Monthly Archives: October 2011

I love doing seasonal crafts with my daughter. I know she enjoys it, and it’s a wonderful way to build memories. When my husband was away I would try and make crafts with her that would capture a moment.

I would try and make something I could send to him that would let him see her growth, development and her artistic flare! I found this and I fell in love with it. This could easily be changed into a Thanksgiving wreath by changing the colors to an Autumn theme, and could be sent to your loved one who is deployed.

It is a decoration with a special meaning.

This hand cut out wreath is a great Christmas craft. Kids enjoy tracing and cutting out their hands and when the wreath is done they feel they’ve had a hand in the holiday decorating.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Trace child’s open hand onto paper. (8-10 tracings for a small child)
2. Cut out tracings.
3. Glue tracings together at wrists with fingers pointed out.
4. Decorate with glitter, sequins, ribbons.
5. Write child’s name, age, and date made on back.

I found this on the facebook page of March Of Honor. I am not sure of the origins or who the author is, but if you know please post in the comments. As a mother of two US Soldiers, all I could say was “amen!”

I am a soldier’s mother; I sometimes march alone

And yet I stand with many, trying to be strong.

You may not recognize me as you pass me on the street;

I may look like any other that you by chance might meet.

Like any mother, in a lot of ways I still remain,

But watching my son become a soldier brought a forever change.

For deep down inside where you cannot see

My own battle rages that’s as real as it can be. Continue reading →

I am going to try and attend this webinar, and I will write a brief on what I learn if I am able to attend. It is certainly a timely and relevant topic for military family members who have a loved one with a PTSD diagnosis. PTSD does not only affect the individual, but it affects everyone in the family. This would be a great webinar for spouses, parents, or any other caregiver! I hope to see you there!

DCoE October Webinar: Generational PTSD and Post-traumatic Growth

SOURCE LINK

By DCoE Strategic Communications

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) will host its next webinar, “Generational Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Post-traumatic Growth,” Oct. 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (EDT). Continue reading →

We are 21 days into the month where organizations, individuals and medical professionals work hard to raise awareness of one of the leading killers of women – breast cancer.

I am a pretty modest and private person, but I will share here that I had my years mammogram and I follow the screening recommendations of my physician. Why? Because I have known a couple of women, personally, who have had breast cancer and are alive and well today because it was caught by a mammogram! I do it for me and for my family. In the message below there are two stories of military spouses who have similar stories! Also, outlined below, is the basic coverage of TRICARE for those who are considered at low risk and those at high risk.

Take care of you! You are the only ‘YOU’ you have… and the only ‘YOU’ your family has!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Promotes Screening

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

SOURCE LINK

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2011 – The Defense Department and the nationwide Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign are partnering to encourage women to get regular mammograms as directed by their doctors.

The year-round campaign to fight breast cancer with early detection and prompt treatment gains momentum during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Continue reading →