I want to get the word out about the Fisher House Foundation’s 2012 Scholarships for Military Children (College enrolled or College bound) and the February 24th deadline. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for this scholarship now is the time!

Military Kids Can Apply for Scholarships

By Elaine Sanchez
Feb. 2, 2012
SOURCE LINK

The deadline is swiftly approaching for the Fisher House Foundation’s 2012 Scholarships for Military Children Program, conducted at military commissaries worldwide.

Applications must be completed and delivered – not postmarked, but delivered – to a commissary by close of business Feb. 24, according to an agency release. People can pick up applications at their local commissary or download it from the scholarship program’s website.

A minimum of one $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location where applications are received. The Defense Commissary Agency operates nearly 250 commissaries on military installations around the world, according to its website.

The program is open to currently enrolled or college-bound children of active duty, reserve or retired military commissary customers.

The scholarships are primarily funded through the manufacturers and suppliers whose products are sold at military commissaries, according to the program’s website. The scholarship provides for payment of tuition, books, lab fees and other related expenses.

The program is in its 11^th year. In its first 10 years, nearly 5,500 students have shared more than $8 million in scholarship grants.

For more information on this and other scholarships, visit the Scholarship Programs of the Fisher House Foundation website.

Several weeks back we had we had Shane Hudella on You Served Radio from the charity Defending the Blue Line (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved/2011/10/05/episode-162-defending-the-blue-line-kerry-kachejian).

Defending The Blue Line (DTBL) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the spring of 2009 to help military families with the high costs of hockey and help ensure that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the great sport.

I have personally seen the benefits for military families from this organization. Well they recently announced that they are in the running as one of 20 finalists that help military families. The White House is looking to pick one of the twenty to recognize for the great support they do. They are looking for America to vote and I ask that you take the time to check them out and cast the vote for DTBL. You can learn more about DTBL at their newly revamped website at http://www.defendingtheblueline.org/

Defending The Blue Line was 1 of 20 national finalists in a White House competition to recognize a non profit that supports military families. The White House is leaving it up to America to vote for the winner over the next 30 days, similar to the contest we recently supported for the VA here in MN.

Please log on and vote via the following link, and ask your friends to do the same. Better yet, add it to your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media page. Make sure you go to the site once a day for the next 30 days to vote. When you get to the Joining Forces Community Challenge Website, type Defending The Blue Line in the search box.

Vote here now: http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/submissions?page=1

Defense Department Launches Website for Military Children

(National Center for Telehealth and Technology News Release)
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash., Jan. 18, 2012 – The Defense Department launched a new website today for children experiencing the challenges of military deployments.

The highly interactive website, http://www.MilitaryKidsConnect.org, was created by psychologists at DOD’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology here. It helps children of deployed parents cope with the stress, changing responsibilities, and concern for the safety of their parents, officials said.

The center, known as T2, developed the website with informative videos, educational tools, and engaging games and activities for three age groups: 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. The site features monitored online social network forums for the groups to safely share their experiences with deployments.

MilitaryKidsConnect.org is the first DOD website to connect children in the widely separated active, reserve, and National Guard military communities, officials said.

“Since 2001, an estimated 2 million children have said goodbye to a parent headed to deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, other places around the globe, and on ships at sea,” explained Kelly Blasko, a T2 psychologist. “Military children are deeply affected by the separation of their parent’s deployment. We’ve seen that in their hearts, kids deploy too.”

The website has features that will help children, parents, and educators navigate the wide range of practical and emotional challenges military families must live with throughout the deployment cycle, Blasko said.

“While military children are very adaptable given the constant changes and stressful nature of military life,” she added, “deployment puts a unique stress on family relationships at home, which can also affect the deployed service member. The DOD now has a website to help the youngest members of the military community.”

The National Center for Telehealth and Technology serves as the primary DOD office for cutting-edge approaches in applying technology to psychological health.

Related Sites:
MilitaryKidsConnect
National Center for Telehealth and Technology
SOURCE LINK

I love contests.

Even if I don’t win it’s exciting to enter and then to watch the person who does win get all excited!

I am not entering this one for obvious reasons, but if my hubby was still in I would drop my name in the box! Check it out!

Operation Sweetheart – Win a Dream Date or a Deployment Cake!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Sarge

Since we are not in the military any longer we are not directly affected by the changes happening. We are still, however, a military family via being Blue Star parents and we still have many friends who serve. I hear the same thing from many of my friends and family members — changes are coming (and some are here). Whether it’s reintegration changes from a war zone to home or reintegration changes from military to civilian life, it seems that change is afoot. With the declaration of the end of the war in Iraq, some troops staying in Kuwait, and the announced downsizing of the military, families are facing a lot of change.

How do you cope with change? These are not minor changes, but major life changes that can cause us to feel overwhelmed. What are your strategies? Below are a few I found that resonate with me personally. We have been through a lot of transitions ourselves between military and civilian life — it happened fast and insanely for us, but below are some of the attitudes we had that helped us through.
Share some of your own insights in the comment section!

SOURCE LINK for suggestions below (excerpt):

1. Develop supportive relationships at work and home. The value of good friends is hard to over-emphasize. Research suggests that people with friends to rely on during stressful times experience fewer of the negative effects of high stress levels. They also remain healthier, are more successful and live longer.
2. Take time to take good care of yourself. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise. Get plenty of rest. Take time to relax with friends and family. A high rate of change often means extra stress and strain on your body. Pay attention-What does your body/mind/soul need now?
3. Be open and flexible. Most people are eager to settle into comfortable routines. Know that your present routine is only temporary. Something may happen at any time that can force you to change your routine. You may not be able to predict change, but knowing that change can happen at any time helps you accept and adjust when it does occur. Most life transitions are slow processes that take time.
4. Keep your “sunny side” up. Concentrate on the good things in life. Don’t dwell on negative thoughts. A positive attitude helps you feel good about yourself and the life you live, and goes a long way towards improving your health.
5. Take control of your life. What can you do now to help you through a difficult transition in your future? Practice finding the good in each of life’s transitions. It’s not what happens to you that causes you to respond the way you do, but how you choose to react to what happens. Take charge of your thoughts and actions and you will be able to control better how you respond.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

I used to send the Stars and Stripes Christmas messages when my son was in Iraq. It was a fun way to send a little extra love and some recognition while he was deployed and working lots of hours. Stars and Stripes is offering a Valentine’s Day message option too! Stop by today and send a message to your special deployed military member!

We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to send your sweetheart stationed overseas a Valentine’s Day message and have it printed in the pages of Stars and Stripes.

Your message will appear online for loved ones to enjoy all over the world, and will also be published in the European, Pacific and Mideast editions of Stars and Stripes on February 14.

…

Wherever your sweetheart is stationed or deployed, don’t miss the opportunity to share your love… Upload your message today!

CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE

I know my heart melts when my daughter wants me to read her a story. When she was younger it was an every night event. When DBS was in still in the Army we even would sometimes be able to time it where he could call home in the evenings just in time for her bedtime story.

I found a great entry on SpouseBuzz about different apps that are available for a variety of of platforms. If you have an iPad, iPhone, Adroid, or computer (Mac or PC) you may be able to find an app that allows you to pre-record you reading a story to your child. Imagine how awesome it would be for your child to get to see and hear mom or dad’s voice reading a bedtime story even though he/she is deployed!

Reading is linked to literacy. If you read to your child then the love for reading will be passed on. What a precious way to bond, connect and pass on this vital love for learning!

Here’s an excerpt from the SpouseBzz post. Click on the link at the end of the excerpt to find out what application she is talking about —

Bedtime Stories – There’s An App For That
January 08, 2012, in Marriage & Family by wifeunit

We were recently gifted an ipad from my family.  Its primary purpose is to be used as a big component of my son’s therapies and it is phenomenal in that respect.  We are truly grateful.  In addition to speech apps and editing excel documents, keeping track of progress and all the other therapy related things we are able to do, I love that I can do an 800 piece puzzle at my leisure without worrying that my less than well-behaved two year-old lost a piece, or ten.  It is fabulous!  Seriously.

Another great thing I have made use of is recordable book apps.  There are many book apps out there, but quite a few allow you the option to record a copy of your narration.  I love this!  Not only does mom &/or dad deploy, go tdy/unaccompanied, etc, but we are often times living far away from extended family.  The ability to keep grandparents and aunts and uncles just a little bit closer and a little more fresh in our daily routine is something I appreciate.

Read more: http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2012/01/bedtime-stories-theres-an-app-for-that.html#ixzz1jqJN9qZJ
SpouseBUZZ.com

Many of you have read the headline this weekend (and the article is posted below). “NC Jihadists found Guilty!” They were targeting Marine spouses and families.

This is not the first time families were targeted. This won’t be the last. We can never assume that we are not at risk just because we are in the United States or in another Country in garrison. This doesn’t mean we should be paranoid, but we should always be mindful and careful — in our neighborhoods (and yes even on military installations as some are easy to access), our emails, Facebook, twitter, blogs, and even what you say in the grocery line. Stay alert and don’t take your safety for granted because your husband is a member of the US Armed Forces!

I have written several articles here on You Served about the importance of OpSec and possible dangers. Here are a few of them that may be of help. Please share them and never be afraid to say something to a spouse who is not adhering to Operational Security (OpSec) or Personal Security (PerSec):

You have every right and a responsibility to your family and your spouse to keep them safe. Anyone being reckless is not only being reckless with her own family, but with yours as well.

OpSec, Facebook, Twitter, etc… why it matters
Smart Phones and OpSec Concerns
Homefront OpSec
The Op in OpSec doesn’t stand for Optional!

Guilty: North Carolina Jihadists Who Targeted Marine Corps Wives And Children

Three members of a home-grown terror ring who conspired to attack the Quantico U.S. Marine Corps base and foreign targets were sentenced Friday to between 15 and 45 years in federal prison.

Hysen Sherifi, 27, will serve 45 years in prison; Ziyad Yaghi, 23, got nearly 32 years; and Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, 24, was sentenced to 15 years. They faced the possibility of life in prison. Each said they would appeal their convictions and claimed innocence. Dozens of members of Raleigh’s Muslim community made the five-hour round-trip to coastal New Bern to witness the hearing for the men who supporters believe were unjustly convicted.

Defense attorneys argued for lesser sentences since the men were convicted of discussing terrorism rather than committing terrorist acts.

“I believe I am innocent. There was no conspiracy,” said Serifi, who called his guilty verdict unfair and prosecutors tyrants.

But U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan said the men went beyond talk to planning violence.

Yaghi was a “self-starter” in pursuing holy war against those deemed un-Islamic and brought several potential jihadi recruits to ringleader Daniel Patrick Boyd, whose rural Johnston County home was a warehouse of weapons, Flanagan said. Yaghi traveled to Jordan and Israel to look for avenues to join other militants and to scout targets for an attack. READ MORE

Many of you remember Troy from the Hike for Heroes, or Drum Hike  that spanned across the US last year to raise money for military members and their families. The Hike continues to this day.

Take a look at what he’s raising money for this time. Donate if you can, and pass the link on to as many people as you can.

Active Heroes is a non-profit charity whose mission is to further spread word that our military heroes are fighting just as hard at home as they are overseas. With great programs like Hike for Heroes, Active Heroes has helped thousands of military families since 2009. Now in 2012 we are conducting Hike for Heroes relays in cities across America, Charity hikes at National parks and encouraging you all to set up a fundraising page and get ACTIVE. Whether you run, walk, hike, race, or ride you can help out. Simply hit the “Start fundraising” button and join your city’s effort or join a special program and start promoting your page on social media and emails to help. “Be a hero, help a hero!”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND CONTRIBUTE

Even as a military widow, I am still also a military dependent. There are so many things as dependents we have to deal with to make sure everything is squared away for our families – calling TriCare, setting appointments, making sure everything is set with the financial side of things, and more… and more… While it is quite a blessing to have all these things available for us, health insurance and care, financial institutions, classes, the whole works, making the appointments and the numerous phone calls is often tedious and stressful. I’m certainly not complaining about the services that are offered to military families, there are many wonderful programs, but those spouses out there especially (and I’m sure the servicemembers as well) know how strenuous these processes can be.

When I decided to move from North Carolina to Maryland, I was prepared for the usual grind of running around hunting down the right information (realizing the paperwork I found was wrong and hunting some more), making numerous appointments, and more. As a widow, all the responsibilities fall on me. There is no spouse to help me make sure this is all done correctly, and often times I find I have to call or visit a place more than once to make sure everything is right. That’s really what I figured would be the case with the move. I was dreading going to TMO to get the process started. In fact, my first visit to TMO, while the gentleman I worked with was incredibly helpful there was still some paperwork collecting to do on my own (which always scares me, because like I said, it never fails I get the wrong thing!). I was positive this was foreshadowing the rest of the move.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I went in to TMO today. I had collected the few items I needed, completed my inventory, and prepared for the “You still need to find this” or the “Well since your husband’s deceased…” Luckily, none of that happened. The gentleman at TMO was beyond helpful. There was still a page I was missing, he tracked it down. There was some info HQMC (Headquarters Marine Corps) hadn’t given me he needed, he called for me. He explained the entire process of a government move to me, as well as some other options. Did you know even if you’re doing a government move, you can still do a DITY along with it? Yup, I told him we were moving some of our own items that we didn’t want the movers to take and it turns out we can have it weighed and get paid for part of it. Excellent! I never would have known.

He explained to me that as a widow, I am entitled to 18,000 pounds – the top weight allowed period. While I certainly do not have that much stuff, it’s nice to know that we (widows) are given a bit of leeway to help us out. He gave me helpful hints and even my own little brief on how everything works and what is expected of me versus the movers.  I was astounded. Sure, it may have been his “job” but I really felt this gentleman went out of his way to make sure I understood everything and to ensure my move would go as smoothly as possible.

To the Camp Lejeune TMO, I thank you. For taking care of me, and – I say this in hopes that it’s true – taking care of other widows that may wander into your office. At least some of the stress of moving has been relieved by such an attentive TMO visit.