Looking in the Rearview: Reflections from Former Military Kids
As an adult, the experience of being a military kid can feel like another life. But the truth is, it wasn’t all that long ago that some of us were riding around military installations on our bikes, going to the Exchange and the commissary, and frequently packing up our lives to head off toward the next adventure. Many people grow up in the military and decide to join the “family business,” but most lose dependent status, and then go on to live their lives in the civili...
Read More
Letter from the Chairman
by Mary Scott, Chairman of the Board
Once again, the holidays have snuck up on me – funny how they do that every year! I imagine many of you feel the same way. Life is busy, and every day requires and deserves full attention – especially in the life of a military family!
If you have recently moved, settled in to a new home, placed your children in new schools, and started a new job, holiday planning has certainly taken a back seat. As we move into this delightful season it is important to make the effort to c...
Read More
Holiday Traditions
by Patricia Erickson-Bell, Executive Administrative Assistant
I grew up in Vienna, Austria, and one of my favorite childhood memories is Christmastime with my family. Even though I do not like the cold, gray, and chilly days, I always loved December. My parents would buy us calendars that had 24 numbered windows and each day revealed a Christmas themed picture and a piece of chocolate. My brother and I couldn’t wait for dinner to be over so we could race to the calendar to find that day’s number, see what picture it revealed, and of course, ...
Read More
Operation Purple® Update
As the leaves turn, Operation Purple Camp 2012 stories have begun to shift into Operation Purple Camp memories, however, the buzz of Operation Purple Camp 2013 continues to grow. After months of discussing Operation Purple Camp with military families and industry experts, the Association is happy to announce that Operation Purple Camp 2013 is in the works! While summer months are still months away, the groundwork for another season of Operation Purple summer camp experiences are b...
Read More
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal: One Year Later
by Michelle Winning, Government Relations AmeriCorps Member
In 1993, President Clinton released the defense directive known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). The directive prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing homosexuals, however, service members that identified as openly gay were dishonorably discharged.
This defense directive meant that lesbian and gay service members had to conceal part of their identity, and in some cases, individuals sacrificed their personal lives in order to serve their count...
Read More
Spotlight on Your Community: The Home of the Big Red One
by Mandi Verlander, Volunteer, Fort Riley, KS
When you are in the military, home is a vague concept compared to how civilians view it. Home becomes wherever you can all be together. This mentality makes it easier to cope with the stresses and pressures that come with being a part of the military community. Regardless of what difficulties we face, we all love our community because we are proud of where we are, the job we’re doing, and the place we call “home.”
I currently call Fort Riley home with my husban...
Read More
2012 Leadership Luncheon
The National Military Family Association hosted its 2012 Leadership Luncheon in October at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. It served as the platform to announce the Association’s new app, MyMilitaryLife, and to host key technology and defense leaders for a discussion around the Nation’s rapid adoption and reliance on technological advancements as well as its impact on national security, wartime operations, and military family communications.
After unveiling M...
Read More
