Montel Williams Reunites Sailor & Spouse on Show - television show host - Brief Article

All Hands, March, 2001 by JOSN Ron Kuzlik

When the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) deployed for an Arabian Gulf cruise last year, Navy spouse Patti Stokes-Elam didn't expect to see her husband, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Michael Elam, until mid-February 2001 when Lincoln returned to her homeport in Everett, Wash.

As it turned out, Stokes-Elam didn't have to wait until February. She was selected by the producers of "The Montel Williams Show" to talk to her husband via a satellite video teleconference. What she didn't know was, her husband had been flown in from the Arabian Gulf to appear in person on the show. So, in reality she was talking to her husband "via satellite" (while he was in the next studio). Naval Academy graduate and former Navy cryptological officer-turned talk show host Montel Williams then invited Elam on stage.

What followed was a very emotional reunion, as the couple embraced and their eyes filled with tears. The hardship that every Navy couple endures when faced with deployment was compounded by a medical diagnosis made just days before the ship sailed.

Two days before Abraham Lincoln departed her homeport, Patti discovered a lump in her breast. She immediately went to the hospital. A biopsy revealed that the disease had spread, infecting 20 of 28 lymph nodes. Because of this, she opted to have surgery.

Meanwhile, Elam's ship was getting ready to depart for the Arabian Gulf. Elam's chief, HMCS Bob Spottswood, and Abraham Lincoln's command master chief, YNCM(SS/SW/AW) William Nissen, suggested that Elam should not deploy with the ship and instead get TAD orders to remain with his wife.

But, together, Patti and Michael made the decision that he should go with Abraham Lincoln. "It was in his best interests for his family and his career path," recalled Patty.

"I definitely wanted to stay," said Michael, "But it was most important to me to do what Patti wanted."

So, when word went out that "The Montel Williams Show" was looking for a Navy couple to reunite for their Christmas Special, "We nominated truly deserving people," said Nissen, who felt that Elam was the best choice.

"We were sending him home -- regardless," added Spottswood. "But Patti was the motivating factor. We know she was looking out after her husband and her kids."

But little did Patti know that she would be reunited face-to-face with her husband while she was at "The Montel Williams Show." According to Tracy Frissora, senior associate producer, "Our greatest joy was seeing Patti's face when Michael came walking out of the door to surprise her. Bringing Patty and Michael together for the holidays is one of Montel's greatest accomplishments to date."

Montel Williams and the show's corporate sponsors presented the Elam family with a variety of gifts, including video games, bicycles and toys for their kids.

"I can't thank we Navy enough for always being there for us and assisting us in every way possible to make our shows better - and to make someone happy for the holidays," said Frissora. "If I had my wish, we'd bring a Sailor home every week!"