Honoring a Legacy: A Devout Advocate for Military Families
Army spouse and advocate for military families, Linda Ruth Hatcher, knew that even though she would be one voice, it would be the voice that would represent many military families. She took on the role of a military spouse, mother, mayor of enlisted housing at two Army posts, and volunteer to heart. Her tireless efforts to enhance the quality of life for military families caught the eye of our Association back in 1994, and even in her passing in 2022, she secured ways to support the military families that served with her and those that now follow.
Advocacy Work
In 1994, Linda received a call from our Association asking if she would speak on behalf of military families to the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC when Defense Agency Commissary benefits were at risk. Unsure of what to expect, she knew one thing was for sure—she knew the stories of enlisted families, those who lived paycheck to paycheck.
From her testimony regarding safeguarding Commissary benefits:
“In the case of junior enlisted families, people run out of money before the end of the month…the savings benefit provided by the commissary is the single most effective means of ensuring that families on a tight budget can afford to eat well.”
“Commissary savings often offset a big portion of the economic trauma that military families experience when relocating, and they provide a constant and stabilizing feeling of home.”
Three decades later, we are still using stories like the one Linda shared—a reminder that the work of supporting military families is far from over.
Unwavering Commitment to Military Families
NMFA’s mission to stand up for military families would not be possible without the unwavering support of our friends and partners. We are profoundly grateful to Linda, who chose to be one of our supporters. At a local level, she was found volunteering at her installation hospitals and chapels, serving as a mentor for Girl Scouts as a Brownie Troop leader, and continuing to share the knowledge she had as a military spouse of over 25 years.
Her legacy of generosity and championing the military family voice now lives on through her family, who continue to support our cause with the same dedication. Their ongoing support in Linda’s honor helps sustain our work and inspires us to reach new heights in our service to the military community.
As we remember Linda on the second anniversary of her passing, let us be inspired to follow her acts of service before self and to be the change-makers we all want to see. In doing so, we not only honor her but also ensure the quality of life of every military family is never compromised.
Ready to make an impact on military families? Share your story below or partner with us to ensure they have the support they need to thrive in any part of their military journey.
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
