2009 Military Spouse of the Year Named

Marine Wife Honored During Annual Military Spouse of the Year Awards Ceremony in Washington

WASHINGTON, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The second annual national Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) was announced today during an awards ceremony attended by high ranking officials in Washington. Marine wife Mrs. Tanya Queiro, of Jacksonville, N.C., was selected for her selfless efforts in support of the military community. Military spouses Diane Jones, wife of General Jim Jones, National Security Advisor, and Babette Maxwell, Co-Founder and Executive Editor, Military Spouse magazine, presented the 2009 award at a special luncheon put on by Military Spouse magazine and presented by USAA. Queiro was honored for her commitment to the troops, her ongoing support of active duty husband Gunnery Sergeant Jose Queiro, and her volunteer work and many community contributions.

Mrs. Queiro, a 13-year military spouse, also previously served as an active duty Marine herself. As a devoted and tenacious mother, she raises three active children while also managing the household as her husband GySgt Jose Queiro deploys. On top of all of these duties, Mrs. Queiro works full time outside the home and is a student pursuing a Doctorate degree in Organization and Management.

To further demonstrate her community service, Queiro is a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) New Leader Program graduate, an active Civilian Career Leadership Development participant and mentor, American Military University Career Mentor, and Operation Noble Heart volunteer. She has volunteered as a Lifestyle Insight, Networking, Knowledge, and Skills (LINKS) mentor; Onslow County Women's Shelter Victim Advocate; and Key Volunteer. She is also a lifetime member of the Women's Marine Association.

To call her Superwoman would be a gross understatement.

VIPs at the national MSOY award ceremony included current senior military spouses Mrs. Annette Conway, wife of General James Conway, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps; Mrs. Ellen Roughead, wife of Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; Mrs. Suzie Schwartz, wife of General Norton Schwartz, USAF, Air Force Chief of Staff; Mrs. Pamela Allen, wife of Admiral Thad Allen, USCG, Commandant of the Coast Guard; Mrs. Beth Chiarelli, wife of General Peter Chiarelli, USA, Army Vice Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. and Mrs. Jack C. Stultz, Chief of the Army Reserve; in addition to Members of Congress and other senior military officials.

"Tanya's devotion to her family and others in need makes her a most deserving recipient of the 2009 Military of the Spouse Year," said Babette Maxwell, Co-Founder and Executive Editor, Military Spouse magazine. "Without hesitation Tanya puts others before herself, sees and fulfills needs of those around her, and works for the betterment of 'community.'"

"The reason USAA exists is to help military families with their financial security and the peace of mind that brings -- especially to the military spouse who shoulders so much responsibility," said Joe Robles, USAA's CEO and a retired major general. "I know I couldn't have done what I did for the Army if my wife, Patty hadn't taken care of everything else."

Queiro was chosen from more than 650 Military Spouse magazine reader nominees. One finalist was chosen for each branch, based on voting from readers and an outside military spouse selection committee. Branch winners included Susan Webb of Glasford, IL (Air Force); Misti Stevens of Fort Campbell, KY (Army); Trish Pruett of Miami, FL (Coast Guard); Tanya Queiro of Jacksonville, NC (Marine Corps); and Christy Kuriatnyk of Ellerslie, GA (Navy). The 2009 MSOY award represents the positive qualities of a military spouse. Criteria used to select the recipient included impact on community change, volunteerism, personal sacrifice, education and career pursuits, and other spouse-related efforts. The 2008 Military Spouse of the Year was Army wife Mrs. Chelle Brewer.

Military Spouse magazine, published by veteran-owned Victory 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.com) and Vetrepreneur (www.NaVoba.com). The MSOY award and ceremony are sponsored by USAA. For more information, including a video on Mrs. Queiro, visit http://msoy.milspouse.com/.

USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is among the leading providers of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. For the past three years, BusinessWeek magazine ranked USAA among the top two "Customer Service Champs," highlighting our legendary commitment of providing highly competitive financial products for more than 6.8 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit usaa.com.

SOURCE Military Spouse magazine