Marti Thruston has always loved putting smiles on people's faces.
And it's that love that led her to offering her home to the crew members of the USS Jefferson City Submarine when they'd come to visit their's sub's namesake. After about five years of housing the young men who reminded her of her own son, stationed miles away, Thruston became part of the USS Jefferson City Submarine Committee, a city committee that provides support for the submarine and its crew.
Thruston has served on the USS Jefferson City Submarine Committee since March 2010 and, earlier this month, was honored by the Jefferson City Council with the Kevin Meinhardt Memorial Award for distinguished public service. Meinhardt, who died in 2012, had served on the Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission from 1990 to 1998 and served on the city's Board of Adjustment from 1997 until his death.
In the nomination form, Hal Dulle, chair of the USS Jefferson City Submarine Committee, wrote "Thruston's service on the USS Jefferson City Submarine Committee is a reflection of her patriotism and genuine personal enthusiasm for members of the military."
Thruston served in the National Guard as a paramedic for six years and her late husband had spent 31 years in the National Guard, as well as four years in the U.S. Navy. Her son, Ryan, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy on the USS New Mexico. She said hosting the crew members of the USS Jefferson City for the past 10 years always made it feel like Ryan was back home.
"It's like having my son home," Thruston said. "They're just such neat guys ... I'm like Mother Goose."
She has taken on the role of organizing the crew's trips to Jefferson City. The most recent trip was in September and Thruston was able to organize a number of public events for people to meet the crew and take them to various places in Jefferson City, noting even Mayor Carrie Tergin came out to play bocce ball with the crew at Prison Brews.
"I'm with them every step of the way," Thruston said.
Thruston extends an open invitation to the crew members to come any time and stay in her home. It's one of many ways she tries to get out and help others.
"I just like doing things for people," Thruston said. "That's the way my mom brought me up."
She remembers her parents providing holiday meals every year for a blind couple nearby or providing meals for people who don't have families. She carries on her parents traditions, eager to help neighbors in an emergency or extending invitations to those who may otherwise be alone to spend holidays with her.
"I just like putting a smile on somebody's face," Thruston said. "That's just what you do, you help your neighbors out."