Armed Services YMCA of Alaska seeks nominations for ‘Salute to the Military’ awards

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – For its 2025 Salute to the Military Awards, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) of Alaska is asking the public to help highlight civilians who have supported troops in Alaska.

Ultimately, two civilians are expected to be honored with this year’s award, with one named the Alaska Military Spouse of the Year, and the other, named the Bobby Alexander Civic Leader of the Year.

Awards will also be bestowed upon 13 enlisted servicemembers deemed exceptional in their service.

According to Kat Franchino, Marketing Director for ASYMCA of Alaska, the nonprofit organization represents enlisted members from all branches of the military in the 49th state, including some who just recently started their careers.

“It’s really just a way for us to honor the incredible junior enlisted service members,” she explained. “So that’s E1 through E5, who are stationed in our state.”

Franchino added that the awards are an opportunity to highlight the sacrifices these younger servicemembers make being stationed in the Last Frontier.

She said another reason for the event is to, “be able to shine a light on these incredible service members who have dedicated service before self, and … put the spotlight on them, to honor their accomplishments and the work that they’ve done.”

Beginning in 1977, the event has become a yearly tradition.

Recipients of the Service Persons of the Year awards are chosen by their command, who are seen as having gone “above and beyond,” Franchino said.

The civilian awards, meanwhile, were added to the proceedings a couple of years ago. Those honorees are chosen by service groups, “based on the qualities and characteristics that people have lined out in the nomination form,” according to Franchino.

The awards are slated for Feb. 15 in Anchorage, and online nominations for the civilian awards are due by Friday, Jan. 3.

Those nominating others are asked to fill out a form explaining why they are nominating a specific person, the support they’ve given the military, and any awards they may have already received.

Nomination forms can be completed on the ASYMCA of Alaska website.

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