Members of the Navy Wives Club of America gathered for a dual purpose Saturday on the Seaplane Base of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

End of an era
The first reason for the gathering was to say goodbye to the end of an era.
For nearly 30 years, the group’s meeting room was at the top of a narrow flight of stairs in Building 49.

Not only were group meetings held there, the room was used for other club functions such as a regular scrapbooking location, and as a workroom when the club would put together its annual Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets for enlisted Navy families.

Because it holds no historical significance, Building 49 is scheduled for demolition sometime next year, according to Navy Public Affairs Officer Kimberly Martin.

That means members of the Navy Wives Club are out of a permanent home. The group now meets in the Red Cross room in Building 22.

“The room is fine, but it’s not ours,” said NWCA Whidbey Island 150 president Betty Glein. “We can’t hang our plaques or display our trophies or all the other things we’ve collected over the last 50 years.”

“They’ve given us a storage room so we can put our history books and other things in there,” said the group’s vice president, Barbara Mann. “But it’s not the same, because it’s a Red Cross room. It doesn’t feel like home.”

While it may be hard to say goodbye to the group’s longtime home, others see it as an opportunity for growth.

“It’s an old building, and I know it was difficult for some members to get up the stairs,” acknowledged Cristal Wilkerson, NWCA Northwest Regional president.

“But now, by getting a more modern, accessible meeting room, they’ll get more exposure with Fleet and Family and with the ombudsmen,” she continued. “So maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.”

Surprise
While the official reason for Saturday’s gathering was to say goodbye to the building, the local group had an ulterior motive — to bestow life member status upon Glein, who has been a part of Navy Wives since 1974.

“She just knows about the farewell ceremony,” said group chaplain Jean Wieman. “She has no idea what we’ve schemed.”

Glein was clearly stunned as group members presented her with the lifetime member certificate, and broke down in tears as the more than 30 people in attendance, including members from other NWCA groups, family members and friends, applauded.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen Betty speechless,” quipped group treasurer Debbie Garcia.

“Can you do this without my approval?” Glein joked.

“It’s a very special honor being made a life member,” explained Wilkerson. “It’s usually based on what a member has done locally for the club and for their years of service.”

Being made a life member means Glein’s name will go on the national NWCA rolls forever.

Perks of being a life member include not having to pay annual dues ever again ­— the local club covers those from now on. In addition to a certificate, Glein will receive a special pin, which is an honor in the organization.

“Our pins mean something to us,” said Wilkerson.

Local members had only words of praise for Glein and what she’s done for the organization.

“She loves Navy Wives heart and soul,” said Diana Hamilton, a member of NWCA since 1978. “She’s been a mentor to me and she’s everything you could ask for in a friend.”

“If anybody believes in a cause and what Navy Wives is all about, it’s her,” agreed another longtime member, Mary Mahoney.

“She means so much to everybody,” said Mann. “She’s put her heart and soul into this club.”

A member since 1995, Lenore Voit said Glein has always been there to offer support and encouragement to the group.

“She really believes in the ideals of the organization and helping our military families,” Voit said.

For her part, Glein said she was overwhelmed, and said it meant so much to her because it made her feel she’d earned her fellow members’ respect.

“I’ve been president many times, but it never was a power thing,” said Glein. “I just wanted my friends to respect me.”

Saying the organization has kept her going both emotionally and physically many times over the years, Glein still worries about the future of the Navy Wives Club.

“I just want to see our organization grow,” she said. “We need growth.”