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New beginnings! Are you ready?
The new school year, a PCS this summer, a new job/employment, a deployment return or departure, a new or revitalized faith, a new workout routine, a wedding, a birth, a health crisis … all can be new beginnings for the military community. So how do you help yourself during new “stuff”? Remember the Old! It gives us strength to remember what helped us in the past. Looking at old pictures is a great way to enjoy old friends, family times, previous assignments, etc. More important though is the support emotionally and physically we get from the routines that we created to cope with the military lifestyle. The new school…
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A Gold Star Mom Speaks Up! DoD Blogger Roundtable
Staff Sergeant Carter See Photo Credit BelowStaff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter will receive the Congressional Medal of Honor on Monday, August 26th for heroism at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan on Oct. 3, 2009. There were eight soldiers from Carter’s unit killed during a ferocious battle that day. Pfc. Stephan Mace was one of them and his mother, Vanessa Adelson, has chosen to speak up to the American public about this story to highlight the sacrifices that are being made by the military community. The Gold Star community often serves quietly as Leanne noted earlier this week in her blog, “The Gold Star Family and Our American Flag“. Vanessa Adelson wants…
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The Gold Star Family & Our American Flag
This past weekend was out of this world. Boating, Bike Riding, Ga-Ga Ball, Campfire & S’mores, and much more, all wrapped in time spent as a family. A huge thank you to Ohio’s Operation Military Kids and the USO for supporting programs like Military Family Camp. This was top-notch support! I desperately want to share more about the weekend but need to take the time to share this solemn moment and give it its due “time in the spotlight”. In our group of about 50 there were three Gold-star families, enjoying the weekend just like the rest of us. On Sunday morning a Gold-Star Dad and his three grandsons, one being a Gold-Star…
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Memorial Day
See photo credit MilitaryAvenue PinterestThis Memorial Day is going to be different for us. We have many family members who have served and some who are currently serving. From World War II to present day Afghanistan with stops in Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We even have a grandson currently in basic training at Ft Leonard Wood who will do his service time as well. Praying that he will never see combat! But this Memorial Day there is a big hole in my heart where two WW II veteran brothers used to hang out and remind us of the many sacrifices they shared. These two men passed away…
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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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Impact of the Sequestration
A Compilation of Articles about the Sequestrationand the impact on Military Families From the Department of Defense & other relevant news sources: Carter Reassures Defense Industry Amid Budget UncertaintyMarch 12, 2013 – Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter pledged today that the Pentagon will not allow a $46 billion cut in spending and uncertainty over future funding to keep it from focusing on challenges facing the nation even though the current fiscal situation will lead to “perverse, unsafe and wasteful consequences.” (continued) Sequestration Pinch Includes Tuition Assistance SuspensionMarch 12, 2013 – Though budget woes led the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force to suspend their tuition assistance programs and the Navy…
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Super Bowl Sunday: It’s all about the food
The Super Bowl is this Sunday and I admit, the first thing it brings to mind is food for me. Clearly the 49ers or Ravens are not in my top 10 teams. Don’t judge.We will be enjoying Chili, Source: militaryblog.militaryavenue.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on Pinterest Buffalo Chicken Dip, Source: spicedblog.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on Pinterest Salsa, Source: militaryblog.militaryavenue.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on Pinterestand some crunch veggies and dip. But there are some other great ideas too that I thought you would enjoy! Be sure to watch our new Celebrations, Gatherings and more – Military Family Style Pinterest Board for more fun ideas Source: pizzazzerie.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on Pinterest Source: facebook.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on…
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The Christmas Tree – Military Family Style
O Christmas TreeO Christmas TreeHow Lovely are Your branchesIsn’t it amazing how many different styles of Christmas trees there are? The Country Christmas Tree The Patriotic Christmas TreeSource: Uploaded by user via MilitaryAvenue.com on Pinterest The Family Christmas tree filled with handmade ornaments and other special memories The ‘Ammuntion Tree’!Source: twitpic.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on PinterestEven the Camouflage Christmas TreeSource: treeclassics.com via MilitaryAvenue.com on PinterestWe have one Camouflage Christmas Tree to give away from TreeClassics.com! I think it would be perfect for a Family Readiness Group or Military Spouse Group to display. It would be lovely in an office or in an armory. It would look splendid in a home or perhaps the home away from…
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The Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012 – Meet a military family.
The Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012 – Meet the Purvis family! I had the pleasure of meeting the Purvis family in GrandRapids, Michigan last week, as a part of The Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012. The Home Depot provided them (that we delivered) with decorations, a corner Christmas tree, and an opportunity to meet a wonderful family. Throughout my time with the family we shared plenty of laughs and a few serious and emotional topics. Mr. Purvis has been in the Army National Guard forabout 11 years. He has been deployed 3 times,to Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan. The family’s living room wall is covered in pictures and memories…
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November is Military Family Month
As a fellow member of the Military Family I want to take time to say ‘Thank you’. Thank you to ourAirmen,Marines,Coasties,Soldiers,Sailors.Thank you to our VeteransThose that have served (and continue to serve today) in:World War 2,Korea,Vietnam,Bosnia,Persian Gulf,Iraq,Afghanistan,Africa,Cuba,Panama,Libya, and around the world. Thank you to our FamiliesWives,Husbands,Children,Moms & Dads,Friendsand Prayer Warriors 101 Ways to Thank a VeteranI appreciate when the ‘powers that be’ send out notes or in this case videos of thanks and appreciation. Enjoy these two videos geared for you the Veteran and Military Family: Chairman Dempsey & Sgt. Maj. Battaglia’s 2012 Veterans Day Message: Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, and Mrs. Lisa Battaglia share…
