When Quiana A., the spouse of a Navy Veteran, entered The Brick at Blue Star, she was awestruck. Military-affiliated events exclusively tailored for spouses like her are rare. However, this past week was an exception. Blue Star Families and T-Mobile teamed up to honor Military Appreciation Month with a unique tribute to 300 San Antonio-area military spouses. The event featured comedian and Air Force spouse Ashley Gutermuth, adding to its memorability.
San Antonio is home to more than 645,000 military and civilian personnel, retirees, Veterans, and their families, constituting more than 25% of the metro area’s 2.4 million residents.
Major General Juan Ayala, USMC, (Ret.) and Director of the Military and Veteran Affairs Department of the City of San Antonio attended the event and took the opportunity to highlight the unique support that San Antonio provides for military families, a gesture that was deeply appreciated by all.
Quoting Ayala: “The individuals in this room, the ones who support the homefront, exemplify dedication and selflessness, providing unwavering support to your service members. Despite your invaluable contributions, it’s disheartening that many of you feel your sacrifices often go unnoticed by local communities, as revealed by the annual survey conducted by Blue Star Families. But here in San Antonio, things are different — we see and appreciate you — always!”
In a heartfelt tribute to the San Antonio military community and as a prelude to Military Spouse Appreciation Day which is May 10th, T-Mobile and Blue Star Families hosted a night of comedy and camaraderie. The event was a testament to the crucial role military spouses play in our national defense, a role that is often under-appreciated but never undervalued.
“In my 27 years as a military spouse, this marked my first time sitting in the audience at a comedy show headlined by another military spouse — it felt therapeutic,” Quiana shared. “I was overjoyed to share such a genuine moment with my friend and fellow seasoned Air Force spouse, Olivia, who kindly accompanied me. The head nods, claps, and snickers were in full swing. It’s true — we never quite anticipate what marrying into the military entails. And sometimes, when there’s little else to do, the best remedy can simply be a good old-fashioned belly laugh.”
The evening concluded with laughter sparked by Ashley, a San Antonio resident. She gained acclaim after winning the Seinfeld Challenge on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, handpicked by Jerry Seinfeld himself. With more than 300 million views on social media, her stand-up routines and insights into life as a military spouse of a United States military Reservist have captivated global audiences. Named 2023 AFI Air Force Spouse of the Year, Ashley tirelessly advocates for increased support for the military community.
T-Mobile acknowledges the unwavering dedication and selflessness demonstrated by military spouses like Ashley and Quiana, who provide steadfast support to their service members. Throughout Military Appreciation Month and beyond, T-Mobile reaffirms its commitment by offering employment opportunities, investing in communities, and providing the best family plan discounts. The company takes pride in leading the effort to hire military spouses and veterans through initiatives such as the Blue Star Families and Hiring Our Heroes 4+1 Commitment, which recently achieved its goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses over the past five years.
“T-Mobile, Blue Star Families, and the city of San Antonio acknowledge the significant sacrifices made by military families, regardless of size, in safeguarding our nation,” stated James Hobbs, T-Mobile’s Brand Marketing Manager. “Through this event and into the future, we express gratitude for their invaluable contributions.”