- April 26, 2024
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“It’s been a long journey,” said the pretty blonde, walking across the Granada Bridge with a 60-pound backpack on her shoulders.
Debbie Kruck’s journey has been a walk across the bridge and back every morning at 7:30 a.m. since March 29, along with Ormond Strong, a group she founded last spring to support local National Guard troops, including her husband, who deployed to Afghanistan last year for a one-year tour of duty.
Kruck’s journey over the past year has included visits to schools to allow kids a chance to write letters to the soldiers, organizing “packing parties” to fill boxes with donated items for the soldiers, and appearing about 10 times a month at events and group meetings.
Spouse of the year
Debbie Kruck was named Florida National Guard Spouse of the Year for 2016 by Military Spouse Magazine. The award was founded in 2008 to honor spouses who “maintain the home front while our service members defend this great nation,” according to the website, msoy.militaryspouse.com.
In May, Kruck will have the opportunity to attend an awards luncheon in Washington, D.C.
Kruck says she is not the typical military spouse. Not having children, she has more time to take part in activities.
As Ormond Strong walks the bridge, they carry an American Flag and a Vietnam War service flag that wave in the breeze. The walkers are greeted by almost constant horn blowing and waving hands from drivers passing by.
Kruck said she has a feeling that when they walk, they put a shield around the soldiers in the far-away country, protecting them from harm. Ormond Strong has also been a support group, when she hears about soldiers dying overseas.
Kruck vowed to walk each morning until the soldiers return, now expected by the end of March.
“She has never missed a day,” said her mother, Sandy Pooler, who often joins her. “She’s been so focused and driven. It’s amazing what she has accomplished. Some people didn’t even know there were local soldiers in Afghanistan. People are much more aware.”
A special focus of Ormond Strong has been to honor Vietnam vets, who Kruck says did not get the appreciation they deserved after the war. She said the Vietnam vets got a standing ovation during the Ormond Beach Christmas Parade.
“It’s amazing what she has accomplished.”
SANDY POOLER, on her daughter, leader of Ormond Strong
Kruck said she never knew she was strong enough to carry a 60-pound “rucksack,” as she calls it, every morning. It’s 30 pounds lighter than the ones carried by the soldiers.
The burden will be lifted when the soldiers return, but Ormond Strong will continue. Later in the spring, they plan to have a walk with the returned soldiers. They also plan to help them get jobs.
The Ormond Lakes Spring Fling on Feb. 13 had a military theme, and money raised by admission and a silent auction went to Ormond Strong.
There was an opening ceremony by Ormond Strong, games for kids, letter writing to soldiers, food and a baking contest.
Each year, the Ormond Lakes event benefits a different charity. Organizer Leann Alexander said they took survey of residents this year and decided to support the deployed troops.
