Profiling a MilBlogger: Deb from YankeeMom.com
In an ongoing series spotlighting military blogs maintained by female bloggers, the You Served staff recently sat down with Deb from YankeeMom.com to learn more about the woman behind the popular milblog. She generously took time out of her day to participate. Enjoy!
You Served: What led you to be a Military Blogger?
Yankee Mom: My daughter decided to enlist in the Army in her senior year of High School. I had been reading everything online I could about the military and the wars and through this online searching, discovered the milblogs.
Finding a military community online was a godsend because I was then living in a town that wasn’t very pro-military. I was prodded to start my own blog by some folks at the troop support organization I was involved in. I wasn’t so sure I was the blogger type, but then my daughter left for Basic and I was mostly alone in dealing with it.
I found little understanding with the people I knew in town. Blogging was a great outlet for my rollercoaster emotions and I also received so much support from other military family members and soldiers online.
YS: Do you feel that being a female Military Bloggers adds a unique
perspective to your blog? If yes, how so?
YM: As far as being female actually meaning “Military Mom” in my case.
I know that reading other Soldiers Moms’ blogs has really helped me in adjusting to having a soldier daughter. It’s important to connect with others who are going through the same thing. Having a child in the military during war is something few non-military people can understand.
YS: What impact has your blog had on you and those who are part of your
blogging community?
YM: I have gained so much from having a blog. I have been able to connect with many, many wonderful people I would never had the chance to meet otherwise. It has opened up a whole new world of information and support. I’m much more aware of what’s happening in the country and world and how it affects me and mine. And it’s allowed me to be more proactive as a citizen.
I hope that I have been able to help others in the same way.
YS: What is the best part about being a MilBlogger?
YM: The best part is the getting to know other bloggers and the people who come by my blog and leave comments. The support network is outstanding, whether it’s for me, my daughter or one of my adopted soldiers. The other best thing is it’s an outlet for my emotions. My husband appreciates me blogging so he doesn’t have to listen to my rantings all the time.
YS: What advice would you give to a woman who wants to start her own MilBlog?
YM: DO IT!! And don’t hesitate to ask other bloggers for advice or help. We love to help other voices get out there.
CJ
March 19th, 2008 at 11:20 amThank you, Yankee Mom. And please pass along my thanks to your daughter. The most patriotic Americans read Milblogs. We have the smartest, most informed readers on the planet about military related issues.
Leta
March 26th, 2008 at 7:12 pmYankeemom is an incredible mom, friend and American. I met her via milblogs and am grateful the milblogs brought us together from thousands of miles apart. Thank you for profiling her. I hope many more will read her blog as a result. She always had great information and insite.
Love ya friend!