Week in Review: Week of May 23 – 29 (Military News)

MilitaryAvenue.com:

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! …
600 museums offer military families free admission: 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 serving this nation. Here’s some basic information, but please check FAQs at http://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index.php for further details: …
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! I think it is awesome what Blue Star Families has done to encourage museums around the United States to recognize our military families! …
States Thank the Military: May is National Military Appreciation Month—a time to honor, appreciate, and remember military personnel and their families for their service to our country. It recognizes those on active duty, the National Guard and Reserves, retirees, veterans and all their families and survivors. As indicated below, many states show appreciation to the military in unique ways. …
“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 …
101 Ways to thank a Veteran: Have you thanked a veteran today?
Why is a Military Discount Valuable for a Marketing Strategy: Occasionally I revert back to my military experiences when planning events for the family. I receive some friendly harassment from family members who are used to it and also those still adapting to the “colonel” in their lives. But my planning is part of the strategy of getting the most of life; following my principles and God; and taking time to care for those who I protect and love. So my strategy sets the tone for my planning. What is strategy? …
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. …
Gold Star wife named Army Spouse of Year: “It’s very humbling,” said Military Spouse Magazine’s Army 2010 Spouse of the Year, “and it makes me feel good about the work I have done.” Nicki Bunting was named the magazine’s Army spouse of the Year for her work in organizing a memorial run in honor of her late husband, Capt. Brian “Bubba” Bunting, who was killed in Afghanistan. Called “Bubba’s Belly Run,” the Sept. 27 event on the grounds of Bullis High School in Potomac, Md., raised more than $56,000 for military charities including Flat Daddies, Fisher House and the American Widow Project. …
Don’t Let Natural Disasters Become Financial Disasters: With the 2010 hurricane season approaching, experts at home insurer and financial services provider USAA urge coastal area residents to take steps now to help protect not only their homes and families, but their household finances as well. Weather experts predict an above-average hurricane season this year, with as many as 15 named storms. USAA, which provides banking, insurance, and financial services to members of the U.S. military and their families, advises its members to develop thorough and comprehensive plans for weathering major storms. …