Category Archives: Spouse and Family

Claire writes about the life of a military spouse and highlights military family life in our times.

A Week of Giveaways for Military Wives

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

I wanted to let our readers know of a week of giveaways going on at Christian Military Wives this week! Day one and two have passed, but today will be another brand new giveaway and a new chance to win a great prize for a military wife! The first two days were different books, but other prizes are going to be announced! Check it out today for their new giveaway!

Good luck and if you win, let us know!

To kick off this season of giving and thanksgiving, Christian Military Wives and Wives in Bloom are giving away one prize every day for the first full week of December!  Visit Wives in Bloom (click) daily for the announcement and for your chance to enter! Entry is by comment only, no need to register at the main site. Enjoy!

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Posted in Charities/Contests, Spouse and Family

My Alma Mater — Course trains social workers on military issues

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

I am very pleased to see that my Alma Mater  is working on a course that will train social workers at a master’s level to work with the military community, specifically. I am not sure what the studies focused on the unique needs of military families includes, but I plan on contacting them today to find out. Way to go USC-Columbia!

Course trains social workers on military issues

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — Army Reserve Capt. Chad Lauro wants to use his military experience to help those who bear the mental wounds of war. Kina Wilkening, an Air Force spouse whose pilot-husband was deployed for 273 days last year, calls military families “silent heroes” who need help, too.

Both are graduate students at the University of South Carolina, which is starting a new program to train social workers to assist the military, veterans and their families.

“I see it as my way of giving back,” said Lauro, 35, originally from Mechanicsburg, Pa., who served as a military logistics specialist and has been in two years of full-time course work to enter a new career. Continue reading →

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Posted in Spouse and Family

83 plaintiffs suing over Ft. Hood shootings

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment
Read the entire clip (excerpt posted below with link to entire article). There are two officers who are credited with taking Hasan down with their shots. One is a female civilian officer who is on UNPAID leave due to her injuries. Unpaid leave? I think the claims of the victims and their families are very reasonable. They have some serious hurdles to overcome, but regardless of any legal maneuvers the military may have to protect itself, the claims are legit.I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter!

83 plaintiffs join in on Hood victims lawsuit

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By Joe Gould - Staff writer, Army Times
Friday Nov 25, 2011

The Army, the Defense Department, the FBI and the Department of Justice should have stopped Maj. Nidal Hasan before his deadly shooting rampage in 2009, according to legal action filed by the relatives of his victims.

Eighty-three plaintiffs, including victims and relatives of victims of the attacks at Fort Hood, Texas, seek $750 million in government compensation and have filed an administrative claim against the Army, said their attorney, Neal Sher. Continue reading →

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Posted in Spouse and Family

Thanksgiving, more than a holiday…

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

This was written by a friend of mine and posted at Wives in Bloom. This is a military family who has seen multiple deployments and their resiliency and joy through it all is inspiring! Take a moment to read Carlie’s reflections. What are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving Holiday?

Thanksgiving: A Lifestyle, A Choice, Not Just A Holiday

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by: Carlie Kercheval

Thanksgiving.

When most people hear this word, the first thing that comes to mind is a massive table -full of food shared with family and good friends. Or maybe some people think about the Pilgrim’s and Native American’s celebration of their first successful harvest in 1621. Either way, it is a season that most American’s thoroughly enjoy.

But my suggestion to you, is that thanksgiving should be a lifestyle, rather than a seasonal holiday. I know sometimes it is hard to be thankful when things don’t seem to be going your way. I know it is difficult to be thankful when your husband is thousands of miles away fighting a war – AGAIN – when he could be home with you.  CONTINUE READING

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Posted in Spouse and Family

GI Jobs – 2012 Top 100 Friendly Employers® Released

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

First of all I am very proud of Amazon.com! They ranked number one with a 25% Veteran hiring quota! So, this year when I order for Christmas I will enjoy sending my business to Amazon that much more! My husband DBS also works at Eastman Chemical Company and they ranked 61! I know Eastman was very supportive of DBS when he joined the military and when he came home from the military.

G.I. Jobs 2012 Top 100 Military Friendly Employers®

The Top 100 Military Friendly Employers list is a priceless resource for transitioners mapping out a new career path. Use the list to make this crucial mission successful.

CLICK HERE TO SEE LIST

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Posted in Spouse and Family

Free Online Tutoring for Military Families with Tutor.com

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Troy| 1 Comment

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families is an online tutoring and homework program sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) that allows eligible Servicemembers and their families to get 24/7 assistance and support , from elementary school concepts to advanced high school coursework. If you are active duty or on active duty in the Guard or Reserve in a deployed status (or even a DoD civilian in a deployed status), you and your family are eligible for this program.  Carefully screened professional tutors who are also subject matter experts provide assistance through Tutor.com’s online interface, and can also assist with introductory college courses, adult learning, and career transitions.  For further information about Tutor.com or to read this article in full, please go to: http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/08/family-focus-friday-tutor-com/

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Posted in Spouse and Family, Veteran Benefits

The Home School Foundation Announces New Military Fund

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

Please pass the following information on to any military families who home school their children. The following excerpt is from HSF’s website:

New Military Fund

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The Home School Foundation is proud to announce the start of a new fund—our Military Fund. This fund assists military homeschool families who are struggling financially to meet their children’s educational needs.In early 2011, God put it on the hearts of the HSF board members and leadership to start a fund specifically for military families. The details began to come together while simultaneously we heard from donors who wanted to help military homeschoolers.

“We kept hearing stories in the news about families in the military who were being affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Many focused on the fact that a fair number of military families are struggling financially,” said Chuck Hurst, executive director of HSF. “We realized that the homeschooling military community, as a microcosm of the larger military community, was in need of assistance to encourage them in homeschooling.” READ MORE

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Posted in Spouse and Family

An Army Wife’s Tips to Curb Holiday Stress

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Claire| 1 Comment

We have been blessed to have Star Henderson and Tara Crooks of Army Wife Network on our radio show in the past. You can hear the archived interview HERE. Below is an article from care.com where Tara shares her top tips for beating holiday stress:

An Army Wife’s Top Tips for Beating Holiday Stress

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Source LINK:

Tara Crooks knows all about the unique challenges military spouses face during the holidays, but she says that’s no reason not to celebrate. Mom of two young girls and co-founder of the Army Wife Network, Crooks believes in creating fun around the holidays no matter how hard it seems. In the spirit of the approaching festivities, Tara shares these great tips to get you in the holiday spirit.

1. Salute your soldiers. In addition to saluting their dad whether he is home or away, the Crooks clan makes it a point to honor all military families on Christmas. “We always hang a sock for the UNforgotten soldiers,” says Tara.

2. Let gifts come from you. In the Crooks’ home, Santa brings the unwrapped gifts while the parents offer wrapped surprises. “I always make sure the girls know the presents are from Daddy and Mama, and that he is with us even if he isn’t physically present,” says Tara. Continue reading →

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Posted in Spouse and Family

Helzberg Heroes Contest (as in the diamond!)

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

Awesome!! This is for military members and their families! This is from the Helzberg site:

Helzberg wants to show active duty military and their families they are loved and appreciated for their service to the country. Soldiers, please tell us how your family or the community has made you feel loved while you were serving our country. Or, what have you done to show your family you love them while you are away? Submit your best stories, photos and videos here!

The contest is open to active duty military, reservists, and retired military, as well as their family members. Each week we’ll highlight some of our favorite entries onwww.facebook.com/HelzbergDiamonds.

Contest entry deadline is November 28, 2011. The $10,000 shopping spree winner will be announced in early December.

RULES HERE
ENTRY FORM HERE
Helzberg Site HERE

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Posted in Charities/Contests, Spouse and Family

Thanksgiving on the Home Front

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Claire| Leave a comment

I found the following on Country Magazine’s blog. World War II military spouse, Ila Cox, is highlighted in the magazine for November. The following are a few memories that weren’t included in the article. What a vastly different time we live in today when our Nation is at war and so many citizens live in such luxury they can forget what our military faces daily. Amazing.

On the Home Front (EXCERPT)


Story by Ila Cox, 

When her husband, Jack, was sent to Asia in World War II, Ila Cox of Monticello, Mississippi, found work in a defense factory. In our special Thanksgiving issue, Ila shared her memories of life on the home front. Here are a few that didn’t make it into the magazine:

You couldn’t buy a new car, and even if you did it was difficult to keep one on the road. There were no tires to buy because the Japanese had cut off the supply of rubber from the Far East, and our entire supply had to be dedicated to the military. Fixing flat tires was a constant struggle. Continue reading →

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Posted in Spouse and Family