Saber spouse wins USAFE award Published March 16, 2010 By Senior Airman Clay Murray 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Spangdahlem Air Base spouse community hosts many different programs that support Airmen, their spouses and other dependents. Programs like the spouses' call, Spouse 2 Spouse and Sew Much Comfort aid Airmen and spouses, in turn supporting the mission. One Spangdahlem spouse who has helped develop and grow these programs is Mara Wight, wife of Col. Tip Wight, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, and winner of the USAFE Joan Orr award that pays tribute to the wife of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr. The 2010 Joan Orr award honors significant contributions made by non-military spouses of Air Force military members, according to the Air Force Personnel Center. Mrs. Wight is most proud of the Spouse 2 Spouse program, spouse calls, and the wing-wide Web site, programs that were conceived by Mrs. Wight and implemented by both her and other spouses from the community. Some programs created at Spangdahlem have reached beyond the gates of the base and bloomed in other Air Force communities. "Other bases worldwide have taken notice of Spangdahlem," said Holly Cope, a senior spouse who is stationed at Buechel Air Base with her husband, Chief Master Sgt. Joel Cope. "High-ranking folks have commented on the base and programs that we do - some of those a first in the whole Air Force, and this speaks volumes about (Mrs. Wight's) contributions and commitment to the Air Force and its families." "Certainly, one of the many reasons why I love my 'job' as a military spouse is the feeling that I too am part of the Air Force mission," said Mrs. Wight. "My involvement matters because I have an impact on my surrounding community." The Spouse 2 Spouse program at Spangdahlem helps spouses connect with one another and local programs while learning how to tackle the challenges of overseas assignments, Mrs. Wight said. "It helps create a bond between spouses and gives them a feeling of belonging to the community while showing them how they can positively contribute to their personal improvement and that of the wing," she added. Mrs. Wight is also a proponent of the spouses' call. This bridges all the ranks and mentors spouses of all ages and provides pertinent information to be an effective spouse, Mrs. Wight said. The wing-wide spouse Web site, run by Mrs. Wight and the spouses, is a one-stop shop for information. If someone is not part of a larger spouse group, they can access this to fill that information gap, Mrs. Wight said. "It's also a unique and powerful tool for all active duty who supervise Airmen with families as it gives them an understanding for what programs and activities are available for families," Mrs. Wight said. "They are able to advise their subordinates on spouse programs and opportunities." The Joan Orr Award is an Air Force wide competition, and the selected winners speak volumes about the awardees and their communities, Mrs. Cope said. "It's profound that a spouse from our base was recognized with this award," Mrs. Cope added. "Spangdahlem wasn't even on the map last year in terms of a spouse recognized from our base. She put Spangdahlem on the map." As the winner of the USAFE 2010 Joan Orr award, Mrs. Wight will progress to the next competition level where she will contend with other major command winners.