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Search is on for favorite military mom

A military mom you know could be America’s Favorite Mom, to be crowned on an NBC special airing on Mother’s Day, May 11.

“Military moms” could be serving overseas in uniform, holding down the homefront fort for deployed spouses, or troops’ own mothers.

Nominations are being accepted through April 30. Videos, photos and essay testimonials can be uploaded to the show’s Web site. Once nominated, moms can win thousands of dollars in online prizes and sweepstakes.

“Military moms” is one of five categories in the competition. The others are single moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms and unconventional moms.

Thousands already have been nominated, and anyone can vote for the nominees online, although there is no way to search specifically for “military mom” entries, or enter that category. Entries will be sorted by category when semi-finalists are chosen.

So it might be a good idea to make the military connection and impact clear in your video entry, picture, and essay — if you wish the entry to be considered for that category. Most military moms would qualify for one of the other categories, as well.

The top 15 nominees from the five categories will appear on NBC’s “Today Show” and viewers will vote for their favorite at the end of each show. The winners in each of the five categories will appear on the “America’s Favorite Mom” special, where the winner will be crowned.

The panelists who will select the semi-finalists have not been confirmed yet, but the selections will not be based solely on the number of votes received, according to a spokeswoman for sponsor Teleflora; the panelists will consider the quality of submissions as well. Meanwhile, Web team members are monitoring the votes and entries, and are giving out prizes based on the entries.

The winner will have a rose named in her honor, and will receive thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including an 18-karat gold heart-shaped “America’s Favorite Mom” pendant trimmed in diamonds.

USAA, partnering with Telefora to help raise awareness about the contest in the military community, will give the winner a $2,500 cruise gift certificate from Explore Cruise Travel and a free yearlong financial strategies plan.