By Rebecca Alwine, 2014 AFI Fort Huachuca SOY
It’s been far too long since we’ve gathered as military spouses for the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® (AFI MSOY) Town Hall, but we were so excited for that gathering in September this year. We used the time together to heal and move forward as a united front—as the military spouse community has shown over the last two years.
We’re so proud of what all the spouses in our community have done since we met last in May 2019, especially the 2020-2021 branch winners and overall winner who have kept up the fight for our military families for double the normal time.
Over the past two years, these leaders have pushed forward to create and support programs that improve the military spouse community, from volunteering to employment to parent support. We’ve seen a focus on the continued support for military spouses and their community from the 2020-2021 class.
One of the great things about this program is the sense of community it brings. AFI MSOY alumni from years past are still involved in supporting the program and the individual efforts of spouses. Recently, several program alumni met in Washington, D.C., to catch up on life and their advocacy efforts.
Over the last 14 years, the AFI MSOY program has celebrated military spouses because of their leadership, commitment, and contributions to the community they live in. The last time nominations were open—in 2020—116 installation-level winners were named, 18 finalists were chosen by a panel and six winners were named, one for each branch (including the Coast Guard and National Guard), and an overall winner was chosen.
With the recent world events, the AFI MSOY program chose to extend the 2020 winners for a two-year term. And with the break in nominations, they are very excited to showcase all the wonderful things that military spouses have been doing in their communities. Nominations for the 2022 AFI MSOY will open in November, so start thinking about who you’d like to nominate!
Congratulations to the 2020-2021 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® Branch Winners!
Photos courtesy of: Adam L Photography, Allyson Marcangelo Photography, Captivated Photography Ltd., Chelsie Rose Photography, Erin Hubert Photography, Virginia Lee Photography