News

Senior military officials, leaders in government and business, and members of the entertainment community joined military family representatives on Thursday for the launch of a new suicide prevention PSA campaign aimed at military families and veterans.

I am a very good war bride. That’s not just bluster on my part; that statement has been tested and proven, time and again. But take away the war and, as I’ve learned in this past year of no deployments, I am not a very good bride.

The Creative Coalition and Blue Star Families, in partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and Health Net, Inc., are joining forces to raise awareness and educate military families, veterans and service members about crisis and suicide prevention.

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Spouse Symposium is an awesome event, which occurs annually in the Hampton Roads area. This year, they are expanding the scope and including a career fair. The theme is all about careers – getting one, keeping one, and most importantly, discovering what fulfills you, works with your military life and best uses your talents.

Although military families may not be spending time in Afghanistan or Iraq, they are still serving the United States through their unconditional support of their family members. Many Americans understand that these families make great sacrifices, and so governmental agencies and private companies offer Blue Star families a wide range of benefits similar to those our veterans and active duty service members receive.

I don’t really check weather forecasts. Perhaps that’s a something I should change. It’s just that the weather doesn’t really affect me all that much. If I open the door and it’s cold, I’ll grab a coat. If it’s raining, I grab a raincoat. I keep sunglasses and a umbrella in my car. My plans are rarely altered by outside conditions, so it rarely occurs to me to find out what those conditions will be in advance.

Blue Star Families co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Kathy Roth-Douquet, is testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee this afternoon.  Her testimony on the challenges facing military families follows.
Thank you, Senator Webb, Senator Graham, and members of the subcommittee for inviting us here to speak to you today.

Today Dr. Jill Biden and The First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, announced an initiative called Joining Forces. After the announcement, several MilBloggers and writers participated in a conference call with Dr. Jill Biden and Matt Flavin, an Army veteran and the Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy.

Major national organizations are challenging Americans to perform millions of hours of community service to support and honor our nation's military families, veterans and service members, in support of the First Lady's campaign for military families. Today, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched an initiative to support and honor our nation's military families.

Just got off the phone from a blogger round table with Robert Gordon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy.  Mr. Gordon was talking with the military familiy and blogging community about volunteerism.