NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy –
Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-A) and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy, awarded Margaret Copson, director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) a Department of the Navy Meritorious Public Service Award at Naval Support Activity Naples, Jan. 30, 2019.
Since 1997, for 22 years, Margaret has been involved in all sorts of loan management functions, monitoring management, Gaeta emergency services, and the USS Mount Whitney Shipboard Office," said Foggo. "We recognize all those years of incredible service she gave to our community. The Navy Marines Corps Relief Society is an incredibly dynamic organization that helps everybody in time of crisis.”
NMCRS provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services, to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, their eligible family members, widows, and survivors. NMCRS also receives and manages donated funds to administer these programs and services.
The volunteer-focused organization was established in the early 1920s to aid widows and orphans of fallen active duty service members in the era before the start of the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance policy.
NMCRS has expanded substantially over the years and offers many programs including budget counseling, casework financial assistance, visiting nurse program and ‘Budget for Baby’ workshops.
Copson was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for her loyal devotion and unparalleled support to more than four NMCRS offices across the European theater. Her management efforts led to an increase in participation with the Active Duty Fund Drive, volunteer program and the USS Mount Whitney Shipboard Office, ensuring full support across the peninsula.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure serving all the sailors and marines plus service members,” said Copson. “Thank you for this award.”
CNE-A/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.