Stacy | Get to Know Our AFI Coast Guard Spouse of the Year

Meet Stacy!

Married to: Jeremy Bilodeau

Current location: District 14 Hawaii and Guam

Years as a military spouse: 10

Stacy has the unique perspective of having first been a Marine Corps spouse and now a Coast Guard spouse.

“I am so proud of all of our men and women who wear the uniform, and I am incredibly proud to be a Coast Guard wife,” says Stacy. “We are small but we are mighty, getting the job done.”

As the mom of two kids, Stacy stays busy but her days are also filled with using her skills as a graphic designer to help out non-profit organizations that might otherwise be unable to afford a designer. With the rapid and flexible response requirements that a Coast Guard life demands, Stacy knows the importance of community and volunteers to make life better for Coast Guard families.

While she has a very long list of volunteer positions over the past decade, Stacy currently volunteers as the marketing manager for the Joint Spouses’ Conference, is a member of and supporting graphic designer for Stroller Warrior Pearl Harbor, a Girl Scout troop leader, ombudsman for CGC Galveston Island, and a graphic designer for Coast Guard related projects and friends/family.

“Empowering, connecting, uplifting, motivating, and strengthening military spouses is what is close to my heart,” says Stacy. “I want other military spouses to know they are not alone in this journey, even though some days it might feel that way.”

As a part of this effort, Stacy would like to bring the Joint Spouses’ Conference (JSC) which she currently works on to the mainland to connect military spouses from all branches and walks of life.

“Our service members might be in different branches but we all share a special bond of being a military spouse,” says Stacy, who hopes that the conference can be a means by which spouses connect and build friendships so they can better connect with resources and gain confidence as a military spouse.

Just like many military spouses, Stacy was married in a small courthouse wedding ceremony. But what ended with a bite of “wedding cake,” aka Hostess Cupcakes, started their great adventure together.

“Our relationship, just like military life, has evolved,” says Stacy. “I am one lucky girl to have this amazing man in my life to share this journey and adventure we get to go through together.”

Because of the military spouses who have walked beside her in her own journey, Stacy feels called to encourage others through her own volunteer work.

“What I have learned and want to share is that when you focus on helping others instead of just yourself, a new, joyful perspective comes alive,” says Stacy. “Serving others makes each of us stronger.”

What she hopes to do with her award?

“I really hope to show the military and civilian community that we are in this together. When a crisis occurs, we all come together to help each other out. In recent events happening in our country such as Hurricane Harvey, local neighbors, the National Guard, Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard all came together to help. With this title, I hope to bridge the gap and help bring military spouses of all branches together. I really love helping people and getting them to the right information and resources.”

Fun Facts!

“I honestly hated running,” Stacy says. “It was not until after I had my second child that I really got into it.” She started off not being able to run a mile, and would have never thought that five years later she would  ran a full marathon. “I really do enjoy it now, it’s my me time, Stroller Warriors of Pearl Harbor truly has been amazing in my transformation from 5Ks to half and full marathons,” Stacy adds.

Special Congrats

Welcome to the USCGSOY family, Stacy! I am thrilled to meet you and get to know each other better in the coming year. Through your previous accomplishments and positive outlook for the future, you are an incredible asset to our team. I have no doubts that you will continue to shine as you take our Coast Guard Spouses under your protective wings! Remember that I am always here for you and will continue to support you in any way possible. Like our service members, together we will continue to prove that our Coast Guard Spouses are “Always Ready”…Semper Paratus! Mary Nelson, 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Coast Guard Spouse of the Year