Deanna Remillard

Share your military spouse story:
I met my husband through mutual friends in 2000, when we were just 19 and freshmen in college, before he had any affiliation with the military. After 9/11, he felt called to serve and signed up for ROTC at Cornell University. After his master's graduation in 2004, he left New York to start his job as a staff Physical Therapist at Fort Knox. I didn't want to leave my job, my friends, and my family just yet, but when he proposed in 2005, I joined him in Louisville and have been with him ever since. I don't think anyone knows exactly what they are getting into with this military life, but I got a quick introduction when he deployed in 2007, just a year after we were married. People told me that the community is what makes the military great and during that deployment, I found that to be the truth. The spouses and Soldiers that supported me while he was gone became my close friends who I still keep in touch with more than 15 years later. No one in my immediate family had served in the military, so I didn't have a frame of reference for what the lifestyle would be. I could have never imagined what our life together would be like, and before he joined the military, I never dreamed of living in 8 states or having a baby in Alaska. It has been an amazing (and hard at times!) adventure, but one that has opened my eyes and has introduced me to amazing people everywhere we've been. I've learned to adapt and overcome the presented challenges and to really let the small stuff go.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I came to leadership in the military community slowly and somewhat hesitantly, as I maintained my professional identity as a CPA for many years after getting married. After our 2 boys were born, I looked for other ways to be fulfilled and give back to our adopted communities. We moved to Fort Stewart where a fellow Mom mentioned that the Spouses Club needed a treasurer. "I'm an accountant, I may be able to help," I responded. I served 2 years as their treasurer, and found it incredibly rewarding. Not only did I make friends and build community, I was able to see the powerful effect that a group of spouses coming together for a single cause could do, particularly in awarding scholarships and grants. After moving to Fort Knox, a neighbor from Ft. Stewart recruited me to the Spouses Club board as the scholarships chair. This year, I've stepped into the role of President. It is not 100% in my comfort zone, but the relationships I've built will leave a lasting impact.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I am currently serving as the President of the Fort Knox Spouses and Community Club. Through this position, I have built relationships with people in many different agencies and businesses, both on and off post. We have brainstormed and worked together to support programs, raise money, and bring awareness to community members of local issues concerning military families. We supported the local Santa's Workshop Program with donations and volunteers from our membership as well as the local branch of Feeding America by packing food for backpacks for local children and the elderly. I also attend the monthly newcomer's orientation to share information about our club and how new spouses can get involved in the community and "find their people". In my previous position as scholarships chair, I had the opportunity to present scholarship awards to high school students at their Senior Nights, and it was so rewarding to see the impact of our fundraising and community building efforts.

Describe how you support your community:
This year as President of the Spouses Club, my motto is "Find Your People." I aim to make the club a space where anyone is welcome and can come to find a friend. We have a variety of over 15 different sub-clubs where you can try something new, explore the area, or spend time with people who enjoy the same things you do. The military spouse community is full of people who have unique talents, knowledge, and experiences that can be applied to many different situations. I truly believe that military spouses could solve any problem thrown at them, especially when working together. Sometimes people just need a push or encouragement. As a club, we are also on track to award over $30,000 in scholarships and community grants. These grants will support our local community in many domains - from children and family support programs to Veteran support services and beyond. Military dependents often are at a disadvantage and our scholarship program helps high schoolers and spouses alike.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am passionate about making a space where anyone is welcome. No matter your background or interests, how many kids you have, or whether you attended college, you can find some common ground with others. I have been able to strengthen relationships with fellow club members through planning fundraisers and social events, but also through attending sub-club events. It makes my heart soar to see photos of a group of members playing pickleball or exploring a local trail in our hiking club. Taking the time to build relationships and use your talents can often make or break an assignment. It is always worth finding a purpose in something you enjoy or have a passion about.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
As a representative of the Spouses Club, I initiated the Club's presence at the monthly Newcomer's Orientation to speak with spouses and Soldiers who have just arrived at our installation. I provide information about our events and fundraisers at the quarterly Community Information Exchange, as well as to the Senior Commander's Ready and Resilient Council. I also sit on committees across post, including the Physical Resilience work group and the Main Exchange and Commissary Council. I have attended local Chamber of Commerce meetings to share our mission and events. Each of these venues provides a broader community awareness for our charitable causes and opportunities to bring all members of the Fort Knox Community together.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As the AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I would love to share my experience in stepping out of my comfort zone and getting involved with my local community. The frequent moves involved with being a military family is why I brought the "Find Your People" mantra to the Fort Knox Spouses and Community Club. De-stigmatizing the Spouses Club to bring all community members together to strengthen and support each other can open doors and reduce the stress inherent to our adopted lifestyle. Whether just cooking a meal for a neighbor in need, or finding others that share a common hobby, we can all benefit from breaking down that initial barrier when arriving on a new installation. Getting involved and volunteering, though not always a smooth road, has brought so much meaning and fulfillment to my life. This military life can be crazy and full of uncertainty, but there is always a way you can make a difference to someone or build lifelong relationships if you can step up "Find Your People".