Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I have always loved this definition of faith and find it compelling. There are many things around me that provide me of the substance of what I have hoped for, but the evidence of the unseen is all around us too. Spritually speaking I know the verse is pointing back to Christ. He was the substance of what the World needed and longed for, and we have faith today even though we do not see with our own eyes. It’s a definition that shows the irony of faith – substance and hope along with evidence and the unseen. Those are not things we normally put together.

What does this have to do with the military? I found the following article on DVIDS. I had faith that the military community would comfort one another, aid one another and would care for its own — I have seen this first hand and have witnessed the substance of things hoped for. Even though I am not there and did not see what was happening, I knew it was. The evidence of the unseen is easy because you hear about the strong tie of family that holds us and binds us together in the military. Service members and family alike. Families are taking care of young single soldiers while they convalesce, and they comfort one another while they grieve. That’s just a couple of examples:

Amid Tragedy, 20th Engineering Battalion Families, Soldiers Provide Utmost Care for Own

13th Public Affairs Detachment
Photo by Spc. Christopher Gaylord
Posted: 11.12.2009

EXCERPT

Nov. 5 began and might have ended like any other day for Kanesha Howard, an Army spouse and mother of two. Instead, she found herself living a nightmare by midday, franticly wondering if she still had a husband. 

Later, she learned Staff Sgt. Alvin Howard, a heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 20th Engineer Battalion, had been wounded in the massacre at Fort Hood while preparing with other troops for their upcoming deployment. 

Since Thursday, Howard has mustered the strength to smile again. 

Amid unimaginable frustration and destruction, Howard’s husband’s unit assured her that the Fort Hood community is one that never stops caring for its own, even in the most stressful of circumstances. 

Several Soldiers and fellow Army spouses showed up at Howard’s home in Killeen Sunday afternoon under the strain of arms full of food and hot meals, ensuring Howard had everything she needed in the aftermath of tragedy. Similar efforts are being made for other members of the battalion affected by the catastrophe. 

“We just want to make sure that the families and the Soldiers have food and everything they need, so they won’t have to worry about going and getting anything or trying to cook, and they can take care of their families,” said Sharon Floyd, the battalion’s Family Readiness Group support assistant. 

Hours after the shooting, Floyd organized a care group and donations from other military units, churches and members of the community. 

Lt. Col. Jason Kelly, deputy commander for the 36th Engineer Brigade, had every family readiness support assistant in the brigade in his office looking for ways to contribute. 

“There is no more I could ask of anyone,” Kelly said. “People are looking for ways to help.” 

Working tirelessly Sunday morning, the FRG spouses and several Soldiers diligently packed canned goods, snacks, bread, fruit and warm, homemade dishes into vans and trucks for Soldiers and their families living both on and off post. 

Even families waiting by their Soldiers’ bedsides received surprise visits from the group. Their help expanded beyond preparing and delivering meals to helping care for children and ensuring families would have access to available resources. 

“They have been more than helpful,” Pfc. Joseph Foster, a utility equipment repairer with the 20th Eng. Bn., said. “It’s like a giant family. We just get stronger.” 

Foster was shot in the left hip and was released from the hospital Friday afternoon. Meals and child care assistance provided by the FRG and FRSAs has been invaluable to him, his wife and their two young children. 

Single Soldiers are receiving baskets of food and movies during their convalescence. 

“We are ensuring they are not forgotten,” Kelly said.

KEEP READING

I checked the submission site out and you can submit a note with or without a picture. You have a week to get it to them! It’s easy and free! You can submit to have your message online or in print. I submitted one for my son this morning.

Stars and Stripes Holiday Messages are now open for submissions!

Visit the Stripes Holiday Messages website to submit a Holiday Message to a loved one.

Messages submitted before Nov 27th will appear in the newspaper according to their publishing schedule.

H/t Brat at Assoluta Tranquillita

Please take a moment to listen to the interviews I did with Mil-Spouse  bloggers and Blog World Expo participants Tammy Munson and Delta Whiskey. I had a lot of fun interviewing both of them. Tammy’s interview was back before her husband deployed, so we will have her back on again soon for an update.

CLICK to LISTEN

Stay tuned. I have a special guest interview coming up soon with Derek McGinnis, Veteran author or Exit Wounds.

I know we all felt so helpless as the events of November 5th unfolded before our eyes and ears through various news channels. Maybe you live on Ft. Hood and they unfolded for you in real time. Maybe you are like me and have several friends who live there and the events unfolded for you over the phone with very frightened friends.

There are many ways to help out during this time, and the need is great. Please see what you are able to do. This time of year is usually very focused on shopping and doing — maybe you can cut one thing out and give a donation to the Ft. Hood families this year. Do what your conscience directs you to do.

Some of the events below have already occurred, but the fundraisers will be ongoing for a while.

How You Can Help the Fort Hood Family

[11/9/2009]

Source: Army Well-Being and combined sources

The Central Texas community is rallying in support of those who died in the mass shooting at Fort Hood Thursday. Some events going on around town in memorial of the victims are:

• President Obama has ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff until Veteran’s Day in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy on November 5.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

• A local grassroots organization is asking everyone to drive with their headlights on to honor those directly or indirectly affected.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

• Fort Hood will host a memorial service for those lost on November 5. More details to follow.

FUNDRAISERS

• Barton Creek Square and Killeen Mall will support the recent tragedies at Fort Hood by hosting a fundraiser at Kay’s Hallmark. Both Hallmark locations will sell wooden roses for $1. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Families of the victims at Fort Hood.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

If you would like to help by donating funds, consider these worthy organizations helping the Fort Hood Family:

AUSA The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter of Association of the United States Army has set up a Community Response to 11/5 Fund for anyone wishing to make monetary donations to help support the Families of the victims involved in Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood.

Checks should be made payable to:

The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter
Association of the US Army
ATTN: Community Response to 11/5
P.O. Box 10700
Killeen, Texas 76547

Donations are tax deductible. The tax identification number is 530193361.

 

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The Fisher House at Fort Hood In this time of national sorrow and grief, many Families may need the services of The Fisher House. Please make donations to:

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
36000 Darnall Loop
Fort Hood TX 76544
254.286.7927

The Fisher House on Facebook

 

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Operation Homefront Operation Homefront has established an “Emergency Tragedy Fund” for the Families of the injured and deceased Soldiers at Fort Hood. We are saddened by this tragedy and will provide emergency financial assistance to the Families.

If you are a Family directly affected, please contact Operation Homefront Texas at 1-800-779-5921.

If you would like to donate to this Fund, please use the Donate Now feature. Be sure to indicate “FORT HOOD” on the donor form.

You can also send donations to:

Operation Homefront Texas
10157 IH 35 North, Suite A
San Antonio, Texas 78233.

100% of the funds collected will be designated for the Families at Fort Hood. Thank you for your generosity and support.

 

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Friends of TAPS, Fort Hood Friends of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) provides immediate and long-term grief support for anyone who has lost a military loved one, regardless of the circumstance or location of the death. These Fort Hood Families will need a safe haven to process their grief and suffering for the weeks, months and years to come – and with your help we will be able to care for all of the Families affected by this terrible event.

 

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Soldiers’ Angels, Fort Hood Project Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and is standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.

RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the Families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:

Soldiers’ Angels
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218

Plans are still developing, but the goal is to give these Families and injured heroes something big to smile about when Christmas rolls around. It starts with the $2,000 gift certificate for Christmas for an experience on Christmas Day that will make them forget about it all for at least a little while. To contribute to the effort, click the donation button in the upper left and add type “For Fort Hood” in the comment box that pops up (donations marked this way will be used only for Fort Hood survivors).

 

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The American Legion Those touched by the Fort Hood event seeking assistance from The American Legion are invited to call 1-800-504-4098 or emailfamilysupport@legion.org .

 

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Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund Checks can be mailed to:

Chaplain’s Fund Office
Bldg. 44, 761st Tank Battalion Ave.
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5000

Checks should be made payable to “CTOF” (Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund) with a note on the memo line stating “Nov. 5 Tragedy.”

 

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Killeen Red Cross Killeen Red Cross
208 W. Avenue A
Killeen, Texas 76541

 

You can contact the Killeen Red Cross by phone at 254-200-4400.

 

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USO Fort Hood USO Fort Hood
Building #1871, 50th St.
Fort Hood, Texas 76544

 

You can also contact the USO by phone at 254-768-2771.

 

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Combat Warrior Crisis Network The Combat Warrior Crisis Network is accepting donation to support the Families in the aftermath to help them pick up the pieces and help them move forward. When making a donation please annotate “FORT HOOD” on the donation.

For PayPal or Credit Card please visit: Donate to The Combat Warrior Crisis Network

Checks may be mailed to:

Combat Warrior Crisis Network
3450 FM 1829
Gatesville, TX 76528

 

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USA Cares

USA Cares has set up an Emergency Fund for the victims of the Fort Hood shootings. Call USA Cares at 800-773-0387 and ask for Frank or Forrest. Let them know that you are wanting to donate to Fort Hood. USA Cares exists to provide military Families with financial support and other critical resources in their time of need.

After spending time last week locating my friends on Ft. Hood, and making sure they were all OK this article seems to fall a little flat. The last things on their minds this week is whether or not they are recognized for the love they give their families. Recognition is good, but considering that some of my friends were separated from their children during the heat of the crisis there last week — mom in one location, child in another and a frantic panic to find out if any victims were children… or friends, or friends’ spouses… it’s just not such an issue for them right now.

Although I am not a huge fan of Abraham Maslow and his hierarchy of needs (at least not all of the aspects of his theories) I have to agree that if a person feels relatively unsafe in their home and where they reside, they are not going to be able to live as full a life as their potential would allow.

I hope the number one aim of the DoD to improve the lives of families is to guarantee them that no political correctness will ever interfere in their dedication to keeping them and their soldiers safe.

Defense Department Aims to Improve Families’ Lives

By Elaine Wilson
FOUND AT: American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2009 – Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense official said yesterday.

 

Tommy T. Thomas, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, underscored the importance of Military Family Month, gave a broad overview of family programs and offered a glimpse at future initiatives in a wide-ranging interview here with the Pentagon Channel.

“We take the time to do this to recognize the sacrifices that our military families have made in defense of this nation,” said Thomas, referring to Military Family Month, celebrated every November. “We have many deployed family members — whether it be mother, son, spouse or daughter. [The] bottom line is we look at that entire entity as a family. And we look at and honor those successes that those families are making for this nation.”

Military families face many unique stressors, including maintaining stability at home in the face of deployments and frequent moves, he said. An average civilian may stay in a hometown for 15 to 20 years, he noted, while a military member may move 12 to 14 times in a 27-year period.

“One of the biggest challenges I see is trying to maintain that way of life, just as our civilian counterparts do, and keeping some stability in the family structure,” Thomas said. “We have a number of programs that we offer to make that happen.”

Thomas pointed out the department’s child care and education programs and various programs to offset family child care costs. He added that the military family life consultant program has been a “tremendous benefit to our military families.” The consultants provide anonymous, nonmedical counseling support to troops and their family members. “We sit down and listen to the needs and wants of military families,” he said.

Additionally, the department’s Military OneSource site offers military families 24/7 access on the Internet to counseling services, he said, and commissaries and military exchange stores around the world give servicemembers and their families a “taste of life back home,” as well as economic savings.

Thomas also highlighted a pilot program, the Restoration and Resilience Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, aimed at helping servicemembers and their families deal with post-traumatic stress. The program is “serving as a tremendous tool,” he said.

Thomas said he received firsthand proof of the program’s effectiveness during a visit to Fort Bliss about two weeks ago. He was conducting a focus group when a soldier walked up to him unexpectedly.

“What he said to me is, ‘I want you to know, sir, that the resilience and restoration program saved my life,’” Thomas recalled. “It’s a true testament to some of the programs we have out there and the effectiveness of those programs.”

Defense Department officials always look for ways to tweak programs as they aims to improve them, Thomas said. “You should never rest on your laurels,” he said, noting that it’s vital to hear from the people who are executing the programs as well as from the end users, the military families.

“I’ve logged about 32,000 miles going out talking to focus groups on about 16 installations,” Thomas said. He takes time to speak with military families around the world and uses that information to assess and improve the department’s programs, he added.

It’s not always about program quantity, he noted, but effectiveness, which is why tracking usage and soliciting feedback is so important. He said feedback led to a recent addition of family support services. During visits to Fort Campbell, Ky., and Fort Drum, N.Y. — both “very high-ops tempo Army installations,” he said — he received requests for more military family life consultants, a sentiment that was echoed in Europe.

As a result, the department added 118 military family life consultants, all due to feedback at the program-execution level.

Thomas said his No. 1 goal is to make a long-term difference for military families. He pledged to work toward getting “the proper funding and resources we need in our baseline” to create adequate and lasting family programs that also can evolve to meet growing needs.

Above all, military families deserve the best possible programs the department can provide, Thomas said.

“We owe that to our military families — to make sure we’re doing whatever we can for them, to make sure they’re part of the Defense Department team, that we’re working together collectively,” he said.

In honor of Military Family Month, the department’s Military Community and Family Policy office has several events aimed at improving quality of life for military families, Thomas said, including a Leadership Summit on Military Families on Nov. 9 and 10, a Defense Department/joint services conference called “Improving the Quality of Life for Military Families” from Nov. 16 to 18, and a child development conference, also from Nov. 16 to 18.

Troops to participate in virtual visits over Thanksgiving dinner for free with Skype

SAN JOSE – (Nov. 9, 2009) Skype today announced the Holiday Military Connection program, which will allow hundreds of American servicemen and women stationed overseas to have the unprecedented opportunity to join their families stateside for virtual visits this holiday season, thanks to a partnership between Skype and the USO.

The Holiday Military Connection program will connect troops in the Guam, Yokosuka, and Camp Hansen (Okinawa) USO centers with their families stateside, through live, face-to-face Skype video call conversations during Thanksgiving dinner. For the first time, deployed men and women will virtually share a holiday meal with the ones they love most, but from whom they are farthest.

In addition, the USO and Skype’s Holiday Military Connection program will enable the estimated 140,000 troops visiting the 18 Pacific Region USO centers to make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls home to loved ones all season long.  Troops can also make unlimited[1] calls to family and friends’ cell phones and landlines free of charge through the donation of Skype’s Unlimited World subscription plans.

For some troops, many of whom will be returning from deployments on submarines or aircraft carriers, the live calls will mark the first time seeing their families in more than a year.

Skype’s partnership with the USO and the launch of the Holiday Military Connection program expand upon a successful trial program that started in May 2009, in which Skype donated calling plans to USO Pacific centers.

“The USO is focused on lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families; we are proud that Skype can play a pivotal role with the USO in helping connect military families and in turn make a season that is often challenging for them that much less difficult,” said Don Albert, VP and GM of Skype Americas. “Skype is committed to removing barriers and helping to foster meaningful connections that make a difference in people’s lives. Through the USO and Skype’s Holiday Military Connection program, we are doing just that for thousands of military families.”

As part of the Holiday Military Connection program, Skype is also giving away 2,000 holiday gift sets consisting of a headset, plus Skype calling credit or a Webcam to servicemen and women who visit a participating USO center during the week of Thanksgiving.  The gift sets will allow troops to continue making memories with their families even after the holiday season is over.

“The USO is thrilled to partner with Skype on this amazing program. Staying in touch with friends and family is truly the best morale booster for troops who have been deployed. With Skype, we can help troops stay in touch all season long at no cost to them or their families,” said Tom Kolstad, USO Vice President for Pacific Operations. “We cannot wait to see the looks on the faces of the troops and their families when they share their meals face-to-face on Thanksgiving Day.”

Those interested in learning more about the program and how military families can connect with Skype can log onto the Holiday Military Connection program Website: www.skype.com/go/uso.   Visitors to the site can also submit their own story of how they use Skype to stay connected.

Soldier’s Angels was on top of things. This was posted to Facebook yesterday — please do what you can.

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Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and–with our founder currently residing in Texas–standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.

RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:

Soldiers’ Angels

4408 PanAm Expressway

San Antonio, TX 78218

The post office has posted the APO mailing schedule. If you want to get those packages out on time, follow the guide below. We know there’s never a guarantee, but normally if you follow the calendar your package will arrive in time for the Holidays.

Click to view larger image

The following annoucnement is from the Army’s Stand-To blog:

Military Family Appreciation Month: “Honoring the sacrifices of the military family”

What is it?

Military Family Appreciation Month is a time to honor the sacrifices of our military families. Army families of Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans, and retirees are giving back in a time of need and sustain and support the Soldiers who defend our Nation. Army Families are Army Strong.

What has the Army done?

Throughout the month of November, Army families serving around the world are being honored through a variety of observances and are being recognized for the commitment and contributions they make every day. Efforts to recognize the sacrifices of the Army family by Active, Guard, and Reserve leaders are being joined and supported by DoD organizations to include the Army Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and others. In coordination with the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army Entertainment, and the Army Multimedia Visual Information Directorate, a music video is being produced featuring the song “Life of a Soldier,” written and performed by Spc. Daniel Jens (America’s Got Talent) and Sgt 1st Class Sean Bennett (Nashville Star). The song is dedicated to Army families world-wide.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

Through Army Family Covenant commitments, the Army will continue to build trust and confidence that the Army cares for Soldiers and families. At all levels, we will continue to recognize the continued support and sacrifices Army families make every day, knowing that the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families, and sustaining Soldiers is critical to sustaining an all-volunteer force. Through the commitments represented by the Army Family Covenant, the Army will continue to standardize and fund existing family programs and services, increase accessibility and quality of health care, improve Soldier and family housing, increase excellence in schools, youth services and child care, expand education and employment opportunities for family members, and continue to provide families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive.

Why is it important to the Army?

Army families are important as the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families. They are a vital connection between Soldiers and the Army’s ability to remain strong. All Army families, Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans and retirees are giving back in this time of need. With thousands of Soldiers deployed, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by Army families has never been more important.

Resources:

My Army One Source

Army Entertainment

Defense Commissary Agency

Army Air Force Exchange Service

Army National Guard

Army Reserve

I know this has been on the table for sometime — it started a couple of years ago.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)President Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, praised Congress for its action to approve the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act and send it to the President for signature into law.

“MOAA is proud to have worked with congressional leaders for two years on this important legislation to allow military spouses the option to elect the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse,” said Ryan. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Rep. John Carter (R-TX) for shepherding it to a successful vote in the House of Representatives on Nov. 2, and to Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) for their efforts to win Senate approval earlier this fall. Their bipartisan efforts will make a huge difference for military spouses.”

The new legislation would let the spouse claim the servicemember’s state for voting, tax, and other purposes. Under current law, many spouses must change their residency when the servicemember is reassigned to a different state.

“This is fantastic news for our service families worldwide,” said Rep. Carter. “We should have done this long ago, but at least we are now on track to have a new law in 2009.”

“This legislation is one small way we can help ease the burden of military families, who make sacrifices everyday to support our men and women in uniform and to keep our country safe,” said Senator Burr.

“What a great way to kick off Military Family Appreciation Month,” said Joy Dunlap, MOAA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations. “Our thanks go to all the spouses and servicemembers – past and present – who spoke out on this issue.”

MOAA’s president spoke at the bill’s introductory press conference, and provided testimony, briefings, e-mails and phone calls to Hill staffers. Most recently, MOAA highlighted every legislator’s support status in the November issue of its Military Officer magazine.

SOURCE Military Officers Association of America