A Quick Review of 2011 on the Military-Family Blog from MilitaryAve...

What happened to 2011? It is almost gone and the MilitaryAvenue team discussed all the activity we had seen this year! So much to do and write about.  We saw the troops come from Iraq, discussions on the military drawdown for 2012 and beyond, military health issues at the forefront, homeless veteran initiatives, veteran employment resources, entertainers supporting the troops, we even grabbed the chance to attend the Military Bloggers Conference and so much more.

MilAve's Leanne Kocsis,
Inaugural Blogger of Month at USAA

Many of our regular features such Tasty Tuesday Recipes, the DoD Blogger Roundtable features on issues impacting the military community, book reviews, veteran support and military children articles continued with new ideas. Completely new this year, were the interviews with entertainers that supported the military community including Josh Gracin, Three Doors Down and Mark Wills. A series of giveaways/contests brought some smiles to the faces of our followers on social media and the blog! Our blogs were featured on our Facebook and Twitter accounts as we told our story to many new followers.

We began the year proudly with the inaugural USAA Blogger of the Month announcement still fresh on our minds, we made new friends with organizations such as the Home Depot Foundation, Sittercity, Volunteers of America, The Mission Continues and grew with long time friends like Army Wife Network. We continued to provide updates on military finances from USAA and veteran employment opportunities from companies such as the Home Depot and Sears.

MilitaryAvenue Featured during
Military Spouse Day on CNN

Our favorite feature this year? Ready, drum roll: 101 Ways to Thank a Military Spouse! Yes, the military spouses, the backbone of the military community, they so deserve recognition by their neighbors, friends and nation.  Our list earned us a highlight moment on CNN, too.  Our updated 101 Ways to Thank a Veteran continues to receive daily visits as many look for ways to say thank you to this so deserving population.

Did you realize we were posting on a second blog for business organizations that support the military community? Our story there tells the business community about you, your needs and more.  Marketing to the Military Community … Part of the MilitaryAvenue Story reaches out to tell the business community what others are doing to help, military important dates and much more.

Our gardening posts combined with the recipes provided a great way to expand on health issues and a healthy lifestyle. With two cancer survivors on the team, we saw reason to tell others about available resources, relay stories of support and caregiving.  Coupled with healthy gardening and recipes were regular posts on spiritual and mental-health needs.

It certainly has been quite the year as we posted more blogs this year than ever before on favorite subjects from all of our writers. Thank you to our readers and supporter! We do appreciate your comments, shares and re-posts. Have a blessed 2012 with much success and happiness. We are looking forward to writing even more to help you find resources, support your military family needs and personal needs as well. 

- The MilitaryAvenue Team

Col K

Dan

Leanne

Deborah