Naples-based wife named Air Force 'Spouse of the Year'

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NAPLES, Italy (AFNS) --  Sonya Rayford Cage, spouse of Allied Joint Force Command Naples member, Maj. Ernest Cage, was awarded the 2013 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year for her outstanding support to local military personnel and their families. This honor follows closely on the heels of her US Air Force NATO spouse of the year award.

"To me, the Joan Orr award is recognition of serving others within your community. It is a pleasure and an honor to serve our Air Force and NATO communities," said Cage. "Serving the families is a team effort, and I accept this award on behalf of all the spouses. They volunteered their time and talents to ensure our Air Force families' needs are met."

During the last year, she spent countless hours supporting the U.S. Air Force element as the U.S. Air Force Key Spouse and the JFC Naples community from welcoming new members to supporting multiple fundraisers to help the local and military community. Her leadership and volunteer efforts were pivotal in creating a positive environment for families. As the Air Force liaison to the Navy Spouse's Club, she helped guide the club's thrift shop which funded $40,000 in scholarships in 2012.

Cage said that she did not accomplish this award alone. "First and foremost, I give God the glory for I can do nothing without Him. I thank my parents, whom are both no longer with us, retired Tech. Sgt. Charles and Deane Rayford for being great role models and for instilling in me as a young child to serve. I thank my husband, Maj. Ernest Cage, for his continuous love and support; Maj. Gen. Garry Dean for nominating me for this award, his staff for all of their hard work in submitting the package, the Naples community, and especially our OUTSTANDING SPOUSES! I would encourage all spouses to get involved, to make a difference no matter how big or small. This great military journey we are all on has its ups and downs for sure but together, we are stronger -- stronger together."

Another of her main contributions was creating a pre-deployment family support program, which provides pivotal information to the dependents in the Naples area while their spouse is deployed. JFC Naples leadership understands the importance of having the support of the service member's family. This is a key component to the success of the JFC Naples deployable warfighting headquarters concept.

"Sonya sees the role of a Key Spouse as an opportunity to continue serving her country and the Air Force by taking care of families. They are near and dear to her heart and she works tireless striving to be a resource of information and most of all a source of support," explains Maj. Gen. Garry Dean, Director of Operations at JFC Naples. "She is a valuable member of our community and we are thankful for her efforts in providing top-notch support to our military families."

Bessie Cage, Sonya's mother-in-law from South Boston, Va., explained, "I am ecstatic and extremely proud of my daughter-in-law. What an honor to be recognized as the prestigious Air Force Joan Orr Spouse of the Year. I am a firm believer that with desire, discipline and dedication, one can accomplish great things."

Her innovative leadership and capabilities directly contributed to the mission success of the Allied Command Operations community. The JFC Naples family is proud to have her on the NATO team.

The Air Force Association (AFA) will present the award to Sonya in September at the 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland.