Soldier is Finalist in ‘Today’ Show Contest

Melinda Gintilas may be halfway around the world in Iraq, but she's still a finalist to become "America's Favorite Mom."

"America's Favorite Mom" is a weeklong contest that begins this morning on NBC's "Today" show and will be capped at 6 p.m. Sunday with a primetime special hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, with the winner receiving $250,000.

Gintilas is one of three "military moms" that will be featured today out of 15 finalists chosen from 18,000 submissions, according to NBC.

"She doesn't realize how many people truly love her and are inspired by her," said Adam Gintilas, her husband. "She's just carrying on her job regardless of what happens with this."

Melinda, 27, has been in Iraq for 10 months, serving as a transport company staff sergeant.

"She drives the biggest monsters in the military," Adam said. "I'm kind of glad she drives those big trucks because the IEDs don't really affect them."

It's her second tour in Iraq, with only four months at home in between. She's due home in August.

"I want to see her because I really miss her and I love her and I want her to come home, she's been gone for so long," said 7-year-old Adrian Gintilas, one of their three children, along with Casiah, 5, and Jaden, 4.

Being a long-distance mom is tough for his wife, Adam said. "Being away from her kids for so long, it's unbelievable how she's held it together," he said. "War's taken a big toll on our family, but we're going to pull through it."

On her first tour in Iraq, Melinda often had Internet access and could communicate via a Web cam, Adam said. This time, she's often on a convoy somewhere in the desert, so phone calls and letters fill the void.

"I get to talk to her a lot - four times a week," Adrian said. "She says she misses me and she can't wait to be home."

Adam nominated Melinda two months ago - the producers asked the applicants for short essays describing why their moms are so great - but said he learned his wife was a finalist just last week. NBC sent a camera crew to their home in Fountain to record him and the kids, while a military crew taped Melinda on a convoy in Iraq.

"I'm flabbergasted by all this right now," Adam said.

If Melinda wins, Adam said, they plan to donate part of the prize to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and spend $10,000 or so buying groceries for families at the Fort Carson post exchange.

The winner also gets a new washer and dryer.

"I'd rather have that," Adam joked.

TO VOTE

"America's Favorite Mom" airs today through Friday on NBC's "Today" show during the 8 a.m. hour. You can see submissions and vote at www.americasfavoritemom.com. The winner will be chosen during a special at 6 p.m. Sunday on NBC.