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Dedicated Dads and Moms and the Month of the Military Child
April is Month of the Military Child and it is a very appropriate recognition: therefore, a big shout out and thank you to these patriots! They have certainly served our nation in their many sacrifices and the challenges they face as children of active duty, reserve and guard parents. So just before that month of recognition I thought maybe we should recognize another group of folks that are rarely mentioned in the media or at the Department of Defense. In fact, unless there is a tragedy it is a like a silent majority type of group. The parents of our soldiers, airmen, marines, coasties and sailors have raised children that…
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An opportunity to win $1,000 from the Defense Credit Union Council
I just got this press release in my email and wanted to get the word out to our readers. The chance to win $1000 while making good financial decisions? Win-Win! (Hurry, deadline to enter is 2/29/2012) – Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com Win $1,000 during Military Saves Week from the Defense Credit Union Council!Staying motivated to save can be a hard task. That’s why, in honor of Military Saves Week, the Defense Credit Union Council is giving away $1,000 to one lucky military saver on SaveUp, a free rewards program that rewards you for good financial actions. Sign up at www.saveup.com/military and start playing for the $1,000 savings prize. This giveaway is exclusive…
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Army to Drawdown by 50,000 – The head “Scout” of the Army’s Enlisted Force Talks with MilitaryAvenue
SMA Chandler with 170th IBCT (see below for photo credit)Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), Raymond F. Chandler took some of his critical time to speak with the Bloggers Roundtable on Wednesday. He said felt like the lead Scout of the Army’s enlisted force and wanted to give us a feel of what the enlisted soldiers where concerned about and how the Army was dealing with their issues. The SMA was lively, interested in our questions and provided some great responses as he described an “amazing Army”. He told us we were at a crossroads in the Army with reduced budgets and a drawdown of forces that will impact everyone.…
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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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We Will Never Forget – 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11/01
Why I will never forget … You can ask me where I was on Sept 11th, 2001 and I am instantly brought back to my apartment. (I worked from home); sitting at my desk; nursing a migraine headache. I can remember calling my husband; IMing my co-worker, Dan; learning that my dad, a colonel in the Air Force, was on high alert with a very long day (month … year…) ahead of him. Tears would stream down my face periodically throughout the day. For me life had changed. But what about my children? They weren’t alive. Ask the generations that are in high school and younger and they really may…
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Energy Independence and the US Navy – DoD Bloggers Roundtable
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (Official Photo). It will “make us better warfighters” Are we improving our national security by demanding that the Department of Defense use biofuels? Are we experimenting with our ability to fight a war by requiring that by the year 2020, 50 percent of our Navy’s shore based energy requirement be supported by alternative sources other than fossil fuels? According to the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, the answer is a big yes and no! The DoD Bloggers Roundtable met with SECNAV yesterday to discuss his energy goals and how they interfaced with joint initiatives with the Department of Energy and Department of Energy.…
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A Must Read for a Better Understanding of PTSD “Achilles in Vietnam” by Dr Jonathan Shay
Volunteers of America Michigan Veteran Homeless ShelterDuring a recent visit to a veterans’ homeless shelter in Lansing, MI, Patrick Patterson, the Volunteers of America Michigan Vice President for Operations gave me two books to read. The gift was a great way for me to find meaning as to how our veterans end up on the street. As I read, Jonathan Shay’s “Achilles in Vietnam, Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character” the memories of the Vietnam era came flowing back to me… not as a combat veteran of that era but as an American who could not understand what was happening to my country, its soldiers and my friends. While…
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Mentorship in Marriage
39 years ago today, I wasn’t but a sparkle in my mom’s eye as she walked down the aisle in her beautiful white dress on her dad’s arm. Her focus, my dad, her future! My future. My children’s future. I have been blessed. Since that wedding day the Lt. and Mrs. became Mom and Dad to three children, me and my two younger brothers. They took their family where the military sent them, far from their own families. They relied on each other, friends around them and the grace of God. Their three children grew up, got married and had children. Dad has retired from the Air Force after thirty-years…
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Flourless Baked Berry Oatmeal Brunch Crunch
Sunrise service coming up with a brunch to follow. What to bring? When folks are allergic to flour, they search the table… When sugar is not friendly to a diabetic, they search the table. Here is a recipe for a flour less dish using Splenda Brown sugar. Baked Oatmeal1 1/2 C frozen blackberries1 T molasses1 1/3 c regular oats (Quaker oats)2 large eggs1/4 c firmly packed Splenda brown sugar (if using regular brown sugar use 1/2 c.)1/2 c unsweetened applesauce1/2 t ground cinnamon2 t. baking soda1/4 t baking powder1/2 t. salt2/3 c water1/4 c melted butterTopping1/2 c slivered almonds Spread blackberries evenly on the bottom of a lightly greased 8″…
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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…
