Aviano spouse named Air Force Spouse of the Year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  A 31st Communications Squadron spouse was recently presented with the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award during a special ceremony in Washington D.C.

Melanie Huk, wife of Senior Master Sgt. Edward Huk, 31st CS, was presented the award by Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force; Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Robert Largent, Air Force Association Chairman of the Board.

"I'm incredibly honored and humbled to have received this award," said Mrs. Huk. "My husband and I were in the car on a trip when his commander called and told us that I was selected. We were both in tears. It was just so shocking to win at Air Force-level."

Sergeant Huk, who is currently deployed, submitted his wife of 10 years for the award after witnessing the countless volunteer hours she dedicated to the Aviano community.

"Melanie poured her heart and soul into the Aviano Community Enlisted Spouses Club as the president and into the 31st Communications Squadron as a key spouse," he said. "I nominated her because she doesn't do it for the recognition; she does it for her love of the Air Force and in support of me. Putting her in for this award was the least I could do."

During 2007, Mrs. Huk volunteered 670 hours within the Aviano community while working full time half the year and raising two children. She presided over the Aviano Community Enlisted Spouses Club, which includes about 65 members and services a base community of more than 6,000. Projects under her leadership included a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk that netted more than $5,300 for the Susan G. Komen fund; wing spring bazaar that raised more than $78,000 for base organizations to put back into the base community, and numerous other base events.

As a 31st CS key spouse, Mrs. Huk helped augment the unit first sergeant with 195 military spouses within the unit giving a voice to their concerns. She supported 58 deployed members' spouses by making weekly calls and helping them handle any issues they faced. She also developed a quarterly newsletter to keep the unit spouses informed.

Other volunteer efforts included organizing three give-parents-a-break nights for spouses of deployed members, heading a community clothing drive for a local orphanage and toy drive for Iraqi children, organizing a medical supply drive for Haiti after Hurricane Noel, heading a burger-burn fundraiser for the U.S. Air Force Villages Indigent Widow's Fund, coaching a youth basketball team, overseeing several holiday events and more.

"Melanie's contributions to our community and the Air Force have been extraordinary," said Cassandra Belton, former ACES president. "Not only is Melanie a dear friend and fantastic mother, but a valuable asset to our base. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition."

Amongst her time spent as a volunteer and mother, Mrs. Huk also found the time to earn 12 credit hours toward her Associates Degree in Information Technology.

"Melanie epitomizes the ideal Air Force spouse," said Sergeant Huk. "She's an outstanding mother, incredible wife and is as much a member of the U.S. Air Force as I am. Her selflessness and dedication is a model to all. ... and Melanie does all of these amazing things while holding down a job, and right now, as a single mother while I'm deployed.

"There are lots of other Air Force spouses out there who deserve this award for their equally amazing contributions and support, but Melanie is holding the flag for all of them this year. I love her more than I can say and am grateful for her and everything she does."
Mrs. Huk added that while she is honored to have received this prestigious award, that it would not have been possible without the love and support of her family and friends.

"No success is an individual achievement," she said. "... it's through the support of others. I just want to thank my husband, my family, Cassandra and fellow ACES members, the 31st Communications Squadron and everyone else who has supported me this past year. I could not get to where I am today without your sacrifice, love and support."