Week in Review: Week of March 28 – April 3 (Military News)

Here are ten of our most popular military-related articles for the week on

MilitaryAvenue.com:

April is Month of the Military Child: April is a big month for military families as we recognize the younger part of the family teams that serve their country! Month of the Military Child is celebrated in many ways and you can find events occurring throughout the month at nearby installations! Military kids face many challenges and hurdles as they relocate with their families. From long separations with a deployed parent(s) to an extensive list of schools attended; friends made and then goodbyes spoken (too often for most parents). …
New DVD Helps Children Deal With Deployment: Defense and USO officials joined military families at the U.S. Navy Memorial here yesterday to celebrate the launch of a new DVD created to help military children cope with a parent’s deployment. “With You All the Way” — a joint effort by the Defense Department, USO and the Trevor Romain Co. — offers school-age children help with preparing for and dealing with all stages of deployment, from pre-deployment to separation to reintegration. …
Thriller: Soon I will celebrate the 24th anniversary of my 10th birthday. I know that is a strange way to say that yes, I am almost 34. But any military-brat can tell you the importance of that 10th birthday. Turning 10 meant independence, empowerment, growing-up; it was a big deal! It was the day I could get my Military ID Card! It was a yellow card with a hole and a chain that I could hang around my neck. It had an awkward picture of a pre-teen with a curly perm and loads of freckles. It said that I, yes I, had Exchange, MWR, and Commissary privileges. It wasn’t a driver’s license – but it was the next best thing. …
April: Month of the Military Child: This is going to be quick because I need to get outside and play with MY favorite Military-Brats. It is their first day of Spring Break. It is over 70 degrees outside. There is no reason for my to be behind the computer EXCEPT as a quick reminder that April is Month of the Military Child! What a wonderful group-of people to celebrate. I am one! I may be 36… but will always be a Brat! It has defined me, and continues to define me. …

Military Spouse Appreciation Day: We come in
all…
ShapesSizesAgesBackgroundsColorsTheologiesIdeologiesSocieties …
Faces Behind the Hero: Heather, Army Wife, Mother of Multiples, Blogging-Expert: Meet this week’s ‘Face Behind the Hero’, Heather. Yet another, wonderful, strong, inspiring military-wife! The wife of a linguist, a mother of *multiple* multiples, she knows what it means to serve. …
Exchange Online Mall Now Taking Travel Reservations: The Exchange Service’s Exchange Online Mall has partnered with the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation to help troops take a break without going broke. Now, any authorized exchange shopper can log on to the Exchange Online Mall and book a vacation, including 7-night Alaskan Cruises from $399, Cozumel from $28 per night and an 11-day European Dream vacation, through FMWRC’s Government Vacation Rewards program. …
MilitaryAvenue’s Moving Checklist: A move isn’t complete without a checklist! It certainly is less stressful with one. Click on a link below to take you to the appropriate timeframe and then skim the other lists to make sure you are on track for a great move: …
Keeping the “Trucks” Rolling Into, Around and Out of Afghanistan and Iraq – DoD Roundtable: The DoD Bloggers Roundtable met with Maj General Robert McMahon, Director of the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Center (CENTCOM DDOC) to discuss the logistics of surging in Afghanistan and drawing down forces in Iraq. With direct oversight of strategic logistics in both locations the general has quite a job. …
Helping Bereaved Military Children: Be honest and open: Use clear language that includes the term “death” rather than euphemisms (e.g. “loss”, “gone to sleep”) that may confuse children. Rather than having just one conversation, stay open to ongoing questions and discussions. Provide a sense of safety and security: Re-establishing routines and structure provide children with a comforting sense of stability in the midst of changes. For example, keep up with ongoing after-school activities and regular bedtimes. …
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