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Our Flag and Memories of 9/11
It was a simple act this morning: lowering the flag to half staff to remember 9/11/2001. It was a cool and wet morning and at first, I hesitated. Why should I head out within a week of chemotherapy, etc. I could find all kinds of reasons to sit in my comfortable chair and sip coffee… I was still on active duty; in fact, my crew had landed from an overseas mission in the middle of the night and headed home for some well deserved rest that was not to be. Half asleep and time zoned from a trip half way around the world, I was surprised to see and hear…
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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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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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Military Friends – A Puzzle for Our Civilian Counterparts
Military friends! Sometimes our military lifestyle is a puzzle to our civilian friends and the rest of the nation. We have some opportunities that civilians normally do not receive and we also face challenges and lifestyle issues they may never see. But one thing we have that is “just to die for” is our military friends. We come together from all over the country (and in some cases the world), of all races, ethnic backgrounds, economic and educational levels, different goals and lifestyles and so much more diversity that most Americans ever have the opportunity to experience. I have to admit that this is our (my military spouse, mil brats…
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Family and Community Values – the Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012
“Giving Back” “Building Strong Relationships” It was a great opportunity! Talk to an Iraq veteran, now a District Manager for Home Depot about his experiences and participation in Celebration of Service 2012 (COS 2012). Frank was in Richmond, Virginia supporting the Paralyzed Veterans of America Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter with 65 other volunteers in orange #COS2012 (twitter hashmark) shirts. The public relations coordinator was great but when the time zone for the call became a possible issue, I suggested using 1400 Zulu and the three veterans understood: one of the simple things that tie veterans together. Frank Blake Jr speaking at COS in Richmond VAFrank Blake Jr. is an Army veteran of…
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Month of the Military Child and a Get Together
The Month of the Military Child provides a great focus on a special group of Americans! One unique way to enjoy military kids: Good friends traveling across many miles to see each other. Military brats will always find a way to get together. MilitaryAvenue’s Dan had very special guests: friends from high school and on into adult hood. Both guys were young when they met at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland and when follow on PCS assignments for their parents brought them together again in Virginia, the friendship bonded. Now, both have wonderful children of their own which we held, hugged, laughed about and told stories before we digressed into…
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Captain Barry Crawford, another American Hero! DoD Blogger Roundtable
Today is a big day for an American hero. Captain Barry Crawford will be receiving the nation’s second highest award for combat valor – the Air Force Cross (each service has an equivalent). In front of friends, his special tactics team members, fellow military personnel and distinguished visitors, Captain Crawford will be recognized for his heroism on the battlefield in Afghanistan. His coolness under fire helped deliver ordnance from the skies to assist his special operations team and Afghan commandos and prevented them from being overrun! The Air Force special tactics officer is credited with saving many Afghan and US soldiers’ lives during that pitched 12 hour battle for control…
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Three Veterans in the Same Room
US Marines DoD PhotoOur country has a problem with military service. Less than 1% of our population is physically and mentally capable of serving in the armed forces! An interesting statistic but it does not hit home to most Americans. Then we find after serving so many can not find employment. Finding those who have successfully transitioned is always a great story. Last night during a medical test at the University of Michigan Cancer Center, it was surprising to find three veterans in the same room and two of them were employed there as technicians! One an Army retiree, served 26 years; the second, a former Marine (well always…
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“Life is Not Over When Injured” – One “Heroes at Home” Veteran Shares
He refused their help not once … twice … but three times… before saying yes. Why? “Others needed it more”. … It was a simple announcement on his part but I heard the caring attitude underneath of a medic, taking care of others first had always been part of him, but now he needed some help. Sgt Johnny Agpi was the 1,000th veteran who received help from the Sears Heroes at Home and Rebuilding Together program. After talking to his fellow Army veteran, Tom Aiello about the efforts to rebuild Johnny’s home yesterday I wrote about those helping our veterans, “Heroes at Home Helping Veterans One at a Time”. I…
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Leif Landed First Day
I love today. The calendar has it marked as Columbus Day. Oh the memories of childhood elementary school drawings and the smell of crayons are still carried in my mind. There were the stories and songs of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria sailing the ocean. Somehow these brave crews found the West Indies and are credited for laying claim on the Western Hemisphere. I always pictured a career group of sailors from Genoa working together, sharing food and chores: organized and cordial. And then I had humor thrown into the vision. In my Dad’s hometown in upstate New York live a cluster of Norwegian octogenarians. They love…
