On Dec. 5, Fort Liberty leaders named the Family of the Year during a ceremony at the Main Post Chapel. Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator Alice Stephens emceed; she has organized everything behind the scenes for 18 of the event’s 22 years. The 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus performed “God Bless America” and a heartfelt rendition of “Lean On Me.” Chaplain Col. Jay Outen gave the invocation, inviting God to watch over not only the families being honored that evening but all Fort Liberty families. In his final public appearance as Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue reiterated that “here at the center of the military universe,” as he referred to Fort Liberty, the Airborne Corps has two jobs: to protect the nation and to take care of its people. These families not only supported its military member, but they were involved with the unit, other military families and the wider community.
Each year, unit leaders on Fort Liberty nominate families from their unit to be considered for Family of the Year. The families put together packets of their involvement with other families in the unit, activities on base and volunteer work in Fayetteville. Board members whittle the pool of families down to 16, all of which are invited to the ceremony. The field is again narrowed to the five top families and one finalist family is selected from the five.
Top honors this year went to:
• Sgt. Maj. Scott Chapman II, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, DIVARTY, 82nd Airborne Division, spouse Melinda; children Triston, Giulianna, Keira, Abigail and Elijah
The four remaining top five families in alphabetical order are:
• Chaplain Cpt. Euy Cho, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, spouse Eun Sung; children: David and Daniel
• First Sgt. Gregg Kimbell, 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, spouse Daisy; child Angelina
• Sgt. Johnathan Lovegren, A Co., 189th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, spouse Amanda; children Athena and Ares
• Chaplain Cpt. Andrew Lowe, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2-319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne DIVARTY, 82nd Airborne Division, spouse Alexandria; children Dominic and Allen

In addition to a plaque commemorating the Chapmans recognition as the 2024 Fort Liberty Family of the Year, they also received a red poinsettia and a stocking full of snacks. Each family chose a single word to describe the essence of their interactions and motivations. The Chapmans chose “versatile” because they meet the demanding schedules of two careers, five kids, volunteer efforts and deployments. Sgt. Maj. Chapman said of his family, the effort “has only strengthened our bond and love for each other.” The family is involved in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Fayetteville, Melinda is a Family Readiness Group advisor and this year the family collected donations to send to our still-suffering neighbors in the western mountains of the state. Their eldest son is a U.S. Army Reserve member.
Following the ceremony, guests moved outside for the Christmas festivities being held at the Main Post Parade Field. The 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus added some cadences and Christmas carols to their evening’s repertoire. Cookies and hot chocolate were available for the kids while food trucks and beer and wine tents served the needs of their parents. The U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, provided swirling, sparkling white Christmas lights as they surfed the air from plane to ground. Santa and Mrs. Clause arrived to the tune of the 82nd Chorus singing “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and the Chapman’s youngest girl flipped the lever that lit the posts’ main Christmas tree.

(Above Photo: Sgt. Maj. Scott Chapman II, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 82nd Airborne Division Artillery, alongside his wife, Melinda and kids, Keria, Abigale, and Elijah receives the Garrison Family of the Year award during the Family of the Year Ceremony on Fort Liberty, Dec. 5. Sixteen family nominees were recognized by their units for their willingness to sacrifice moments as a family to serve full time while still investing in the community.)