GRAYLING, Mich., February 13, 2018 – Jessica Brutzman, a Traverse City resident, has been named the 2018 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year for National Guard Base Michigan. The award recognizes military spouses’ important contributions and unwavering commitment to the military community.
Brutzman, a mother of two, was born in California, but spent her childhood summers in Northern Michigan. She met her husband Christopher while he was serving in the Marine Corps in San Diego. After leaving the Marine Corps, he enlisted in the Michigan National Guard and is currently with Camp Grayling logistics.
Brutzman says her time as a military spouse has opened her eyes to the unique struggles Guard families face.
“We do get support, but most of the time people on the outside do not get a chance to fully understand the personal struggles,” said Brutzman. “National Guard families get overlooked and I think attention needs to be brought their way.”
Sherry Trier, the friend who nominated Brutzman for the honor, says the military spouse supports not only her husband, but the entire veteran community.
“Jessica shoulders the care of their two boys and managing the household while working full-time in order to support Chris,” said Trier. “He’s able to achieve his goals and continue to support his country. Jessica is very passionate about the needs of veterans and their families, too.”
Brutzman is a certified Veterans Association realtor and organizes an annual 5k run to help stop veteran suicide.
The Military Spouse of the Year award was founded by Military Spouse Magazine in 2008 to honor spouses from all branches of service, and is sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance. More than a million spouses support and maintain the home front service-wide.