Barrington resident honored with military award

Michelle Lemieux selected as 2017 Rhode Island National Guard Spouse of the Year

By Josh Bickford
Posted 3/22/17

Michelle Lemieux was not looking for recognition when she set out to help families of US military members. 

She was not looking for a special award, or to be honored during halftime of a …

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Barrington resident honored with military award

Michelle Lemieux selected as 2017 Rhode Island National Guard Spouse of the Year

Posted

Michelle Lemieux was not looking for recognition when she set out to help families of US military members. 

She was not looking for a special award, or to be honored during halftime of a Providence College basketball game. She was not expecting a trip to Washington, D.C. or an invitation to special events in our nation's capital. 

Michelle just wanted to help.

The longtime Barrington resident said she understands the challenges facing families of US servicemen and women and wanted to try to make things a little easier for them. 

For more than a year, Michelle has offered her assistance — sometimes it is through collection drives benefitting children of soldiers; other times it is making a visit to the Rhode Island Veterans Home. 

Recently her effort was recognized, as Michelle was selected as the 2017 Rhode Island National Guard Spouse of the Year. Michelle's husband, William Lemieux, is a 1st Sergeant of Charlie Battery in the RI National Guard. He has served for 22 years and gone on four deployments.

"I feel like, I've had hard times where I've needed support," she said. "People have wrapped their arms around me, and I just wanted to help support all of the military families."

Michelle's volunteer work included helping to organize a supply drive at Hampden Meadows School to benefit military families. Students there donated hundreds of items, such as toilet paper, paper towel and flashlights — the donations were part of an emergency preparedness and fire safety project called "Operation Think Fast." 

Michelle said Hampden Meadows School teachers Kate Carroll and Jamie Poirier and principal Tracey McGee were very helpful during the drive. She also praised the effort by the students.

"These kids went above and beyond," said Michelle. "It was really great."

Michelle said she filled three carloads with the donations. 

The longtime Barrington resident will travel to Washington, D.C. in early May as part of the awards ceremony.

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