10-05-2025
Military Spouse Appreciation Day ceremony salutes family connections
Stephanie Krumenacker grew up expecting to have a military career.
Her parents, grandfathers and paternal great-grandfather all served.
But Krumenacker's goal never came to fruition, leaving her not knowing what to do with herself as she 'had built my identity around the plan to be in the military.'
But now, she carries out a different important role, taking care of her children and life in Portage, as her husband, SSG Jonathan Krumenacker, serves in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He is currently three months into a Middle East deployment.
'I take my role seriously to ensure my command is the home front so my husband can stay focused on his mission front,' said Stephanie Krumenacker when speaking Friday at Veteran Community Initiatives' 16th annual Military Spouse Appreciation Day ceremony.
She talked about their lives together from being high school sweethearts who have been married for 19 years now to family, friends, church and their shared passion for playing hockey.
'With him being deployed, it's not helping with him wanting to get back on the ice because it's so hot where he's at,' she said. 'He'll be home soon enough to swap his boots and gear to get back on the ice again.'
The event, held at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial in downtown Johnstown, recognized contributions made by the spouses who VCI President and CEO Tom Caulfield referred to as a 'most unheralded group.'
'May we take a moment to pause and thank the incredible individuals who stand beside those in the service, often sacrificing just as much,' said Bob Eyer, the ceremony's emcee. 'Military spouses are the quiet strength behind the nation's armed services. They're the ones who hold the family together through the deployments, the relocations, the uncertainty. And they take on the roles of caregiver, counselor, parents, sometimes both mom and dad, while managing their own careers, and goals and their dreams.'
Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Sutor.
