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Staying Safe while Christmas Shopping
The Christmas season, rather synonymous with “the shopping-season”. We grab the lists, grab the keys, and head to our local department shops to buy gifts for loved ones. But what can be a time of merriment and fun can quickly go south if we become unsuspecting victims. Here are five quick tips to staying safe and protecting your belongings while hitting the crowded malls and department shopping stores. 1. Situational awareness. Be aware of those around you. Put down your phone, keep an eye on other shoppers, watch your 3 o’clock, 9 o’clock and even your 6 o’clock. (Can you tell I’m the daughter of a pilot?). Don’t be so focused on your shopping that…
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Life is an adventure not a race
How often do you take the road less travelled? Driving home from a weekend with college friends. A trip across state lines, many state lines. Time with just hubs as my boys were at home with Grandpa and Grandma. Ahead of us was Breezewood, PA and hubs was already grumbling about that “gosh awful” interchange. (I just might have edited that grumbling to make it more family friendly.) A last minute decision between the two of us and we found ourselves driving the passes of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains instead. It was white, pristine, beautiful, a lovely change of pace. The Cumberland valley was wind swept, quiet, peaceful. The countryside…
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Joining Forces Christmas Cards from Military Children
As you know I am all about military support! I am the granddaughter of World War II Veterans, the daughter of an Air Force pilot and the wife of an Army Soldier. Anytime I can instill pride in my children for these generations before them I do. So I really love the idea behind Michelle Obama’s latest Joining Forces request. The First Lady is asking military children from around the globe for some personal contributions to the finishing touches on the White House decorations this holiday season. The request is for military children to submit 5×8″ handmade holiday cards with words of appreciation for their military parents, as well…
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A Split Second Decision – and a Medal of Honor! DoD Blogger Roundtable
Medal Of Honor Recipient Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry and his wife Ashley“Rangers Lead the Way” We all make them – those decisions that are made in the blink of an eye. But some are more important than others, how about life changing ones? We take time to consider those? Right? Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry had a life changing decision and he only had the blink of an eye to make it in – the grenade was live, it was close and he and his fellow Rangers were going to die. His decision to pick up the Taliban’s grenade and throw it away from his team saved their lives and…
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“The Army In Your Pocket” – DoD Roundtable
Do you have a smart phone? How do you use it? Can you use the Apps on it? I have one and there are so many applications (ie Apps) that I can not keep up with them. It appears that Uncle Sam via the US Army is ready to use commercial technology to help our soldiers fight the wars and win the missions that our country’s leadership tasks them to do. “The Army In Your Pocket” came from Lt General Michael Vane during a Department of Defense Blogger’s Roundtable this morning. General Vane is the Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center who answered my first question, “what were the…
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The Power of Women in Afghanistan is Growing! – DoD Roundtable
Imagine female pilots in the Afghan military! How about an Afghan Army Officer Commissioning Class of 29 women! Or 35% of the population of students attending college at Kabul University! As we spoke with Dr Jack Kem, Deputy to the Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan this morning you could hear the excitement of his explanations of where the issues of “gender main streaming” were headed. Speaking primarily of military and police issues he was cautious about the progress but highlighted the successes and what they meant for the Afghan society as a whole. The Afghan constitution gives equal rights but a society impacted by illiteracy and fears is accepting…
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Coming Back After Being on the Bench for a Bit
Today is a big day for me and the rest of the team for MilitaryAvenue! I am able to return from a short time away due to medical issues. I seriously missed my communication with you our friends on MilitaryAvenue, whether on the site, Facebook or twitter! After being in top health for so many years of flying I never considered the possibility and impact of multiple surgeries, long hospital stays and pain medications. Although, the pain meds have created some great moments of humor for the family, friends and me! Always trying to find a bright spot from a bad thing can be a challenge and I use humor…
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Father’s Day Tribute to Dad and GrandDad
Our grandson is learning parts of speech… Noun, Verb, Adjective and Adverb.An end of year English assignment.Applying this lesson to our marvelous military Dads…Here goes: pilot, mechanic, chemist, scientist, driver, boss, private, ensign, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, officer, NCO, teacher, student, doctor, psychologist, nurse, technician, author, chief, cook, photographer, dancer, golfer, swimmer, runner, walker, jogger, trainer, athlete, musician, astronaut, diver, physicist, professional fly, soar, zoom, fight, protect, challenge, uphold, encourage, trust, teach, learn, study, hold, shoot, read, write, swim, dive, direct, diagnose, decipher, decide, lead, develop, display, speed, endure, sweat, intelligent, talented, dedicated, persistent, able bodied, nuclear, trained, good, better, best, long-suffering, articulate, handsome, brave, light hearted, caring, conquering, boldly, brilliantly,…
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Another Barrier Broken! The X-51A, Waverider Reaches Mach 5! DoD Roundtable
I love aircraft, any kind of aircraft, especially new aircraft and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s most recent effort is no exception. The X-51A Waverider, a hypersonic flight test demonstrator built by a team from the Air Force, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Navy had a successful flight on May 26th! Hypersonic flight is described as Mach 5, five times the speed of sound! The DoD Roundtable discussed this $246.3M program and heard from Charlie Brink, Air Force Research Laboratory’s X-51A Scramjet Engine Demonstrator program manager; Joseph Vogel, Boeing Phantom Works/Defense, Space & Security Director of Hypersonics X-51A program manager; George…
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The Veterans Airlift Command says, “THEY’VE GOT HEART…THEY NEED WINGS”
I was hard at work today when I saw a tweet from a friend and decided to find out more! Ever follow your gut and realize that you did the right thing later? Stephanie, a Marine Corps spouse asked if I had ever heard of Veteran Airlift Command and I said no, but let me check this out. A pilot is always curious about aircraft stories and this one sounded interesting. Supporting veterans has a real ring in my ears! Jumping to Veterans Airlift Command’s website and blog I found some great information about some real patriots! Yep patriots! Say it again, these guys are patriots! Next thing you know…
