-
“… Upholding the Traditions We Have in America”
“The appreciation and kind thoughts will last much longer than the vegetables and my health will continue to be refreshed by all three!” Row Markers Americans are famous worldwide for helping our neighbors out. Find a tsunami, earthquake or a camp for the victims of war and you will usually find American personnel, supplies or donated equipment; sometimes all three. We give through our churches, the Red Cross and many other non profits and our military forces are usually at the forefront of overseas efforts. At home, neighbors and families can be seen doing the weekend projects that often end in refreshments or even a barbecue at this time of…
-
More than just the winter-blues
The Holidays. They can be a very tough time of year. Not only is it getting darker and darker in our part of the hemisphere but we are missing family, friends and loved ones that are around the world. We are looking back at our year and have seen changes we may or may not like. We are looking ahead wondering what the year ahead will have in store for us. Your spouse might be deployed. Your parents might be thousands of miles away. You may be experiencing the mind-blowing effects of PTSD. Your schedule is crazy and the thought of ‘Silent Night’ is really only a song. Or it might…
-
Change of Command: Celebrate Parade Rest
Although geese fly in formation, they did not waddle on the parade field at Scott AFB. No goose steps. The left feet hit the turf on the beat of the bass drum. Flights, squadrons, groups and wings presented polished top notched personnel, as always, ready to shine and report to General Welsh, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Our military has a time honored tradition to uphold precision and honor in a way that showcases the challenge of working together. The step by step, in step march of men and women blends the missions the training and the esprit de corps of individual squadrons, groups and wings: they…
-
Tracking Santa with NORAD on Christmas Eve: Don’t be surprised, Be Ready!
How Fast is Santa’s Sleigh? Official NORAD response: Santa’s sleigh travels at Starlight Speed according to military trackers at NORAD’s headquarters in Colorado Springs. Don’t be surprised! Be ready; know when Santa is coming!This was so much fun! Let’s start from the beginning with a quick explanation from US Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Bill Lewis. Bill is part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) responsible for Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve. Bill said that 1,200 volunteers work the mission for 23 hours to ensure children worldwide know where Santa is going next. Some have done this as a family for 10-15 years and it is now part of…
-
“1001 Things To Love About Military Life”
“1001 Things To Love About Military Life” and the authors have found them! What fun! A book to read that chronicles the military lifestyle in a positive manner and resources, moments of laughter, re-living the life or learning the life are all there! Inputs from four authors and social media friends provide a great coffee table reader for your guests! Your military friends will pick it up and find a section to comment on or your civilian friends will pick it up and ask questions like, “was it really like this? Or, did you really like military life? A great way to begin a conversation and tell others why we…
-
NORAD is ready to track Santa’s flight
This is so much fun! Last year my boys and I pulled up NORAD’s site at www.noradsanta.org and watched Santa travel around the world on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun talking to my boys about different cultures, different time zones, the way the earth spins, different parts of the world and the boys and girls that live all around us, all while watching Santa ZOOM from place to place. You can follow them on Facebook to keep up with the latest: http://www.facebook.com/noradsantaMake this part of your Christmas Tradition. You won’t regret it: NORAD is ready to track Santa’s flight Dec. 1, 2011PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The North American…
-
Elf on a Shelf
Read about the Letter our Elf bringseach yearWe are a family of tradition. Old ones from the days of my forefathers (this is what my mom tells me); ones created in my own childhood (the wife of an airman living thousands of miles from family my mom had creative juices flowing all the time); now traditions that I am creating for my own children. Tomorrow, as is tradition each December 1st, our Elf comes to visit! For a number of years he has been visiting and he moves around the house each night. Who knows where he is going to pop-up next. Each morning my boys get up excited to figure out where…
-
Christmas Traditions Decorating at Home and at Church
As the leftover Thanksgiving turkey is down to turkey salad, Christmas decorations are hauled from the closets. Boxes, cartons and plastic bins hold memories, treasures and herald the coming holiday. The last plastic bin was rifled through hoping to reveal perky Christmas towels. There on the bottom, as if an afterthought was a sheet of typed, well copied paper from Keflavik Naval Air Station’s PWOC about Christmas tree history. A paper reminder of good times, great ladies, strong values: military spouses of all services and NATO nations. Christmas Tree HistorySince the earliest days of the bringing of evergreens indoors at Christmastime has been one of the first ways of giving…
-
Spouse’s Corner: Traditions – The Backbone of the Holidays
By now the decorations are up, the menu is being set, the cards and invites are purchased and stamps have been budgeted. Well, maybe in a perfect world. But the thought process has traveled down that project list. We hold traditions to keep the family on track as to what the family does: traditions help define family values and heritage. Some of these traditions can be left by the wayside without hesitation. I grew up in a Norwegian household. Lutefisk was always there on the table, but not anymore! Now I don’t even know if it is available in Michigan where I live. Oranges and walnuts were stuffed in our…
-
Traditions
Autumn has fallen upon us with force. Halloween decorations have been long put away and thoughts of Thanksgiving meals are upon us; followed quickly by Christmas lights, gifts and carols. ‘Tis The Season My family will soon pack up the minivan to drive ‘over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go!’ A long-weekend with my parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. But that is just a piece of the ‘Thankgiving Tradition’. Some years we do Thanksgiving with my husband’s family which involves his grandmother and all of her siblings and their families. It’s a HUGE gathering! As an Air Force Brat there were years that my…
