Outstanding Family Support Earns Recognition

  • Published
  • By SSgt Lealan Buehrer
  • 182nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
February 2, 2013 --  On Feb. 2, 2013, Mrs. Susan Webb and Mrs. Margaret Miller were presented awards by 182nd Airlift Wing Commander Col. William Robertson and Brig. Gen. William Cobetto, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Illinois National Guard, during the commander's call at the Peoria Air National Guard Base. The awards were quite a surprise to the women. They had only been briefed to arrive at the assembly to receive a commander's coin from Col. Robertson. Instead, Mrs. Webb was given the Elizabeth Armstrong Award and Mrs. Miller was given the Illinois Military Spouse of the Year Award. They were awarded for their extraordinary service to joint State and National family readiness programs and for their perseverance to the 182nd Airlift Wing family through their volunteer work with the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.

Mrs. Amy Quimby is the Airman & Family Readiness Program Manager at the 182nd Airlift Wing. She administers the programs that Susan and Margaret dutifully promote and maintain, and is very proud to work with such outstanding examples of service member spouses. "As with any volunteer but especially with these two women they live the motto 'Mission First, Family Always'. They are always ready and reliable and believe in integrity, service, and excellence," said Mrs. Quimby.

Susan Webb is the wife of MSgt. Kenneth Webb of the 182nd Maintenance Squadron and was awarded for her dedicated support to the Illinois National Guard Family Program. She has been married to MSgt. Webb for 31 years. She is also the mother of two 182nd Airlift Wing members. Throughout her years of service, Mrs. Webb has earned a reputation for being constantly outgoing and upbeat. As denoted by Mrs. Quimby, she is known for portraying a positive and professional attitude while navigating the life of a military spouse and parent. For her dedication in service, she was voted the 2009 United States Air Force Military Spouse of the Year by Military Spouse Magazine and the USAA. With over 150 hours of volunteer service in the last year, Mrs. Webb also volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce, Blue Star Mothers, and Easter Seals. As part of her volunteer work with the Illinois Air National Guard, Mrs. Webb makes monthly outreach and morale calls to deployed families, provides administrative assistance in the 182nd Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, and helps execute the installation's Youth Mock Deployments. Additionally, Mrs. Webb assisted in the development of the 182nd Airlift Wing Family Readiness 101 Course for new family members at the 182nd Airlift Wing, which she also occasionally leads.

Margaret Miller is the wife of Senior Master Sergeant Aaron Miller. She has been married to SMSgt. Miller for over 20 years and is also the parent of a 182nd Airlift Wing member. Mrs. Miller is especially unique in that she is always willing to share her experiences with other military families and spouses, according to Mrs. Quimby. She provides exceptional guidance to families through dealing with the special circumstances of living in a military family. Mrs. Miller delivers expertise by leading the 182nd Airlift Wing Family Readiness 101 class four times a year. With over 135 volunteer hours in the last year, Mrs. Miller also volunteers in making monthly outreach and morale calls to deployed families and also provides administrative assistance at the 182nd Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center. Simultaneously, she is responsible for ensuring Airman and Family Readiness Center materials are updated with current information prior to presentation at briefings.