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May is Military Appreciation Month
“… being part of the military tradition and all of the hoopla!” This month is Military Appreciation Month and while it highlights an opportunity for government leaders, civilians, neighbors, extended family and businesses to thank our men and women in uniform, their families and veterans; we should take a moment to appreciate ourselves too! The military lifestyle is tough and we share a unique perspective on world events. Yes, we have/had jobs where our families watched CNN or other news to see where we might be going next. How many prayers have gone up for our safety, protection and success? This month is a great opportunity to reflect on what…
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Inspiration for Veterans Day > A Critically Wounded Hero and His Wife Speak Up
As Veterans Day approaches my thoughts (and I am guessing many Americans as well) frequently go to images of World War II veterans, local veteran recognition, parades, corporate efforts for veteran employment announcements and images of Arlington National Cemetery. CPT Edward Klein and wife Jessica See below for photo creditThe wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a new focus on veterans and one that often (thankfully) includes the wounded heroes who will bear the scars, invisible injuries and lost limbs of war. Captain Edward Klein, US Army, a triple amputee due to an IED attack in Afghanistan, and his wife Jessica joined the DoD Blogger Roundtable to discuss their…
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Happy Military Spouse Day! Let’s Talk Jobs for Spouses > DoD Blogger Roundtable
Do you remember… What a great day! Celebrating the contributions of military spouses to their families, services and country! A special shout out to my favorite military spouses > MilAve_Deborah and MilAve_Leanne. Immense contributions at that but I digress from the purpose of this blog which is to announce how much progress can be said for military spouse employment and provide “How To” tools to help! When the DoD Blogger Roundtable met yesterday afternoon there was no big announcements, no laudatory pats on the back, just continued improvement of tools that military spouses can use to find gainful employment or continued success in their choice of careers. The top item…
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Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 11, 2012
Each year the Friday before Mother’s Day is Military Spouse Appreciation Day; May 11, 2012. “The first Military Spouse Day was first celebrated in 1984 when then-President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the observance to honor the contributions of military spouses. The military now sets aside the Friday before Mother’s Day each year to pay tribute to the spouses who play a vital role in the nation’s defense.” (http://www.army.mil/spouse/) This is a day to love, appreciate and tell the US military-spouses in our lives and around the world a special ‘Thank You’ for all you have done. Military Spouses are flexible … Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on Pinterest They are resilient … Source:…
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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 USAAMany 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…
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#79 of 101 Ways to Thank a Veteran: Send a Christmas Card
Have you read 101 Ways to Thank a Veteran? They were written with Veterans Day in mind but many for all year round. 79. Remember Veterans during other holidays, especially those without family. Send a Thanksgiving card, Christmas card or Valentines card, to either a Vet that you know or through a VA Hospital or VFW.– http://www.militaryavenue.com/ways_to_thank_veteran Last night after dinner, we cleared the dishes, did our usual cleanup routine and then I pulled out the craft supplies. Glitter, paint, glue, markers, stock-paper and oh so much more Time to make Christmas Cards for a special Veteran in my life, my Grandfather (and Grandmother). They are far from family, not…
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But Serve They Did – A Story of Service from WWII
Members of the 442nd – See belowWe continue to highlight the efforts of our veterans to protect our freedom and illustrate why we celebrate Veterans Day! A ceremony in the nation’s capital will honor a special group of American veterans from WWII tomorrow. Many of us do not remember the fear after the Pearl Harbor attack of the possible invasion by Japan. I remember my grandparents and parents speaking of it fiercely. Orders followed to intern Americans of Japanese descent in camps as a response to this fear. Imagine those Americans’ feelings! Originally, some service members were released from active duty, many had families in internment and yet they were…
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Your Voting Opportunities Just Got Easier! DoD Blogger Roundtable
Time does seem to fly! We are approaching Veterans Day 2011 so fast. Do you know that by next Veterans Day we will have had elections for President, Congress and local officials too! Why talk about elections now? Because so many of our veterans and in particular, active duty folks did not vote in 2010 or 2008! The folks with so much at stake with the direction of their government; either, made the choice not to vote, or had a problem getting their ballots. So… we talked to Mr. Bob Carey, director, Federal Voting Assistance Program during a Bloggers Roundtable yesterday and he outlined what the federal government and DoD…
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Heroes at Home – Helping Veterans One at a Time
It was an easy conversation, two veterans talking about what they both enjoy doing – helping other veterans, particularly those in need. None to be left behind… Tom AielloTom Aiello and I had met in New York during another great veteran event last year but now we were talking about the Sears Heroes at Home program. Heroes at Home had just finished the rebuild of their 1,000th veteran home in conjunction with Rebuilding Together. I could hear the pride in Tom’s voice as we talked about the program that has given back so much to veterans. Sgt Johnny Agbi was an Army medic, disabled, in a wheel chair, living alone…
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Help for Our “Troubled” Veterans
This Veteran’s Day may not be so special for a group of veterans – those incarcerated in our federal and state prisons. Do you know a veteran who took a wrong step or maybe the legal system went awry? According to 2007 statistics there were 140,000 veterans in prison (federal and state) and most had honorable discharges from their military service. (National Coalition of Homeless Veterans) Facing similar situations as our homeless veteran population with mental illness, addictions and reintegration issues they are frequently forgotten members of our society. A friend who served time at Ft Leavenworth’ US Disciplinary Barracks is still a strong emotional memory. A subordinate imprisoned there…
