Station Yaquina Bay wife competes for 2014 Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year, Jan. 31

A Washington state native and wife of a Coast Guard surfman stationed in Newport, Ore., has been selected as the 2014 Coast Guard 13th District Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. Rachael Thacker, wife of Petty Officer 2nd Class Russell Thacker, a boatswain’s mate assigned to Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay, is now in the running for Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year. Thacker is an active member of her community. The mother of two regularly participates in local fundraisers and founded a support group for aspiring writers. Recognizing a lack of affordable child care for military families, Thacker became a licensed daycare provider in 2008 and now runs a daycare from her home six days a week. “I go out of my way to volunteer in the community,” said Thacker. “I would love to have the opportunity to help other spouses understand the importance of being involved in their communities and the positive effects it will have on their families and the military’s reputation locally and otherwise.” A round of voting will be held Tuesday to select the 2014 Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year. On March 4, a national vote will be taken to select the 2014 Military Spouse of the Year from the six military branch nominees. The winner will be announced on May 9 at the program’s awards luncheon in Washington, D.C. To learn more about the 2014 Military Spouse of the Year Awards, read about all of the nominees and vote to elect a winner, visit http://msoy.militaryspouse.com.