TriWest Healthcare Alliance News
Exemplary Military Spouse Goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Inaugural Military Spouse of the Year Award Ceremony Nationally Recognizes Exceptional Military Spouse for Enhancing Lives All over the World
WASHINGTON, May 6 PRNewswire-USNewswire — The first national Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) award ceremony today honored an outstanding military spouse, Mrs. Chelle Brewer, for her selfless efforts at home and in the community. Military spouses, Mrs. Sheila Casey and Mrs. Karen Preston, presented the 2008 award at a special luncheon presented by Military Spouse magazine and sponsored by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Brewer is being honored for her commitment to the troops, her ongoing support of active duty husband Second Lieutenant Steven Brewer, and her volunteer work and many community contributions.
As a wife of an injured soldier, 2nd Lieut. Steven Brewer, and mother of a child with special needs, Brewer has triumphed over adversity, while continuing to find time to volunteer for the USO, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and March of Dimes. Her commitment to the troops led to the creation of Soldier's List organization, which she founded in 2002. To date, Soldier's List has sent over 4,000 care packages to deployed soldiers.
Following hurricane Katrina's devastation, Mrs. Brewer, in realizing that hundreds of children with severe health conditions were trapped in the area, organized support for them by working with Department of Homeland Security, Triage 411, United Way of Baton Rouge, and the Louisiana Governor's Office. She also coordinated with churches, corporations, children's hospitals, medically trained foster parents, and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to provide care for patients and their families.
Brewer was chosen from among hundreds of reader nominees because of her inspirational representation of all military spouses. The 2008 MSOY award represents the positive qualities of a military spouse, who is truly an "alpha woman." Criteria used to select the recipient, included impact on community change, volunteerism, personal sacrifice, education and career pursuits, and other spouse related efforts.
According to U.S. Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, family support is an important issue for troops, including the support from spouses. Support from spouses is essential, especially in a time of war, as spousal support helps with military retention. In addition, funding for family support programs has doubled from $700 million in 2008 to $1.4 billion in 2009.
At the national MSOY award ceremony, country music singer Melissa Jones sang her hit song "Red, White, and Blue Night in Georgia," which was inspired by military spouses. Mrs. Sheila Casey and Mrs. Karen Preston presented the 2008 MSOY award. Additional VIPs included current senior military spouses Mrs. Holly Petreaus, Mrs. Yuko Robinson, Mrs. Rose Magnus, Mrs. Audrey Schoomaker, and Mrs. Diana Campa in addition to former senior military spouses Mrs. Mary Jo Myers and Mrs. Lynne Pace. Spouses of Members of Congress, including Mrs. Billie Gingrey, Mrs. Barbara Levin, Mrs. Carolina Reyes and Mrs. Tiia Karlen were also present.
"It is a true honor to receive such an esteemed award. Military spouses have the ability to help so many people simply by sharing their own experiences and trying to help others through these tough times," said Mrs. Chelle Brewer, 2008 Military Spouse of the Year. "Our vitally important role is to permit our troops to concentrate on securing the country."
"Mrs. Brewer is an inspiration to us all because she is a reminder that inside each one of us there lives a passionate and committed spirit that puts others before itself, sees and fulfills a need, and follows dreams," said Babette Maxwell, Co-Founder and Executive Editor, Military Spouse magazine. "Mrs. Brewer's relentless dedication to her family and others in need makes her a most deserving recipient of the 2008 Military Spouse of the Year."
"So much is asked of military spouses. These extraordinary wives and husbands often make very personal sacrifices to support our service members," said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. "We salute these incredible individuals and commend them on their service to their families, communities and our country."
Military Spouse magazine, published by Victoria Media, is the leading national magazine for the nation's 1.1 million current and 20 million former military spouses. The company also publishes G.I. Jobs (www.gijobs.net) and Vetrepreneur (www.NaVoba.com). For more information, please visit www.milspouse.com/MSOY08event.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the health care needs of 2.9 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region, the 2007 TRICARE Region of the year. TriWest is a proud Corporate Team Member of America Supports You. Visit http://www.triwest.com for more information.
SOURCE Military Spouse magazine; TriWest Healthcare Alliance
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