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Memorial Day Parade 2010 a Middleville Moment
I could not be prouder! I love my country! I love my little town! I LOVE my family. Memorial Day brought the best of the best together and our celebration taught this patriot lady a new lesson on smiling. It’s a good thing to do. It is even better to look around and see others smiling and bursting with pride.I love that we commemorate and recognize the dedication, camaraderie and sacrifice of our God protected military. Many were not allowed to see the end of conflicts, many were not brought home, that does not mean they were and are not protected. In God We Trust hangs on our hearts. The…
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Is this the End? or Perhaps Just the Beginning!
May is coming to a close and although Memorial Day brings us to the end of Military Appreciation Month I think I speak for all military-families when I say it shouldn’t be limited to one month. I appreciate the military every day, every month, all year. Actually, come to think of it, that is a major premise behind MilitaryAvenue.com. It is an avenue for the business-community to show appreciation not just on the major holidays, like Memorial Day and Veterans Day … and even Military Spouse Appreciation Day… but all year. But I don’t think that because May is ending that it is the end of appreciation. I think it…
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Your Health – Your Gardens
We enjoy being outside in our gardens! Vegetable and flower gardens become our “hobby” in the spring and it lasts all summer and into the fall as we prepare, plant, weed, harvest and then can or freeze veggies and berries! I am sure many enjoy a similar hobby but it is relaxing for us and it is great exercise as well! Since retirement from the Air Force I have had a few physical challenges as has Deb (to say the least, as she is a breast cancer survivor). Today marks the first anniversary of my 4th knee surgery and I struggle to control blood sugar as well. We have a…
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“Thank You” to generations of Veterans, past and present
A commercial ever get to you? What is it about a 30 second clip that can stir the emotions and start the tears flowing? This week I did see a TV commercial from Cedar Point advertising that Active Duty can get in free for Memorial Day weekend. That is something I can whole heartedly appreciate, but it didn’t stir my emotions. (Although I’m thinking this would NOT be a good weekend to visit an Amusement Park. It’s going to be busy and lines will be long… but I digress. I can still appreciate the gift.) But then there is this commercial from American Airlines … It is subliminal and I thought…
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Would you like a bouquet?
Recently we traveled to Fort Riley and participated in the Army Wife Network (AWN) “Priceless Package”. When this event comes to your post, be FIRST in line to sign up for a seat. It is an unbelievable time of relaxing, laughing, learning and sharing. All attendees walk out of that room with a greater understanding of military pride. They are armed with battle buddies, recognize that normal is WONDERFUL and gripping a piece of normalcy and holding on to that with flexed fingers is all important. Like my Aunt used to say… “whatever doesn’t make you stronger kills ya.” She had a way with words! This time is a must…
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“Shoulder to Shoulder” with the Afghan Legal System – DoD Roundtable
Are you ready to give your life for your country? For the privilege of voting? To defend your people from those who intimidate and would establish an autocratic legal system depriving many of basic human rights? When I started the DoD Blogger’s Roundtable this morning it was an add on to a very busy schedule and I was not sure how to talk about the Afghan legal system and its relevance to our readers! Then Colonel Rick Rousseau, with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA), NATO Training Mission Afghanistan & Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan (NTM-A/CSTC-A) told me about First Lieutenant (1LT) Lutfallah Abrihimi, an Afghan soldier, legal…
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The Alabama National Guard Responds to Deepwater Horizon Tragedy in the Gulf – DoD Roundtable
The damaging oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon rig is making national news and beginning to impact our military community. In addition to the US Coast Guard and active duty forces, the National Guard and Reserve forces are now involved as we seek to protect and clean up the Gulf Coast. I met with Major General A.C. Blalock to discuss one state’s National Guard response this afternoon during a DoD Blogger’s Roundtable. According to General Blalock, the state’s Adjutant General, the Alabama National Guard is responding to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico while preparing to protect the economy, resources and way of life of…
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Tasty Tuesday From Seeds to the Table
We did it! Threw fertilizer here and there, rotor tilled in fresh compost dirt, planted seeds after threat of frost. Frost came: turned on the sprinklers at some early ungodly hour and let it run, as the water is warmer than the air not allowing ice to form, and the sun did not have a crystal prism through which it could burn our babies! So, seeds in… popped out the ground, had an initial weeding, thinning and OH YEAH.. .We have spinach, lettuce and strawberries for our first salad of the season. A side salad, but oh so good. I will remember to rinse those leaves 6 times as opposed…
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The REAL “Priceless Packages” at Ft Riley
It is a tough time to be a military family! Period! No ifs; ands or buts! The military members’ multiple deployments to combat zones and the inherent dangers are too frequent with not enough time in between! The Guard and Reserve forces are being over tasked beyond their traditional roles and the active duty forces are seeing multiple deployments while continuing to PCS; do continuation and upgrade training; and respond to contingencies such as Haiti humanitarian relief! So seeing smiles and hearing young Army spouses laughing and giggling during last weeks Army Wife Network’s Field Exercise and their “Priceless Packages” was great! Star Henderson and Tara Crooks led a “seminar”…
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600 Museums offering free admission for our military!
“600 Museums offering Free Admission for Active Duty and their families” … That’s a lot of museums! I love museums… children’s museums, art museums, science museums, even a stroll through The Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Free Admission?! I have been spoiled by the Washington DC Smithsonian Museums in the past which are all free… but some museums are $10 to $15 per person! Free is nice! This summer, more than 600 museums in all 50 states are offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, through Labor Day, September 6, 2010 to show their appreciation for those who are…
