Alicia Hinds Ward, 2013 National Guard Spouse of the Year, poses for a photo with Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, the director of the Air National Guard after winning the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award, in Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013. The awards, presented by Military Spouse magazine and sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance, honor spouses of military members. (Air Force photo by Scott Ash)

Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, the director of the Air National Guard addresses the audience during the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award ceremony, in Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013.

Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, the director of the Air National Guard addresses the audience during the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award ceremony, in Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013. Alicia Hinds Ward, 2013 National Guard Spouse of the Year, won the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award. The award, presented by Military Spouse magazine and sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance, honors spouses of military members. (Air Force photo by Scott Ash/RELEASED)

Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, the director of the Air National Guard addresses the audience during the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award ceremony, in Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013.

Alicia Hinds Ward, 2013 National Guard Spouse of the Year, speaks after winning the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award, Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013.

Alicia Hinds Ward, 2013 National Guard Spouse of the Year, speaks after winning the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award, Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013. The award, presented by Military Spouse magazine and sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance, honors spouses of military members. (Army News photo by Lisa Ferdinando/RELEASED)

Alicia Hinds Ward, 2013 National Guard Spouse of the Year, speaks after winning the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award, Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013.

The finalists and the winner of the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award pose for a photograph after the awards ceremony in Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013.

The finalists and the winner of the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award pose for a photograph after the awards ceremony in Arlington, Va., May 9, 2013. Pictured left to right are: Shelley Kimball, Coast Guard Spouse of the Year, from District 7, Fla.; Karen Guenther, Marine Corps Spouse of the Year, from Quantico, Va.; Alicia Hinds Ward, D.C. National Guard Spouse of the Year, and winner of the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year award; Alisha Youch, Navy Spouse of the Year, from Kings Bay, Ga.; Verenice Castillo, Air Force Spouse of the Year, from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.; and Tara Crooks, Army Spouse of the Year, from Fort Sill, Okla. The awards, presented by Military Spouse magazine and sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance, honor spouses of military members. (Army News photo by Lisa Ferdinando/RELEASED)

D.C. Guard wife named Military Spouse of the Year

Published May 16, 2013
By TSgt Craig Clapper
113 WG/PA

WASHINGTON -- Alicia Hinds Ward, wife of Tech. Sgt. Edwinston Ward, 113th Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md., is the winner of the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year.

Representing the National Guard, Hinds Ward was chosen among six finalists, each one representing a branch of the U.S. armed forces. She was chosen as MSOY for her outstanding support helping military families with relocation and employment services, as well as her support of special needs resources and helping to build camaraderie among deployed members and their families.

"This ceremony does a great deal to see the significance of the role our spouses play in our military and now important that is to our national defense," said Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air National Guard, "It's an honor to be here and congratulate Alicia on her win."

The MSOY award has been in existence for six years and Hinds Ward is the first National Guard representative to win.

According to Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Anderson, 113th Wing command chief, her win was no surprise.

"It is no surprise to those that know Alicia that she was selected as the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year. She works tirelessly not only for our Capital Guardian family, but our extended military family across Joint Base Andrews," said Chief Anderson. "I am incredibly proud of what Alicia has accomplished for the families of our National Guard and can't wait to watch her elevate the entire military spouse community. I know she will serve as a phenomenal advocate for all of our military families!"

Hinds Ward was filled with emotions after accepting her award as the magnitude of her win started to set in.

"I'm breathing now, not well, but I'm breathing," Hinds Ward said laughingly. "I'm so proud to be here and I love the fact that I'm able to work with all of you (fellow spouses), and I hope to bring attention to our National Guard families, our unique circumstances, and the plight of our families."