Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story by: Staff Sgt. A.C. Mink
Story Identification #: 2007119174943

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(Jan. 19, 2007) -- The familiar buzz of clippers held special meaning for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 today, as they shaved their heads in support of one of their own – key volunteer coordinator, Nicole Spaid.

“It was stunning to hear that Nicole had been diagnosed with cancer … many of us took it personally because of how important she has been to this squadron,” said VMM-263 Commanding Officer Lt.Col. Paul Rock.

“Colonel Rock told me, ‘if you lose your hair, I’ll just shave my head,’” said Nicole, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer days before Thanksgiving. “When my hair started falling out over Christmas, we shaved my head and I told my husband ‘tell the colonel to get his clippers ready.’”

Sgt.Maj. Robert VanOostrom, VMM-263 squadron sergeant major and executive officer Lt. Col. Paul Ryan were planning to join Rock.

So, what began as an individual act snowballed into an outpouring of support from the entire squadron and beyond.

“Fighting cancer is obviously a personal battle, but the rest of us wanted a way to try to help and this seemed like a good idea,” said the CO.

“Nicole has been our KV coordinator for three years. She was with (Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron) 263 for our deployments and automatically stepped up for the VMM and we have one of the strongest KV programs around, specifically because of her efforts,” said VanOostrom. “She fully understands the importance of a strong home front … this was our opportunity for the ‘family’ to take care of her.”

The plan was to hold an auction of sorts, and give the money to Nicole for a charity of her choice. Those with the highest bids would shave the “grape” or head of 263’s CO, XO or sergeant major.

Rock and VanOostrom extended an invitation to their “cohorts in crime” at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons aboard New River, as well as the CO and sergeant major at MAG-16, Col. Michael Mollohan and Sgt. Maj. Donald deHagara.

As winning bidders-turned-barbers manned the clippers and made quick work of the locks, the rowdy group took it a step further and someone yelled “I’ll pay 100 dollars to shave HIS head,” pointing at a Marine across the room – and the bidding war began.

“Next thing I knew there was a bounty on the head of half the Marines in the room and a few decided to counter-offer to keep their hair,” said Nicole.

“We gathered close to $1,500 just to shave Colonel Mollohan’s head,” said VanOostrom, who mentioned that several other squadron leaders -- though they couldn’t stay for festivities -- made monetary donations.

Rock said he expected their Marines would rally to this cause, but was “blown away” by the level of support. The unit raised more than $4,200 in under 45 minutes.

Even as bidding drew to a close, Marines continued to line up and be shorn in support of their own.

“One of Nicole’s goals is to raise awareness. If she has for just one or two people, she’s done what she set out to do,” said Maj. John Spaid, 263’s intelligence officer, who took part in the event along with Nicole’s parents who came from Albuquerque, N.M., to assist while she is in treatment.

Nicole, a self-proclaimed “poster child” for living clean, is an aerobics instructor and doesn’t drink or smoke. She found the lump while nursing her youngest child.

“I did everything they tell you to do to reduce the chances of getting breast cancer … people need to know that there is always a chance,” said Nicole, who has chosen to donate the funds for cancer research to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “What people need to learn from this is to be proactive and know your own body. With early detection, it’s curable in most cases.

“I’d like to thank the contributors, both in terms of support and donations,” said Rock who specifically mentioned that support from other units on base “helped make this morning’s event a success well beyond what I could’ve anticipated.”

“It’s overwhelming, this show of support,” she added. “It just brings home that our squadron is a true family.”

John, considering the plight of his extended Thunder Chicken family, said, “I guess, it’s not so bad looking at a bunch of ugly grapes if it’s for a good cause.”

Editor’s note: Keep your eye on the RotoVue and RotoVue online at http://www.newriverrotovue.com/ for stories about individuals who make a difference.
If you are interested in learning more about the Lance Armstrong Foundation, go to
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvKZLbMRIsG/b.594849/k.CC7C/Home.htm .

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