Meet new Spouse Representative Lydia Koh!
The Foundation's newest volunteer brings years of active duty, civil servant and military spouse support experience to her role as Foundation Spouse Representative. Married to CDR Robert Salire for more than six years, Lydia is a Supply spouse currently stationed in Bremerton, WA.
Recently Foundation Communications Director Tara Ann Neville caught up with Lydia to discuss her new role and how she wants to serve the Community. Read the interview below:
| Comm Director: | TELL US ABOUT YOUR REALTIONSHIP WITH THE SUPPLY CORPS. |
| LYDIA: | I worked with Navy Supply Officers during my joint tour in Korea while I was serving as an active-duty Army Logistics Officer. And I worked with Navy SEALs and Navy Supply Officers at the Naval Special Warfare Center and Naval Supply Systems Command while I was working as a federal service employee. My husband has been in the Navy for over 19 years, and we have one year old cocker spaniel, named Hershey. |
| Comm Director: | WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE FOUNDATION? |
| LYDIA: | During my active-duty time in the Army, I had a great respect for military families and spouses. Now that I became one, I appreciate the sacrifices of the family even more. My passion to help other spouses and family members has grown over the years. |
| Comm Director: | WHAT ARE THE GREATEST BENEFITS TO BEING A MILITARY OR SUPPLY SPOUSE? |
| LYDIA: | Those multiple PCS moves benefit us in many ways. We get to explore different cultures, food, and people around the world. We get to expand our network, live in different climates, make a fresh new start with every move, and we get to declutter our garage or storage each PCS! |
| Comm Director: | WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FACING MILITARY SPOUSES TODAY? |
| LYDIA: | One of the biggest challenges for the Junior Officer spouses is their active-duty spouses having to go on sea tours. The time apart from eachother can put a strain on family connections and job security. The demand on Navy Supply Corps officers (or military, in general) to move every couple years challenges all of us in our everyday lives. |
| Comm Director: | HOW CAN THE FOUNDATION BETTER SUPPORT SUPPLY SPOUSES? |
| LYDIA: | In today’s information age, making access to information more easily available and creating a tighter network amongst spouses is crucial. |
| Comm Director: | HOW CAN MILITARY MEMBERS BETTER SUPPORT SPOUSES? |
| LYDIA: | Communicate with us about personal, family, and professional goals, as well as those the Navy puts upon the active duty member. And share all resources or opportunities available to spouses so they can grow in their role as a military spouse and as an individual (i.e., scholarships, volunteer work, etc.). |
| Comm Director: | HOW CAN SPOUSES SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER? |
| LYDIA: | One way is through the Foundation Chapters. We can connect to one another and share our experiences, skills, and knowledge on topics that we all relate to. |
| Comm Director: | WHAT ARE YOUR TOP GOALS AS THE FOUNDATION SPOUSE REPRESENTATIVE? |
| LYDIA: | My goal is to create an outlet for spouses to connect just as our active-duty members do within the Navy Supply Corps. I'd like to build on the Foundation platform to share family resources, professional resources, community or installation programs and services, and fun family activities. |
Want to join a Fun Bunch? Or start one in your area. It's easy!
Is there a Fun Bunch in your area? Would you like to start one? These are not official spouses' clubs but are loosely organized groups associated with Foundtion Chapters, open to all spouses of active duty, retired and deceased Supply Corps officers, with an emphasis on fun. Sharing experiences, getting to know each other and the community, and establishing or renewing friendships are all encouraged. It just takes a little initiative on a few individuals' parts to call together some spouses and start spreading the word. Hampton Roads, Hawaii, Mechanicsburg and San Diego all have active groups meeting at this time. You can find links to these clubs on their respective Chapter pages on the Navy Supply Corps Foundation website.
For more information about getting a Fun Bunch started in your area, contact Executive Director Dan Pionk at executivedirector@usnscf.com .
For more information about getting a Fun Bunch started in your area, contact Executive Director Dan Pionk at executivedirector@usnscf.com .
Helpful links... 
Many retailers and online sites offer great discounts for military members and their families. Many restaurants participate in discount programs as well. Be sure to ask everywhere you shop and dine to see if they offer a military dicsount - it could save you hundreds of dollars each year!Foundation bids farewell to Spouse Representative Gracie Dziewiatkowski
After serving our Members more than five years, Gracie has decided to stepdown from her role as spouse representative with ever-growing family responsibilities
in mind. “I am so grateful to have been associated with the Foundation
since the end of 2016 after relieving Tracy Pimpo, and even prior to that as Jack’s
administrative assistant,” said Gracie. “What a blessing the Supply Corps Community
has been in my life!"
Read more about Gracie in the Spring 2022 issue of The Oakleaf.