gender, background or age, have something wonderful to offer and enrich our community with. Whether spouses are working full time, part time, or in the home, the more spouses that are involved, the lighter the load is for each of them, and the richer the relationships and possibility for connection before there is a tragedy or hardship,” she said. “I hope that through action, not words, we can inspire younger generations of military spouses to be actively involved in their family readiness groups and other activities, and to see this opportunity to serve as a great privilege.”
The West Point and Highland Falls Community have benefited from the monthly “Acts of Service” and work that Marson does through the Daughters of the U.S. Army (DUSA), including a late 2019 “Welcome Home Ceremony” for Vietnam Veterans at the Highland Falls American Legion Post. She has also organized and provided meal drives for soldiers and families in need.
Nominated by Leigh Hansbarger, “Amy is one of the spouses who cares so deeply about other people, it shows in her face, in her hugs, in her tears and radiates throughout an entire community. Being a Garrison Commander’s wife, Amy has a choice to participate in all the things the post would “require” of her, or she can do things to make a difference. To not only see change, but to do so in a way she expects nothing in return. That’s why she stands out.”
Marson is now in consideration of being named the overall winner of the contest.
