JOHNSTOWN —
Two wives whose husbands have had multiple deployments in the military spoke about the important role of the stay-at-home spouse at Laurel Highlands Military Spouse Appreciation Day Friday in Johnstown’s Central Park.
Amber Lenhard of Colver and Sheri Conant of Ferndale were principal speakers at the program held over the lunch hour at The Gazebo in the park.
The tribute to the wives and husbands of soldiers who are deployed on various fronts is held nationwide on the Friday before Mother’s Day.
The local observance was cosponsored by Veterans Leadership Program/Veteran Community Initiatives at the Hiram G. Andrews Center on Goucher Street in Upper Yoder Township and Wessel & Co. on Main Street in downtown Johnstown.
Lenhard’s husband, Keith, is a Navy Seabee who has been deployed three times during their more than six years of marriage. Conant’s husband, Gregory, is in the Army Reserve and has been deployed twice. Both attended Friday’s tribute.
“I am both mommy and daddy while my husband is deployed,” said Amber Lenhard.
She is an Air Force veteran, having spent six years on active duty.
She said she had three keys to her support while Keith was deployed – family, faith and friends.
“When you see a military couple, don’t forget to thank the spouse who stays at home, too,” she said.
Sheri Conant said, “I didn’t get angry that he (Gregory) was away from home, I got involved in my community and church.”
She said while soldiers are deployed, they often get involved in humanitarian missions that go unreported.
“We don’t hear about those things very much,” she said.
“No matter our views on the war the men and women may be fighting, we need to support the troops,” said Conant.
While Gregory was away, she received a lot of support from her friends, she said, noting they offered to help with various things.
Said Sheri Conant:
“Don’t be afraid to help out. Figure out what you can do and just do it.”
Most of the time, the spouse at home is reluctant to ask for any help, she noted.
The Lenhards have two children while the Conants have eight children.
The spouse who finds herself or himself at home does so much more while their military husband or wife is away, said Keith Lenhard after the program.
“I thought today’s program was fantastic,” he added.
Ed Cernic Sr., a member of the state Transportation Commission, read a proclamation from Gov. Ed Rendell designating Friday as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Johnstown Mayor Tom Trigona read the city’s proclamation.
State Rep. Bryan Barbin read a proclamation from the state House of Representatives.
Remarks were made by state Sen. John Wozniak.
Tom Caulfield, regional director of Veterans Leadership Program/Veteran Community Initiatives, said that the spouses are the backbones of deployments.
Said Bob Eyer, managing partner of Wessel & Co.:
“We are fortunate in this area to have state legislators who are so interested in the military.”
He pointed out that a cake and ice tea provided for both program participants and attendees were from BiLo Supermarket on Osborne Street in the 8th Ward.
Local News
Related Photos
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Amber Lenhard of Colver talks on Friday about the difficulties of having a spouse overseas during a program to honor military spouses at Johnstown’s Central Park. Her husband, Keith, is a Navy Seabee who has been deployed three times during their six-year marriage. Todd Berkey
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Lenhard listens as Sheri Conant talks about her husband, Gregory, who serves in the Army Reserves and has been deployed twice. Todd Berkey
Discussion
Program pays tribute to military spouses
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