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Veterans Day 2013 Meals, Deals & Support
Veterans Day 2013 is less then a month away and it is time to acknowledge the companies that will take the time to appreciate our deserving US Veterans. National Meals, Deals and Support: Many of these Restaurants and Businesses are Franchises and Participation may vary. Be sure to call ahead to insure they are participating. Applebees (meal) on Monday, November 11th during business hours will give Veterans and Active Duty service members a signature entrée. (Participating locations only, identification required – see their website for list of supporting documents) Bar Louie (meal) is offering a lunch or dinner on Louie for all Veterans & Active Duty on Monday, November 11th. (Up…
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A True Hero,Spc. Frederick Greene! Why is the Army still calling Ft Hood Attack, “Workplace Violence”?
The Purple HeartFort Hood attack was “Workplace Violence”? Why? Are you kidding me? I have to admit this is an emotional issue for the military community and being part of that community it hit me hard when the “terrorist attack” occurred at Ft Hood in 2009. Watching the story of the court martial of the terrorist while he continues to draw his salary as a US Army soldier is just disgusting. Compare that to the families of those killed during the attack who have been denied many benefits because of how the Army categorized the attack! Their pay stopped the minute that the terrorist’s bullets ended the lives of their…
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GUARD Your Health! DoD Blogger Roundtable
GUARD Your Health! A very clever title and name for a National Guard health website > like it a lot. The Army National Guard launched a mobile friendly “GUARD Your Health” website on the 27th of June! With numerous resources for the geographically dispersed members of the National Guard, they want you to know it is there. With categories for health tools, health topics, benefits and resources, an Ask the Experts section and even personal stories to provide a pathway for others living the Guard Life, the site brings great resources to one location. Col. Anne L. Naclerio, Chief Surgeon, Army National Guard Directorate, and Chair, Women’s Health Task Force,…
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Today’s Teachers: Frontline of Defense for Military Children
Today’s Guest Post is from Levi Newman of Veterans United Network Today’s military children have to adapt to more stressorsthan ever before. Their parents are deployed more frequently and many kidschange schools anywhere from four to twelve times during the course of theirparents’ military service. It’s a stress many outside the military are unfamiliar with,especially teachers. The biggest service we can offer to these children andtheir teachers is to preparethem both for these transitions. And while the children can ask theirparents how to prepare for these changes, who is there for the teacher? You may be thinking, “What does a teacher need to know aboutthe child’s move?” Well, it really depends…
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On Your Way to a Smooth Move: DoD Roundtable
It is that time! PCS season is upon us and many military families are negotiating orders and beginning the process of planning for a move. With that in mind, I had a great chance to listen to and speak with Barbara Thompson, Director, Office of Family Policy/Children & Youth, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. We all know that a PCS can be an amazing adventure but also an incredible stressor on families. I have an example for you; in the late 80’s my family moved from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida to Keflavik, Iceland. Can you say, “Change of scenery”? In the end the move to Iceland was…
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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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“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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Valentines Care Package Ideas
It is that time of year. Time to pull out the USPS Flat Rate Shipping box, decorate it with hearts, smooches and words of endearment and fill it with love. What will you put in your Valentines Care Package? It is nice to have some economical ideas. Items he can use but show that you love him. Things that are small and easy to store that remind him of you. Love that is shared in a note, a kiss, a smell. If this sounds up your alley here are some great ideas for your very own Valentines Package: A homemade card or two from the kids would be great. Leave…
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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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Small Business Saturday: November 24, 2012
I am really intrigued by this idea of “Small Business Saturday”. The premise is the Saturday after Thanksgiving you go to your local family-owned, small business stores to do your Christmas Shopping.I got this ‘chain email from my mother-in-law a couple weeks ago. Usually I immediately hit delete on chains. I get over 100 emails a day so the delete key is my friend. But this one caught my eye and hits right along the Small Business Saturday concept: As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense…
