In this issue:
  News You Can Use
Organization Spotlight
This Month's Focus
Family Support
Community
Money & More
Mission Critical
Relocation
Veterans Corner
TRICARE
Book Club
Military Family Network News   ·   May 2010 

  A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MFN TEAM

May 9th is Mother's Day! Send a special online tribute to your Mom by visiting Stars and Stripes . Tributes will be viewable online.

Last year, we wrote a little about the history of how Mother's Day came into practice as one of our nation's annual traditions. For those of you who may have missed it or forgotten (!), we're sharing it again here:

By the way, did you know that the driving force behind Mother's Day was Anna Jarvis, who organized observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia exactly 101 years ago: May 10, 1908? As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis asked members of Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She finally succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau.)

Jarvis' idea was very simple: present a white carnation and a heartfelt letter to your mother on a day dedicated to honor all mothers to show how a mother's sacrifice and devotion matters and how we hold their love dear.

The meaning of this day is especially important to us at the Military Family Network, because military mothers are unique. They are truly special and because of this, we would like to take a moment to recognize all of the military mothers in our community. They display strength and courage, perseverance and patience, resiliency, support and unconditional love – and somehow make it look easy. You deserve every white carnation you receive!

Military Moms, we applaud you for all you do! Consider this our heartfelt letter.

Until Next Month (or you can email us at connections@MilitaryFamilyNetwork.com if you just can't wait!),

Megan, Luis and Darrell

  K-12 CORNER

K12 is the largest provider of online education in America for grades K through 12. We all know how often many of our military families are required to move. K12 is a way for those families to have a consistent educational experience, year after year. In fact, no matter where you are in the world, as long as you have an internet connection, K12 can give your children a high quality, American education.

Latest News

Middlebury College and K¹² Team Up 
Middlebury College, one of the nation's most renowned higher education institutions specializing in foreign language study, has partnered with K12 to create innovative online language programs for pre-college student Read the full announcement.

2010-2011 Enrollment is Now Open! 
K¹² is now enrolling students for the 2010-2011 school year. See the  schools in your state that offer the K¹² program and find out how to enroll.

One of our favorite causes, Alex's Lemonade Stand, is offering you the chance to cast your vote on how $25,000 is spent! Take a moment to visit their site and vote on one of the 10 projects…  http://www.alexslemonade.org/stand-host-poll-2010

To learn more about K12's latest news go to www.k12.com

Learn from the Experts

How to teach kids to read? K12's reading expert, Kristen Kinney, will discuss the importance of teaching classic literature in the lower grades.

Does your child struggle with physics? Read about how one struggling student became a physics teacher! 

Dads and Virtual Learning - Words of wisdom for dads regarding their role in the virtual learning journey.  Learn more about the crucial role dads play in their child's education.

To hear more from the education experts at K12 got to www.k12.com/blog

Common Misconceptions about Onine/Virtual Education

Myth: Students who attend online schools lack socialization and social skills. 
Fact: K¹² provides opportunities for students to socialize online in safe virtual environments. Additionally, K¹² sponsors extracurricular clubs and activities in which K¹² students can "virtually" participate. We also encourage students to participate in community athletics, clubs, and service organizations. As a result, students benefit from having friends in their online school as well as in outside activities. This leads to richer and more successful social lives for our students.

In fact, a recently conducted study of parents with students using the K¹² program in the U.S. indicates that students spent four hours per week on extra-curricular activities. That's equivalent to the time spent on outside activities prior to enrolling in K¹². However, for more than one third of the respondents, time spent on extra-curricular activities actually increased!

Myth: Students enrolled in online schools spend all day staring at a computer. 
Fact: K¹² students in kindergarten through fifth grade spend approximately 20 to 30 percent of their work-time online. The rest of the work is done offline—reading books, solving math problems on paper, drawing, and conducting science experiments. As children get older and their reading skills improve, instruction and activities will involve increased computer use, according to educational standards. However, offline work will always be essential. 

Myth: Online schools lack the structure of traditional schools. 
Fact: Many parents find the  K¹² curriculum to be very structured. The lessons and activities that students complete each day have been developed so that an adult has all of the tools and structure necessary to use the program successfully with the help of a committed teacher. However, the program is also flexible—you can modify an activity to meet your child's needs or interests, or build on the spontaneity that can occur during a particular lesson or on a particular day. In high school, the K¹²9¹² program provides the structure needed to ensure that students earn all necessary credits toward a high school diploma.

Myth: Guiding your children's learning is a full-time job. 
Fact: Acting as your child's "learning coach" does take time. Your children will need to spend an average of four to six hours on schoolwork each day, and they will need your oversight to make sure they remain on task, particularly in grades K-8. However, the time you spend working with your children does not have to be continuous. Direct parental participation can range from 80 percent for early grades—where the parent facilitates the child finding materials and moving through each day at a reasonable pace—to about 50 percent for middle school.

By high school, the student is expected to be more accountable for managing his or her own time. High school students follow a stricter pacing pattern, with a group of similar students, and under the supervision of a larger team of teachers; therefore, parental participation drops to about 10 percent. 

Myth: Students enrolled in online schools do not exercise. 
Fact: P.E. and Personal Health are required high school courses at K¹², demonstrating the K¹² commitment to students' health—both mental and physical. These courses rely upon students recording their daily exercise routine in an activity log tailored to their fitness objectives. Additionally, many online school students play in community soccer, volleyball, softball, basketball, and other sports leagues.

For more information…

K12 offers many education opportunities to military families, no matter where you are deployed in the world—public, private, or school at home. And, we offer our service families a 15 percent discount. For more information go to www.k12.com/military, or call 866-667-1262.


Military families make great sacrifices. With K12, education doesn't have to be one of them.

K12's Corner - Look for it each month!

  NEWS YOU CAN USE

First Lady Thanks Military Community for Service

First Lady Michelle Obama today applauded servicemembers and defense civilians for their commitment and service to the nation in a speech in the Pentagon courtyard, calling America's military community the finest in the world. Read More...


Guard Should Remain an Operational Reserve

National Guard leaders went to Capitol Hill yesterday with a message to Congress from Guardsmen: "We want to remain an operational reserve." Read More...


Bases Get New Names in Realignment

Some military installations are consolidating and getting new names as joint basing becomes a reality. Read More...


Warrior Games Seek to Inspire Disabled Warriors

The goal of the inaugural Warrior Games, scheduled for May 11-14, is to build confidence and provide rehabilitation for disabled service members and veterans, the commander of U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command said yesterday. Read More...


National Guard, Reserve Children Get Capitol Hill Recognition

When 9-year-old Valerie Gonzalez's father deployed to Kosovo with the California Army National Guard, Valerie got a grant that helped her participate in extracurricular activities. Read More...


Deployed Wing Holds Walking Event Observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing participated in the "Walk A Mile In Their Shoes" event by the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base here on April, 19 in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Read More...


Air Force officials announce uniform policy changes

Air Force officials announced April 12 uniform policy updates resulting from recent Air Force Uniform Board decisions. Read More... 


Capital-area Medical Centers Set for Reorganization

With a reorganization of units overseeing military medicine in the national capital area under way, interim steps are in place to maintain good care and emergency preparedness during the transition. Read More...


Admiral Urges Arming of Vessels to Combat Piracy

A top Navy commander suggested yesterday that commercial vessels should arm themselves when traveling through pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast. Read More...


Show Some WaterSense®
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

With all the talk about energy efficiency, it's easy to forget another resource we can't afford to waste: water. Fixing a leaky faucet, running only full washer loads, taking shorter showers, and watering lawns and gardens in the early morning are some simple ways to conserve water in and around your home. And now there's an easy way to shop for water-efficient appliances for your bathroom--look for the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense label on showerheads, faucets and toilets. 

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  TRICARE AND HEALTH

Getting the Help You Need, When You Need It

The Military Health System makes mental health assistance available to service members. Watch Video...


TRICARE Email Updates Are Easy

See how to get the latest news you can use. Watch Video...


Military's Top Doctors Discuss Centers of Excellence

The military's top doctors were on Capitol Hill yesterday to give their assessment of the Defense Department's Medical Centers of Excellence, four hospital centers they say are on their way to becoming the best in the world for research and treatment. Read More...


Services Improve Diagnosis of Brain Injuries, PTSD

Better understanding of post-combat brain injuries and psychological trauma, coupled with a host of measures to diagnose and treat such disorders, are preventing servicemembers from being unfairly discharged due to undiagnosed conditions, Defense Department officials told Congress members yesterday. Read More...


Fresh From the Farm to You
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

Want to find the freshest, ripest fruits and vegetables? Think local. Check out a farmer's market near you.

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  RELOCATION INFORMATION

Tips for Student Travelers
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

Know a young person traveling abroad this summer? Point her to the State Department's Smart Travel site with tips and links to help keep students safe and out of trouble.   


South Korea Post Readies for More Troops, Families
"If you build it, they will come."

The massive military community rising from the rice paddies here dwarfs anything Kevin Costner's character might have envisioned in the movie "Field of Dreams." The old Camp Humphreys is transforming from a quiet aviation base off the beaten track from Pyongtaek into a major hub for U.S. forces in South Korea. It's part of a major realignment of the 28,500 servicemembers in Korea, with nearly all of them to move south of the Han River within the next several years. Read More...


When Moving, Plan Ahead for Prescriptions

With all of the details involved in moving to a new duty station, transferring prescription medication may not be on the top of the list for many beneficiaries. In fact, it may not even be on the list. Read More...


TRICARE Moves with Moms-to-be

A pregnancy is an exciting and emotion-filled nine months for a family, whether it's a first child or a fourth. For military families, some of the excitement can also include a little stress if there is a transfer to a new duty station thrown into the mix. But don't stress, moms-to-be, TRICARE coverage goes with you whenever and wherever you move. Read More...

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  VETERANS CORNER

Shinseki: VA Tackles Root Causes of Homelessness

No one who has ever served the United States in uniform should ever end up living on the street, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki insists. Read More...


Shinseki Vows to Reduce VA's Claims Backlog

Prioritizing the work ahead shortly after his first anniversary on the job, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said his focus for the year ahead is on reducing the disability claims backlog. Read More...


VA Strives to Prevent Vet Suicides

With more than 6,000 veterans committing suicide every year –- and 98 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking their own lives during fiscal 2009 alone -- the Department of Veterans Affairs is redoubling its outreach to veterans and promoting its toll-free suicide-prevention hotline…Callers dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and then select option "1" to talk directly with a VA professional trained to deal with an immediate crisis. Read More...


Official Urges Gulf War Vets to Seek VA Care

Gulf War veterans with medical symptoms should seek treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs in light of a recent study that says Gulf War service is a cause of post-traumatic stress disorder, a senior Military Health System official said yesterday. Read More...


Mullen Talks Veteran Issues in Pittsburgh

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen met with community leaders and organizations here today as part of his "conversations with the country" initiative to ensure better futures for Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. Read More...


Seniors, Get Moving
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

Seniors can find inspiration and practical information for getting active on the National Institutes of Health's Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults section of NIH SeniorHealth. It suggests exercises for each of the four categories of activity: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility, including instructions and illustrations for 10 strength-building exercises you can do at home.

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COMMUNITY

Mullen Asks Communities to Assist Veterans

Integrating veterans into society is a challenge not only for the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, but for the communities they're transitioning into, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Read More...


Airlift Research Foundation Asks Your Support

If you are interested in helping those suffering with limb trauma or fostering the careers of young researchers, then visit this outstanding video about the importance and impact of Airlift Research Foundation's mission to improve the science to help our wounded warriors. Watch the video and then visit www.airliftrf.org to make a donation today. Don't forget to share Airlift Research Foundation with your friends. Thank you.

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ASK MFN'S MILITARY FAMILY SPECIALIST

Robin is MFN's Military Family Specialist. She is a regular feature to our monthly newsletter to help connect you with solutions to challenges in your military life. So, please meet Robin, a soldier of eighteen years and a family programs specialist. She will be your guide to keeping informed, being prepared and, well, mopping up messes if that's what it takes! You can reach her by emailing connections@militaryfamilynetwork.com for some good old Q&A or you can sit back and keep reading as we introduce some of her fine work right here in MFN's monthly newsletter. So, as they say, "On with the show!"

Good Afternoon Robin,

My name is Sam. I am a Navy service member and I'm looking for an agency or something to help with getting my wife's citizenship. Could you point me in the right direction? Thank You.

Hi Sam,

Thank you for contacting the Military Family Network.

For help in processing your wife's citizenship, we would recommend that you contact the Legal Assistance Office located on almost every base, ship and installation. The Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO) is a key source for providing legal assistance and can assist in most cases with providing advice on immigration and naturalization issues. If for some reason, your situation warrants attention that they do not provide, they certainly can tell you where to go for the help you need.

Also, please keep in mind that Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)as well as your Chaplain are always great resources when you aren't sure where to go next.

Best wishes to you and don't hesitate to drop us a note if we can be of further assistance!

Peace out, Robin

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  BUSINESS FEATURE

GoGoShopper can Save You Money Online


GoGoShopper.com started in 1999, when a poor student was trying very hard to save some money for his tuition. Back in those days of pinching pennies, Amazon coupons and other online discounts were real life savers. Over time, digging up the best online coupons, deals, and freebies on the Internet became one of his hobbies. Because of this, he decided to create a site that would bring all of these coupons and great deals to one place, making it easy for shoppers get the savings they want on all kinds of products like getting cheap shoes with Bluefly coupons.

GoGoShopper is designed to be a place where folks can spend less money when shopping online or even get something for free. It continues to grow each and every day, hunting for new online stores and coupons, from Toys R Us coupons for parents and kids alike to Old Navy coupons for clothing shoppers. So, whether you're looking for dinnerware and cooking supplies with Pfaltzgraff coupons or great deals on your favorite fashions through Yoox coupons, you've come to the right website.

It is the goal of GoGoShopper to provide you with the latest information on ways for you to save money.

ORGANIZATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT


This month, Military Family Network's "Organization in the Spotlight" is Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA). This organization stands out as one of the 'greats' in helping our fellow troops in achieving their mission. OTA is dedicated to members of our Armed Forces serving and sacrificing for our country. By providing them with "wish list" items that contribute to their morale, OTA presents a united front to our nation's deployed military by supporting them as individuals, because each of them

  • Memorializes our nation's past ;
  • Sacrifices to maintain our nation's culture and freedoms; and
  • Ensures the safety and freedom of our nation's future generations.

Operation Troop Appreciation's founder, Kristen Holloway, has created a "wish list" where troops can request items that are badly needed or, just something that will make the time pass by just a little better. One deployed soldier wrote, "On behalf of all the soldiers in my squad, I just want to say thank you.  Thank you for taking the time and effort to put together the care packages and ship them to us.  It really means a lot that you all care.  We will continue to do our best to make you all proud, as we are proud to be Americans."

Another project that OTA orchestrates is "Adopt a Unit" where it provides individuals, companies, churches, schools and other civic groups another great way to support deployed troops. To find out how you or your organization can adopt a troop, please visit OTA's Adopt a Unit page.

Also, this year, Operation Troop appreciation will host its annual OTA Charity Golf Outing on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the beautiful Hickory Heights Golf Club in Bridgeville, PA.  It is a great corporate fundraiser where not only do your donated dollars help support our troops, but you will have a blast! For more information, please visit OTA and see all the upcoming events.

Military Family Network is proud to partner and support Operation Troop Appreciation in helping our troops go though deployment with comforts from home.

Thank you Operation Troop Appreciation!

About Operation Troop Appreciation: Their mission is to build and sustain the morale of deployed troops, enabling them to complete their missions with the assurance that the American public supports and appreciates their selfless service and daily sacrifices.

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  THIS MONTH'S FOCUS

Happy National Military Appreciation Month!

Why happy? Because this month, there are community events throughout the country celebrating Y-O-U!

That's right military service members, veterans, spouses, and family members and those who love them, this month is all about letting you know how much you and your service means to our nation. So, how will we thank you? Well, communities all over America are launching "National Military Appreciation Month" operations where the whole mission is to recognize you and to celebrate our nation's rich military traditions, the diversity of our military community and to reflect with gratitude on your service and the service of those who came before you by understanding the historical relevance of that service in our lives today.

So, what are you waiting for? There will be concerts and symphonies; marathons and races; recognition ceremonies and tributes; museum tours, military displays and exhibits; food, fun, fireworks, fairs and play in the parks; horse races, motorcycle rides and drag racing; military discounts, specials, sales and bargains; miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, arcade games, movies; and much, much more! (Visit NMAM for more information, activities and events.)

We kick off the month with Loyalty Day (May 1 st) where "people reaffirm their loyalty to the United States and recognize the heritage of American freedom" [Source: TimeandDate.com]; VE (Victory in Europe) Day (May 8 th) celebrating the formal unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies in WWII; Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 7th) recognizing the strengths and sacrifices of our military spouses and the challenges they endure and rise above in support of our service members and our country; Armed Forces Day (May 15 th) honoring all of our military forces with activities all around the globe wherever our troops may be; and, most importantly, the month culminates in the most significant date of all, Memorial Day (May 30), a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed the most to bless us with the freedoms that we enjoy today. On this special day, we will have ceremonies and tributes, laying of wreaths, bugles, prayers and silence – a moment of remembrance at 3pm - where each American is asked to solemnly and prayerfully reflect on the fallen service members of yesterday and today and their families who have given so much.

During National Military Appreciation Month we embrace all that we hold dear, and that means you, military friend. Now go out there and have some fun!

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  FAMILY SUPPORT

New DVD Helps Children Deal With Deployment

Defense and USO officials joined military families at the U.S. Navy Memorial here yesterday to celebrate the launch of a new DVD created to help military children cope with a parent's deployment. Full Story...


Lynn , Mullen Host Sesame Workshop Preview

With help from a few familiar faces from Sesame Street , top defense officials hosted a preview of Sesame Workshop's newest outreach initiative, "When Families Grieve," here April 13. Read More...


Army to Standardized Service for Special-needs Families

The U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command recently conducted the second Exceptional Family Member Program Summit to enhance services for family members with special needs. Read More...


Military Teens Cope With Wartime Challenges

With a cocky grin and larger-than-life presence, Cornelius Madison commands attention when he walks down the high school hall here, always with a hint of a swagger. Bumping fists and cracking jokes, Cornelius seems impervious to stress or worry. It's only when discussing his deployed mother in an interview does he reveal a small chink in his otherwise impenetrable bravado. Read More...


Survivors and the Media
Source: Elaine Silvestrini and Gift From Within

"Gift From Within serves survivors - human beings who have suffered, often at the hands of others. The last thing a person who has been victimized needs is an encounter with an insensitive journalist. But reporters are currently learning more and more about PTSD and about listening to and learning from survivors. Elaine Silvestrini is a leading example of the new generation of media professionals who have taken the time to learn with us…I asked her to write to the GFW readers in an attempt to close the gap between survivors and reporters. We should help one another do our jobs. The survivors' job is to not just be alive, but feel alive in the fullest sense of that word. And the reporter's job is to tell painful truths without diminishing the dignity of survivors. Elaine does that job well --very well."
                                         -Frank Ochberg, MD

Read Elaine's article here.

About Gift from Within.org : Gift from Within is a non-profit organization dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals; develops and disseminates educational material, including videotapes, articles, books, and other resources through its website; maintains a roster of survivors who are willing to participate in an international network of peer support; is designated by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) public charity, eligible to receive tax-exempt grants, gifts, and donations.


Play it Again, Dot Mil Docs!

You are probably recognizing Dot Mil Docs as a "regular" in MFN's newsletter. That's because each month, we try to highlight an episode that we believe might be useful to you.

This month, MFN showcases Courage to Care, Courage to Talk

This episode (#108) presents Dr. Stephen Cozza, professor of psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, and associate director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, discussing a new program called "Courage to Care, Courage to Talk." So, check it out and while you are there, take a few minutes to look around. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the information that is available and amazed by what you can learn in a few short minutes. (By the way, you can learn more about this new, electronic health campaign at www.couragetotalk.org .)

About: Dot Mil Docs is the product of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Military Health System and is the official podcast of the Military Health System. America's Military Health System (MHS) is a unique partnership of medical educators, medical researchers, and healthcare providers and their support personnel worldwide. This DoD enterprise consists of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; the medical departments of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Joint Chiefs of Staff ; the Combatant Command surgeons ; and TRICARE providers (including private sector healthcare providers, hospitals and pharmacies). On DotMilDocs, military doctors and health care experts discuss a new topic each week. You can find more information here or the main web page for MHS at www.health.mil .

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  MONEY, EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT

Troops Take Advantage of GI Bill Transferability

More than 100,000 requests from troops desiring to transfer their unused education benefits to family members have been approved under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a defense official said April 21. Read More...


Education Activity Launches Interactive Resource

The Department of Defense Education Activity's educational partnership has launched an interactive educational resource for military families, military leaders and school leaders. Read More...


Job Help for Young Adults
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

No job, no high school diploma, no plan? For young people, ages 16 to 24, facing limited career options, the Job Corps offers hope and opportunity. Administered by the Department of Labor, it provides free hands-on training in more than 100 technical career paths, from automotive repair to health care to information technology. Students train at 123 centers nationwide.


Automation to Improve Post-9/11 GI Bill Processing

With 153,000 veterans enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill this semester, and new automation tools to arrive this month to improve processing procedures, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki declared the program "on track" and headed toward greater efficiency. Read More...


Help Stop Scams
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

If you've been cheated by a business, fallen victim to a scam or had your identity stolen, watch the Federal Trade Commission's new video on how to file a consumer complaint. By reporting scams and fraud, you help the FTC—the nation's consumer protection agency—put the crooks out of business.  Interested in the top consumer complaints for 2009? Identity theft still tops the list.


Confront Financial Issues Early, Expert Advises

Tough economic times have taken their toll on Americans in recent years, leaving many buried under debt or saddled with a now-unaffordable dream house that's plummeted too far in value to sell. While it may be tempting to ignore debt-related issues and toss unopened mortgage statements and bills into a neglected pile, confronting the issue head-on offers a much better option, a defense financial expert noted. Read More...


Know Your Benefits! Social Security Q&A
Yolanda York, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration

We've all been told, over and over in fact, that we need to put away a "little something extra" to carry us through those unexpected emergencies and our retirement. Save for retirement they say, "Save, save, save." But no one ever seems to tell us how much! Well, in this month's newsletter, Yolanda York does the math and provides some helpful tools to get us on the road to security and a prosperous retirement. So, don't delay, read "Save On A Rainy Day!" as soon as you can.

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MISSION CRITICAL INFO

Join the Military Family Network in the social media world!

Become a fan, share your military life experience and help others build a personal support network for their military career. MFN's Facebook page connects you with friends you can count on while MFN's Twitter page keeps you informed.


Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

  • Newsletter!
  • Website!
  • National Military Resource Book!

Contact Megan Turak at sales@MilitaryFamilyNetwork.com for more details.

*Military Community Submissions:

If you have a story, song or photo that you would like to share with The Military Family Network™, please contact Luis Trevino.


Get Seen! Get Heard! Join MFN's Referral Network!

The Military Family Network™ has connected and worked with media outfits of all kinds including ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, Montel Williams, Dr. Phil Show, Sesame Street, AARP, Newsweek, Army Times, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Social Security, Department of Labor, Military OneSource, Reader's Digest, VFW, United Press International, Lifetime, etc. and countless newspapers around the world. These organizations contact MFN for a variety of reasons, but in each case, they want to hear from the military community.

If you are a service member, military family member or veteran and would like to be included in MFN's referral network for media opportunities, please email lou@militaryfamilynetwork.com with your interest and contact information and Lou will be glad to include you for future opportunities.

Privacy Notice: The Military Family Network™ is committed to ensuring the privacy of our military community according to the Department of Defense and MFN does not release or sell information about individuals. In the event that you participate in MFN's referral network, you will be contacted by MFN about the opportunity first and if you are interested, you will be given the choice to provide MFN with permission to release your contact information (name, email or phone only) or be given the contact information to make the connection yourself. If you are an active member of the Armed Forces, it is always advisable to contact PAO for guidelines, permission, etc., before participating in public media opportunities.

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   MILITARY FRIENDLY DEALS

Club Reciprocal Privileges Extend to Army, Navy

Air Force Services Agency officials recently changed club policies to extend member benefits to all U.S. armed forces personnel with a valid dues-paying club membership card… Furthermore, non members, DOD civilians, and their family members may also utilize Army and Navy club facilities, but non-member pricing applies in these situations. Read More...


Military Families Get Free Access to Caregiver Network

Military families now have free access to an online network of quality caregivers who can assist with everything from babysitting to dog walking. Read More...


Send a FREE Health e-Card to Someone You Love! "Live well. Learn how."   Source: National Health Information Center

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers FREE e-cards for healthy, wholesome living like eating well, getting active, staying safe, getting screened and much more. So check it out and send a card that encourages your family and friends to live life fully! Click Here.


Mobile Health Information
Source: Federal Citizen Information Center

So you're at the drug store and can't decide which of the dozen allergy medicines to get. If you have a smart phone or other mobile device, you can check it out with Mobile Medline Plus, at http://m.medlineplus.gov/ from the National Institutes of Health. It has information on prescription and over-the-counter medications, health news, wellness topics, an illustrated medical encyclopedia and summaries of over 800 diseases.

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   MFN BOOK CLUB

Love You More Than You Know

Mothers' Stories About Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War
[Source: Gray & Company Publishers]

hspace=5"In these stories, 45 mothers of U.S. service men and women open their hearts and share what it feels like when your son or daughter leaves home to fight a war.

Some were stunned when they learned that their "baby" had enlisted. Others had long been familiar with military life. But all of these mothers knew their world had just changed the day their child called home and said, "Mom, I'm being deployed..."

They discovered the strange mix of pride and fear. The anxiety of not knowing exactly where in Iraq or Afghanistan your son is, whether your daughter is facing mortar fire or enduring heat and boredom. Elation at the arrival of the briefest postcard or email message. The daily dread, when returning home from work or a trip to the grocery store, of seeing a government car in the driveway and two soldiers at the door . . .

Anyone who reads their stories will admire their faith and courage--and better understand the sacrifices made by our U.S. service men and women and their families."

To order your copy of Love You More Than You Know: Mothers' Stories About Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War, visit this link. A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative for injured service members and their families, and to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.


Your Military Family Network

Order Your Copy Now!

"Your Military Family Network reference book is the most complete source of information for the active military, veterans and their families that I have seen. At first I just skimmed through it, but when I read the contents and your instructions on how to use this book, I realize this book was worth much more than the purchase price. Thank you for providing a helping hand for our military who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Your book it is a treasure for me and for all military personnel." - Curt M., WWII veteran

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© 2010, The Military Family Network™
The Military Family Network™ - P.O. Box 16366 - Pittsburgh , PA 15242
Email: connections@MilitaryFamilyNetwork.com - Web: http://www.MilitaryFamilyNetwork.com/
Phone: 866-205-2850 or 412-531-1970 | Fax: 866-226-2859 or 412-531-1978