FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Pvt. Maya Marshall, a 25-year old transportation management coordinator assigned to the 149th Seaport Operations Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, recently spent time with her mother, Barbara Marshall, in Fayetteville, N.C., during the filming of a two-hour special edition of Extreme Home Makeover set to air Oct. 21 on ABC.
Ms. Marshall is a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander who spent her career as a chaplain. Upon retiring from the Navy, Ms. Marshall began assisting homeless women veterans and their children with her organization, Steps N Stages. Initially she opened her own home to those in need. When it became apparent more room was needed to help the veterans and their families, she purchased a second house, naming it the Jubilee House. It is this house that recently received a makeover courtesy of Ty Pennington and his team of experts at Extreme Home Makeover.
Standing before leaders of the 11th Transportation Battalion (Over the Shore) is the husband and wife NCO team of Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Latch, first sergeant of the 159th Seaport Operations Company, and Staff Sgt. Carmelita Latch, platoon sergeant of the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment. The couple listens to words of praise and well wishes July 22 at the Lighthouse Café Dining Facility on Joint Expeditionary Base-Fort Story as they embark on their new duty station of Fort Hood, Texas.
"Every unit needs a Latch," said Lt. Col. John Broomhead, battalion commander. "Their professionalism and commitment to the mission is unsurpassed, they will be missed," he said while pressing a battalion coin into the palm of each NCO, and wishing them success at Fort Hood.
Originally a combat arms Soldier, Stephen changed his Military Occupational Specialty to transportation and never looked back. The 32-year old Little Rock, Ark., native enlisted into the Army in 1997.
"I learned a valuable life lesson during my time at Fort Story," he said. "I'm glad I was able to be a part of a transportation unit. I value my experience here and the outstanding leadership. The Transportation Corps holds a special place for me."
It was during MOS reclass training at Fort Eustis that Stephen met Carmelita. The NCOs attended school together with neither of them having any idea they would wind up being stationed together at 11th Trans. Bn.; let alone one day marrying each other.
Carmelita, a 36-year old Virginia Beach native who enlisted into the Army in 2003, shared her astonishment at finding out she and Stephen were off to the same unit upon completion of their training.
"We were both surprised when we found out we were going to Fort Story," she said. "During our time here we deployed for one year (2009 to 2010) with the 159th SOC and together we were inducted into the Audie Murphy Club."
Strength in numbers rings true for this NCO team. Induction into the Audie Murphy Club is no small feat. It is Army NCOs who display exceptional leadership combined with a high-level of performance, who embody the NCO Corps "Be" "Know" "Do" professional spirit, which embody the AMC.
Truly every unit needs a Latch, or two, as proven by the example of Stephen and Carmelita Latch, Over the Shore NCOs whose dedication to duty, unit loyalty and nonstop professionalism contributed to the success of the Over the Shore battalion and the Army's NCO corps. Though moving on to Fort Hood, the team will never be far away from their Over the Shore family.
"I appreciate everything everyone has done for me and appreciate all of you who have been there for me," said Carmelita. "Look me up. I'll still be here for the unit; I'm only a phone call away."