10 Books Every Military Spouse Should Read
A Military Spouse’s Reading List – 10 of the best books for military spouses
A Military Spouse’s Reading List – 10 of the best books for military spouses
Military Connection remembers Betty White: Army volunteer, activist, comedienne, and actress.
Military dramas often include some of the best battle scenes in movies, here is our top 10 list.
How to manage the moving stress associated with a permanent change of station.
From minor inconveniences to major concerns, deployment can create many unique challenges for the family of service members. Project Evergreen has found ways to help our troops by providing complimentary lawn service to families of deployed service men and women.
During the winter months when lawn care isn’t as necessary, a new need arises: snow removal during deployment. Which is why SnowCare for Troops, a division of Project Evergreen, was established. Since its inception in 2013, SnowCare for Troops has partnered with over 1,500 snow removal volunteers and served over 5,000 military families.
Any family with a deployed service member of rank E-6 and below, who live on a lot up to one acre in size, may apply for snow removal assistance.
Nope. Volunteers absorb all costs of providing snow removal to military families.
There are snow removal volunteers in all 50 states. These volunteers are matched to military families in need by zip code. SnowCare for Troops informs families via email when a match is found.
Snow removal and lawn care services are provided for the entire length of deployment.
To request services through Project Evergreen and SnowCare for Troops visit their website and select register. You will be emailed with information about matched volunteers in your area.
Lawn, landscape, and snow removal professionals as well as individuals are welcome to volunteer. Volunteers choose the number of families they are able to help, how far they are willing to travel, and the services they can provide. Register to volunteer here.
For more information about Project Evergreen and SnowCare for Troops visit www.projectevergreen.org. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Time for a Career Switch? Seven Signs You Need to Change Careers
Transitioning out of the military can be difficult. Military Transition Assistance Program (TAP) eases the burden through a comprehensive readiness program available to all service members.
A roundup of the top war movies from each major U.S. military conflict, a Military Connection Series
In many homes, there are empty seats that once belonged to military service members who fought for our country and paid the ultimate price. What better time to express appreciation for these fallen soldiers and their families than during the holiday season?
This is the day, every year, that thousands of wreaths are placed on headstones at cemeteries across the country.
The date changes every year, but it always falls on either the second or third Saturday in December.
The foundation for this day of remembrance came about in 1992 when Maine-based Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths near the end of the holiday season. With the aid of their senator, arrangements were made for the extra wreaths to be placed on stones in one of the older sections of Arlington National Cemetery – an area which was seeing fewer visitors with every passing year.
Other local organizations got in on the project. They helped with everything from transportation of the wreaths, to hand-crafting the red bows which sit atop each wreath, to arranging an official-wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The annual event stayed under the radar until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, went viral.
Photo courtesy of wreathsacrossamerica.org
In 2007, Wreaths Across America was established to accommodate the growing interest in Worcester Wreath’s annual tradition. Fourteen years later, holiday wreath-laying ceremonies are coordinated at more than 2,500 locations by Wreaths Across America. 2021’s Escort to Arlington – the annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery – began on December 11th and concludes December 18th.
Connect with Wreaths Across America by sponsoring a wreath, attending a wreath-laying ceremony, simply spreading the word about this extraordinary event, or getting to know our heroes and Veterans. Wreaths Across America locations exist all over the country, but if you can’t find a location near you, the organization will help you add a location at a cemetery in your area.
Always ready, always there – for 385 years. You read that right. The National Guard is 385 years old! It was established as part of the English Colonial Militia. This marked the beginning of an organized militia, which expanded to each of the colonies – eventually to states and territories – and today makes up military reserves in the form of Army and Air National Guard.
We wish a happy birthday to the National Guard on December 13th, as the oldest units were established on this date in 1636.
If you’ve read our post about the Army’s Birthday, you may be a little bit confused about how the reserve component of the Army could have been established before the Army, itself. This is simply due to a technicality. The Militia Act of 1792 permitted previously established militia units to retain their customary privileges, including dates of establishment.
The U.S. National Guard is a unique, essential branch of the military. Members of the National Guard usually hold civilian jobs while maintaining military training, part-time. This means they are always ready to serve or defend our nation.
The National Guard has the capability to respond to domestic emergencies and participate in overseas combat missions, counter drug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. Each state has dedicated National Guard units which are mobilized, as needed, by the President or Governor of the state in which they are located.
Like other military holidays and days of recognition, the National Guard Bday is not a national holiday. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to recognize and honor the National Guard on its birthday, just the same.
Some Guard units celebrate on a local level with open houses, recruitment efforts, or charity work. Additionally, memorial observances for those who lost their lives as a result of their service are often held on this day.
You can get involved by volunteering with a local National Guard office or Veteran service organization like the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the Wounded Warrior Project. And make sure you use #NationalGuard in any recognition posts on social media in the next few days.
