I'm so very happy to see that the government and the nation are taking time to recognize military children in America. According to the Dept of Defense, there are 1.7 million American children and youth under 18 with a parent serving in the military and about 900,000 with one or both parents deployed multiple times.
Here's a fantastic video from First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on the importance of the military child.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Month of the Military Child
I feel like I find a way to work in the fact that I'm a military brat into every post I write. It's in my Twitter bio and my LinkedIn profile. There's an entire section of my Facebook profile dedicated to it. And most importantly, it's in every breath I take.
Being a military brat is a great deal of who I am and even though I'm no longer a child, it's one of the things I work into a conversation when I'm first meeting someone. It's been who I am for as long as I can remember and it sums up my childhood so phenomenally, that it's hard to not use it as my primary identifier.
April is the month of the military child. I don't know when it started, but I'm ever so thankful that it has. When I was growing up, my friends and I used to joke with our parents about how we've "served" too. I remember my father laughing and saying, sure you do kid. But it's true . . . we do. We're shipped off with their boots every two to three years. We represent America every where we go, especially overseas, and our lives are also controlled by the government. We're there waiting for them to return home when they deploy. Yes, we do serve too.
For the record, those were the best years of my life and they are the ones that defined who I am. I'd gladly do it again and then again. It was a great honor to be a military brat and even though I'm no longer a child, I know that deep inside I will always be a military child.
If you know a military child, take time to honor them this month. Even a small thank you - just two simple words - can mean so very much. They sacrifice so much every day, alongside their military parents. Without them, the troops could not do what they do.
To all the military brats out there past, present and future we will forever be united. While the nation honors you this month, we will honor you always.
Being a military brat is a great deal of who I am and even though I'm no longer a child, it's one of the things I work into a conversation when I'm first meeting someone. It's been who I am for as long as I can remember and it sums up my childhood so phenomenally, that it's hard to not use it as my primary identifier.
April is the month of the military child. I don't know when it started, but I'm ever so thankful that it has. When I was growing up, my friends and I used to joke with our parents about how we've "served" too. I remember my father laughing and saying, sure you do kid. But it's true . . . we do. We're shipped off with their boots every two to three years. We represent America every where we go, especially overseas, and our lives are also controlled by the government. We're there waiting for them to return home when they deploy. Yes, we do serve too.
For the record, those were the best years of my life and they are the ones that defined who I am. I'd gladly do it again and then again. It was a great honor to be a military brat and even though I'm no longer a child, I know that deep inside I will always be a military child.
If you know a military child, take time to honor them this month. Even a small thank you - just two simple words - can mean so very much. They sacrifice so much every day, alongside their military parents. Without them, the troops could not do what they do.
To all the military brats out there past, present and future we will forever be united. While the nation honors you this month, we will honor you always.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Outback Steakhouse Supports Operation Homefront
Run, don't walk to your local Outback Steakhouse! This call to action isn't just because their food is super tasty, but because the restaurant chain has announced its commitment to donate $1M to Operation Homefront. How can you help? Order off of their special created "Red, White and Bloomin Onion" menu!
Special thanks to Outback for their generous donation and continued support of military families nationwide. Most importantly, our ending thanks to the Operation Homefront team. The military community recognizes what you do on a daily basis and how you're making an impact in our lives. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Special thanks to Outback for their generous donation and continued support of military families nationwide. Most importantly, our ending thanks to the Operation Homefront team. The military community recognizes what you do on a daily basis and how you're making an impact in our lives. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
2011 List of Military Friendly Schools
As I was surfing the Military Life section of the Stars and Stripes website today, I came across a website link underneath the education section that I had to share.
Are you a veteran, active duty member or a military spouse looking to attend a higher education establishment that is military friendly? Look no further than militaryfriendlyschools.com!
This website was created with you in mind and lists approximately 1,000 colleges, universities and trade schools that accept the GI Bill and other support programs. Aside fom the listing, the website also has a college matchmaking tool to help you make your decision.
Happy hunting!
Are you a veteran, active duty member or a military spouse looking to attend a higher education establishment that is military friendly? Look no further than militaryfriendlyschools.com!
This website was created with you in mind and lists approximately 1,000 colleges, universities and trade schools that accept the GI Bill and other support programs. Aside fom the listing, the website also has a college matchmaking tool to help you make your decision.
Happy hunting!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Should General Petraeus Get a Fifth Star?
Last week combat veterans suggested that General Petraeus should be awarded a fifth star - an extremely rare honor that hasn't happened in many decades.
Many feel that Petraeus should receive this promotion in honor of his outstanding leadership and service in the War Against Terrorism, as well as the troops he has led.
The five star club is very elite - only nine other individuals have earned it including generals Dwight Eisenhower, John Pershing, George Marshall, Admiral Chester Nimitz and Douglas MacArthur.
Petraeus took charge last year in Afghanistan and has won public praise for his efforts. A Facebook page has been created in support of the five star nomination effort but as of now, the House Armed Services Committee has reported that there are no plans to make this a priority.
What do you think - does Petraeus deserve a fifth star? While his accomplishments have been significant, should it be awarded after the War on Terror is won?
Many feel that Petraeus should receive this promotion in honor of his outstanding leadership and service in the War Against Terrorism, as well as the troops he has led.
The five star club is very elite - only nine other individuals have earned it including generals Dwight Eisenhower, John Pershing, George Marshall, Admiral Chester Nimitz and Douglas MacArthur.
Petraeus took charge last year in Afghanistan and has won public praise for his efforts. A Facebook page has been created in support of the five star nomination effort but as of now, the House Armed Services Committee has reported that there are no plans to make this a priority.
What do you think - does Petraeus deserve a fifth star? While his accomplishments have been significant, should it be awarded after the War on Terror is won?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Three Cheers for Tostitos and the Connect to Home Bowl!
On the first day of the new year, America tuned into the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and got to see how the brand, in conjunction with the USO, brought a piece of home to our troops overseas over the holidays.
The brand shined a national spotlight on our military heroes during the game's broadcast by showing video clips from the Tostitos "Connect to Home Bowl" – a football experience that was created exclusively for U.S. service men and women stationed in Iraq. Visit the Tostitos Facebook page to see all the action!
Also, don't forget that you'll be able to catch more on Monday, Jan 10th on ESPN during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game where families of the troops who played in the game in Iraq will be honored in a special way. Three cheers for Tostitos - the military community thanks you for your continued support!
The brand shined a national spotlight on our military heroes during the game's broadcast by showing video clips from the Tostitos "Connect to Home Bowl" – a football experience that was created exclusively for U.S. service men and women stationed in Iraq. Visit the Tostitos Facebook page to see all the action!
Also, don't forget that you'll be able to catch more on Monday, Jan 10th on ESPN during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game where families of the troops who played in the game in Iraq will be honored in a special way. Three cheers for Tostitos - the military community thanks you for your continued support!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Hello 2011!
True story - it's been almost an entire year since I've blogged. And even though so much has time has passed since, I never once thought of walking away entirely. I hope to be much more successful this year - and by successful I mean that I hope to put out a steadier stream of readership worthy posts.
To the few readers I have left - thanks for sticking with me and interacting with me on Twitter, where I never seem to have a problem appearing!
Now, a few personal updates and then onto the good stuff . . . the military stuff everyone in our community loves!
The past twelve months have been so insane that there's no way I could put it into words. Besides if I did it would fill up a book and for now it's simply being filed in my head until I have time to focus. So here are a few sentences. 2010 was supposed to be epic and the truth is that it was. A wave of highs and lows so dramatic that if life had a voice it would stop and say, is this real?
It was and somehow I did just fine. Despite suffering another major family loss during my engagement - this time it was my father in law and it came just four months before the big day - and a whole host of other things, I did become a Mrs!
I also became an even stronger person, grew professionally and connected with my military friends on a whole new level. So here's to 2011, which I welcomed with open arms.
To the few readers I have left - thanks for sticking with me and interacting with me on Twitter, where I never seem to have a problem appearing!
Now, a few personal updates and then onto the good stuff . . . the military stuff everyone in our community loves!
The past twelve months have been so insane that there's no way I could put it into words. Besides if I did it would fill up a book and for now it's simply being filed in my head until I have time to focus. So here are a few sentences. 2010 was supposed to be epic and the truth is that it was. A wave of highs and lows so dramatic that if life had a voice it would stop and say, is this real?
It was and somehow I did just fine. Despite suffering another major family loss during my engagement - this time it was my father in law and it came just four months before the big day - and a whole host of other things, I did become a Mrs!
I also became an even stronger person, grew professionally and connected with my military friends on a whole new level. So here's to 2011, which I welcomed with open arms.
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