There is just no gainsaying the impact Joan Shalikashvili has on the local and Joint Base Lewis-McChord area.

People who know her say that she is loving, giving, true, honest, caring, focused - just to name a few of the adjectives applied to her.

But she won't tell you that.  No, she'll tell you that she had no clear goals in life.

"Don't know that I'd recognize myself if introduced by those terms," Shalikashvili said with a twinkle in her eye as we sat in the living room of her Steilacoom home.

"I've been open to the currents of life, but it's nice that friends feel that way."

Married to the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Shalikashvili, for nearly 45 years before his passing in 2011, she had the opportunity to work with military families in this country, Europe and the Pacific.

"When I married I knew I would be in the military," Shalikashvili continued. 

"You had better like the life, and I loved it."

>>> Joan Shalikashvili, a Steilacoom resident, has traveled the world, as well as the South Puget Sound, helping military families. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

That affection for the military has resulted in her being recognized with numerous awards, to include the Red Cross Clara Barton, Field Artillery Molly Pitcher, VII Corps Help Hand, Heidelberg Star, and Distinguished Public Service awards from the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Defense.

Shalikashvili has also received the Silver Patrick Henry award from the Military Order of World Wars and the Anna c. Chennault Award for her participation on the National Military Family Association Board of Advisors.

But it is the love of and for JBLM military members and their families - to say nothing of the surrounding local communities - that area leaders have noticed.

Thursday, Jan. 30, Shalikashvili will be the 21st individual to be formally inducted into JBLM's Civilian Hall of Fame.

"Knowing that this honor would have meant so much to John only makes it that much more special to me," she said.

"But I know there are other people out there doing great work as well."

Established in 2003, the Civilian Hall of Fame Program permanently recognizes and thanks the numerous civilian men and women in the communities around JBLM who selflessly work and dedicate their time and energy to benefit soldiers, their families and the Army.

Shalikashvili is also active in the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PIO), a nonprofit that promotes educational opportunities for women through scholarships, grants, awards and loans.

Of all the organizations that Shalikashvili has involved herself in over the years, her work as a board member on the USO (United Services Organization) Northwest stands out.

"I work at the USO's McChord Center and serve on the board," she added modestly.

The USO at McChord Field is the "Shali Center," named in honor of both John and Joan Shalikashvili.

"She is committed beyond words to the soldiers and their families," commented Andrew Oczkewicz, the center's manager.

Don Leingang, executive director, USO, echoed that sentiment.

"It is not uncommon for a military member to receive a sandwich made and served by Joan before deploying overseas or a family member to be greeted at an event by Mrs. Shalikashvili," he wrote in an email.

"She truly is a selfless servant to the JBLM community and a remarkable woman who is truly deserving to be inducted into the Hall of Fame."