MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- After being selected as MacDill Air Force Base’s Spouse of the Year in February, Holly Vega has now been named as the 2019 Armed Forces Insurance Marine Corps Spouse of the Year.
Vega, the mother of three children, is married to Lt. Col. Javier Vega, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command force sustainment officer.
“My family means the world to me and being involved in their lives is incredibly important,” said Vega. “This award has helped me gain a greater appreciation and love for all of the military families we have met along the way.”
Vega has served the military in numerous volunteer capacities to include family readiness volunteer coordinator, liaison for international spouses, and as a Lifestyle, Insight, Networking, Knowledge and Skills (L.I.N.K.S.) mentor with Marine Corps Family Team Building. She is also a healthy heart advocate and co-leader for Military Hearts Matter through the American Heart Association (AHA).
“When Tyndall AFB and the Florida Panhandle were hit by Hurricane Michael, my company and I were able to lead donation efforts within our community,” added Vega. “Because of our efforts, my co-workers and I caught the attention of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, several prominent local charities and the media. Through these combined efforts, we were able to send numerous truckloads of supplies to our Florida neighbors. What this showed me is that a military spouse can change a situation by entering into it with a good heart.”
Additionally, Vega was selected as an ambassador for the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce - an honor presented to only 25 of their more than 1,500 members. She has a reputation for lifting up other spouses and mentors when needed.
“Holly goes above and beyond in advocating and supporting our military spouses and military children,” said Iris Green, who nominated Vega for this award. “She is partnering with another military spouse to spearhead the creation of an inclusion group for military children at a local elementary school, she has logged countless volunteer hours with her husband's unit, and she is so supportive of fellow military spouses who are exploring entrepreneurship.”
As the Marine Corps Spouse of the Year, Vega moves on to the next round of voting for the recognition as the 2019 Armed Forces Insurance’s Spouse of the Year award. After a final vote conducted on March 7-8, the overall winner will be announced at an awards dinner on May 9 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, in conjunction with the National Military Spouse Appreciation Day which occurs on May 10.
“I’ve learned the importance of resilience and community,” said Vega. “When faced with adversity, you always know that your fellow military spouses are there to lift you up on a difficult day, pick up your children in an emergency and be a shoulder to cry on or simply there to listen. The military community becomes your family.”
To learn more about the award program, the 2019 branch winners, or cast a vote, visit msoy.afi.org