Spirit Award

  • Published
  • By the 509th Bomb Wing
  • Office
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo., -- --  Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander, presented Kelli Steinke, wife of Staff. Sgt. Kevin Steinke, 509th Civil Engineering Squadron, with the Whiteman Spirit Award Sept. 25.

Mrs. Steinke was nominated for the award by Anne Johnson. 

Early Sunday morning, Sept. 7, a spouse of a deployed 509th CES member went into labor, according to the award nomination form. It was the middle of the night, she was a month before her due date, she had a 2 year-old son, and no family in the area. The spouse drove herself and her son to the Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg around 2 a.m. that morning. She then called her key spouse, Mrs. Steinke. 

"Kelli immediately sprang into action, driving to the hospital to help with the labor and also care for the 2-year- old boy," said Mrs. Johnson. "Kelli stayed until the baby was born (a healthy baby girl) at 7:46 a.m. (Sept.7). 

It was just Kelli, the mom, the nurses and doctor and the 2-year- old boy, asleep on a small bed in the delivery room" Mrs. Johnson continued. 

Once everyone was stabilized, Mrs. Steinke brought 2-year- old boy back to her house to stay until Monday, when the mother's mom was to arrive. Mrs. Steinke had four children of her own to look after in addition to caring for the 2-year- old boy, according to the award nomination form.

"Kelli's selfless actions brought comfort and stability to a Whiteman community member during a period of EXTREME stress," said Mrs. Johnson. "For this reason, Kelli exemplifies the Spirit of Whiteman and is highly deserving of the Whiteman Spirit Award."

Personally Speaking:

Go-by name: Kelli Steinke


Duty Title: Military Spouse


Time on Station: 5.5 years


Time in Service: 10.5 years


Hometown: Miami, Ariz.


Spouse: Staff Sgt. Kevin Steinke


Children: Anissa,10; Jazzy, 9; Emalee, 8; and Bryanna,7


Hobbies: Cake decorating, volunteering at church and on base.


Goals: To be the best mom and wife I can be.


Best thing about Whiteman: The friendly community.


Pet Peeves: People speeding in housing areas.


What motivates your winning spirit? The love I have for the military and its families.


If you could change one thing about Whiteman, what would it be? A bigger BX.