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Are You Making the Right Choices for Alcohol Use?
See Below for Photo CreditDecisions! We make them every day – active duty, reserves, guard members, retirees, military family members – all of us are faced with small or critical decisions every day of our lives. Sometimes, they are almost routine; like, what shoes do I wear today? Well, that might be a bigger decision for some than others. Sometimes a decision leaves us with a ‘I wish I had done it differently” or “What if” or a WTH (I prefer “heck”) moment or maybe, “Wow, I made the right choice”. Alcohol (for everyone over 21) can be a big decision. If you have not reached your 21st birthday, you…
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Pets for Patriots > A “How To” for Veterans
Stephanie and Fly > Photo Credit BelowOur four legged friends can be the best when we face the tough times: Sharing our time, greeting us at the door, telling us when we need to pet them, finding us when we need to “snuggle”, a warm blanket while watching March Madness, taking walks in the woods, chasing squirrels while we laugh, playing “catch”, sitting on our feet when they know we are deep in thought and so much more! So it was with eager anticipation that I waited to talk with Beth Zimmerman, the founder of Pets for Patriots! Are you a veteran or active duty service member? Do you need…
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Some Tools to Help You Be Fit for Spring!
Time to get outside! For many Americans including our military community, winter means indoor workouts, hiding from the cold weather, snow, rain, storms and more. A good challenge is always helpful for individuals to be ready for the next season. While winter storms pounded much of the country some parts of the country are far ahead with spring time flowers and warmer weather. Spring brings outdoor activity and I found some interesting ways to stay active during winter this year! Yes, I know it is almost spring but I think these were good enough to tell you about so next winter you can be outside and be fit and ready…
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“Save Automatically” and “Take the Saver Pledge Today”! DoD Blogger Roundtable
It was a crazy busy day for all of us and the DoD Blogger Roundtable with Sgt Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, his wife Lisa Battaglia, and Barbara Thompson, Director of Office of Family Policy/Children & Youth* had a rough and tumble start. It was all about and like military life and what great people the Battaglias are! During the Roundtable this couple did a fantastic job representing our enlisted force and they are on top of the issues. This week’s issue: Military Saves Week. They spoke about “Lifestyle Fitness”, “Financial Fitness” and Tools to reach them before they ran to their…
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Protecting Your Hard Earned Tuition Assistance – DoD Blogger Roundtable
Fairy tales often start like this: Once upon a time… But our military benefits are not the things of fairy tales, they are earned and deserved! Some colleges have been less than honest with our service members while taking their benefits. It only takes a few to leave a bad taste. I can personally relate as: Once upon a time, a Lieutenant signed up for an advanced degree program, drove 100 miles roundtrip for classes, spent hours studying and preparing for assignments while working a more than full time job and then received orders overseas. Two courses completed, in the bank for when the next opportunity arose several years later.…
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Tips to Protect Your Hard Earned Military Money! The BBB Military Line is for You.
Do not give away your hard earned military cash! You served. You or your soldier, airmen, marine, sailor or coastie served in a high threat environment to bring in the bacon and now an unethical business or person wants to take it from you. Have you ever been a victim of consumer fraud? Concerned about how to avoid becoming a victim? Many of our military community are vulnerable to consumer fraud, scams and contract issues due to their age, relocation to new and unfamiliar areas and their wide spread use of the internet according to Brenda Linnington, Director of the Better Business Bureau Military Line! Did you know that the…
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Two Very Different Veteran Day Celebrations
Last week I was privileged to be invited to the 3d Annual USAA Influencer Conference in San Antonio, TX. Today, I was invited to Pine Ridge Elementary School in Ada, MI. Both had Veterans Day celebrations that impacted me but in two very different ways. Both sent and had a wonderful message! USAA is built around veterans and their members are veterans and their families so there is a natural appreciation and their Veterans Day program certainly showed their affiliation. A dignified and respectful ceremony with flag officers, wounded warriors from the nearby medical center, family members, USAA team members and a crowded, standing room only audience. Captain Smiley speaking…
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“Mission: Transition” is October 27th!
Every once in a while I get really excited about something that is going to be helpful for or assist our troops and their families in a unique and special way. The Home Depot just announced “Mission: Transition” which will help the military community with their job search! Not just jobs at Home Depot but skills and tools for a veteran in transition and looking for civilian employment with any business. Photo Credit: Home Depot – See below A big date! On October 27th, Saturday, the Home Depot will provide veterans with training at more than 100 locations. The training will include resume ideas, interview tips and other transition topics. The…
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Tracking Santa with NORAD on Christmas Eve: Don’t be surprised, Be Ready!
How Fast is Santa’s Sleigh? Official NORAD response: Santa’s sleigh travels at Starlight Speed according to military trackers at NORAD’s headquarters in Colorado Springs. Don’t be surprised! Be ready; know when Santa is coming!This was so much fun! Let’s start from the beginning with a quick explanation from US Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Bill Lewis. Bill is part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) responsible for Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve. Bill said that 1,200 volunteers work the mission for 23 hours to ensure children worldwide know where Santa is going next. Some have done this as a family for 10-15 years and it is now part of…
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Calendars of the Season
Our calendars are there to remind us. Sometimes they say it is time for an appointment, or a vacation or maybe a weekend getaway. For military families they can mean the return of a loved one or the day they depart (hardest one maybe) for a mission or deployment. Today our little family calendar reminded us that 10 years ago today I had picked up a new brand new C-17 from the Boeing Long Beach California plant. It still had that brand new smell to it – like a car but without the leather. We landed to a bit of fanfare at McChord AFB with each new C-17 but tail…
