The Nonprofit, Soldiers’ Angels runs a Halloween Candy collection program. The program signs up local businesses like dental offices to agree to accept excess Halloween candy in exchange for goodies. The candy is then collected and sent to troops and veterans. Visit Soldiers’ Angels to find a drop off location near you. It is too late to sign up to be a drop off point this year but check back in August, 2020 if you would like to be a collection point. This is a great way to get rid of all the candy your kids collect without all the tears. Many young ones are happy to “Support the Troops”.

“May No Soldier Go Unloved” is the motto of Soldiers’ Angels and founder Patti Patton-Bader saw first hand the need for soldiers to feel loved. The daughter of a Korean and Viet Nam war veteran, she established the nonprofit when her son, Staff Sgt. Brandon Varn was deployed to Iraq and shared stories that he was one of the few receiving care packages from home. Determined to turn this heartbreak around, Patti marshalled the troops of her family and friends and soon every soldier in the platoon was receiving a care package. 

Since that time “Soldiers’ Angels has become one of the highest rated nonprofits in the country. The group aids those serving in all branches of the military, their families and to Veterans. Almost everything raised, 96.5% goes to the organizations programs to provide support. It meets all 20 standards for accountability with the Better Business Bureau and awards from GreatNonprofits and Charity Navigator. Soldiers’ Angels has thousands of volunteers which they call Angels. In 2018, the group provided $25 million in aid, sent 28659 care packages and 177,307 letters, supported 24,000 Veterans with food aid, distributed 39,995 items at VA Hospitals. Over the holidays adopted 1637 families and provided 1,165 baby boxes to spouses and active duty female service members. Volunteers logged an astounding 164,524 volunteer hours. You can see why they are rated so highly as a charity.

This worthy cause has a variety of ways you can help. Visit the website and make monetary donations online or by mail. Ask if your company makes a matching gift or contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign. Host a Fundraiser or consider planned giving in your will. Drink a Beer, look for Craft Breweries that participate in Hops for Heroes and down a Homefront IPA. Soldiers’ Angels is one of the beneficiaries.  There are a variety of other ways you can support this cause such as donating a car or shopping at Amazon. Even little things can make a big difference.

May No Soldier Go Unloved,
May No Soldier Walk Alone,
May No Soldier Be Forgotten,
Until They All Come Home.™

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

My kids run out the door, and after a quick peek I know that I can keep on prepping dinner. When I run out of Tylenol at night, I know I’ve got some just a quick phone call away.

I’m raising my kids in an incredible village – and it’s amazing.

Why Raising Kids in a Village is Amazing

Finding a space like this is rare in the world. But it’s something you find on every single military base around the world.

No, our housing situation might not be amazing. But the neighbors truly do make up for what’s lacking.

Built-In Parent Friends

Parenting, especially when you are often doing things solo, is a rough journey. Military housing and military communities offer a support system – built right in.

No matter where you are on the parenting journey, there is a neighbor going through something similar.

When I was first pregnant, I lived off-base. I didn’t know my neighbors and only had my colleagues at school for support. Even the unit wasn’t supportive since it was an unorthodox structure.

I had almost no one to talk to about pregnancy, birth or what life is like with a newborn. It was lonely.

Contrast that to my second pregnancy, when we lived on base. My friend across the parking lot had a kid the same age as my oldest. My neighbor right next door had just had a baby six months earlier. And someone down the block was a pediatric nurse.

All my worries, problems and even medical questions were instantly answered. Everyone I needed was right there, in my on base community.

Immediate Friends for Kids

My kids have never known what it’s like to be the new kid because they have spent most of their (admittedly short) lives living on military bases. They were never the new kid because everyone was the new kid, at the same time.

My daughter’s best friends moved into their houses at exactly the same time we did. They were all new together.

By the end of week one, they were roaming our cul de sac as a tiny three-year-old mob.

They learned to ride bikes the exact same day, collected bugs and generally ruled the community playground.

Immediate friends were plentiful in my little village.

Collective Parenting at Its Finest

When I moved into my last neighborhood on base, all of the parents seemed to share a collective parenting strategy. The consequence for one kid that stepped out of line was the same for everyone.

It was never really ever talked about, but it happened nonetheless.

Perhaps at some point, we had some informal chats about stuff or talked things through in the moment. But mostly, one parent spoke up and the rest of us followed along.

It’s also what made it easy to give my kids a lot more freedom.

They were able to run outside to play because I knew another parent would watch them while I wrapped up dinner or finished a few chores. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a situation where my kids were running amuck 100% of the time without me.

No, we swapped our duties so that everyone operated more efficiently. I would come out once I had my inside things under control so that another parent could pop into their house for a bit. We rotated supervision.

That’s not something I’ve ever experienced before. Having that type of a community, the kind where you feel comfortable giving freedom to your children and still getting all the things done, is so freeing.

We Need More Villages for Our Kids

In the modern era, we seem to have moved away from neighborhoods like this. We don’t see kids outside playing after school. Instead, everyone is inside because parents have stuff to do, kids have homework and someone needs to be supervising every single second.

Living in a village with that unspoken community parenting agreement made it easier for my family to thrive. And we need that again in America.

Kids should play outside, parents should share the burden and everyone should support each other. This is just life on military bases around the world. But it needs to make a revival in cul de sacs and neighborhoods off base, too.

Our nation would be better for living together, sharing joys and responsibilities more freely. It would certainly make getting dinner on the table and keeping kids occupied safely a little easier!

How have you leaned on your military village to raise your family? Share your story in the comments!

Every year, businesses and organizations prep special opportunities and discounts to honor those who have honorably served. And in 2019 these discounts are going to be incredible!

To make your life easier, we’ve broken everything down by category:

• Food Freebies
• Store Savings
• Fun & Entertainment

We’re sharing a few hand-picked deals from across the US that serve up amazing benefits to active duty troops, veterans and retired service members.

Veteran’s Day Freebies & Discounts for 2019

We’d love to know your favorite Veteran’s Day deals and discounts! Or if we’ve missed a special opportunity that’s flying under the radar.

Food Freebies for Veteran’s Day 2019

Everybody’s got to eat – and on Veteran’s Day lots of yummy restaurants open their doors to troops and veterans with free meals!

You’ll want to bookmark a few of these spots on your favorite GPS app for November 11. It’s 100% possible to eat free all weekend, breakfast, lunch and dinner!

• Applebees: veterans and troops will receive a free meal on November 11
• Chili’s Bar & Grill: grab a meal on the house on November 11
• Golden Corral: mosey on down for your free dinner between 5-9pm on November 11
• Red Robin: order a burger and fries on November 11
• Mission BBQ: get yourself a tasty sandwich and a slice of cake on Veteran’s Day
• IHOP: start your day with pancakes and syrup on November 11
• Texas Road House: from 11am-4pm, active duty and veterans can grab a free Texas-sized lunch
• 54th Street Grill: get lunch, up to $12, for free on Veteran’s Day
• Bob Evans: choose from a special Veteran’s Day menu of complimentary meals just for veterans and troops
• California Pizza Kitchen: choose from a free pizza, pasta or salad on Veteran’s Day
• Hooters: enjoy your wings, or any entree, for free on Veteran’s Day
• Little Caesars: grab a Hot N’ Ready meal deal, up to $5, on November 11
• Olive Garden: the Italian chain is curating a special Veteran’s Day menu, offered for free
• Peet’s Coffee: sip a free cup of coffee or tea on November 11
• Starbucks: or grab a tall cup of joe here on Veteran’s Day
• TGI Friday’s: enjoy a free lunch, up to $12, from 11am to 4pm on November 11

Other chains offer discounts to veterans and active duty troops – including some that run all year long!

• Hometown Buffet: snag 15% off of meals for up to 4 people on Veteran’s Day and Mondays all year long
• Old Country Buffet: sit down to a yummy feast at 15% off for up to four people on November 11 and every Monday throughout the year
• Bakers Square: you’ll be able to get a free meal on November 11, plus a 10% discount every day of the year
• Bonefish Grill: get a free appetizer when you order an entree on Veteran’s Day
• The Chop House: score 50% off of your meal (maybe a steak?) on November 11
• Fogo de Chao: get your Brazilian BBQ on with a 50% discount on meals from November 8 to November 11, plus three additional meals will be discounted 10%

Store & Shopping Savings on Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day offers more than just a free or cheaper meal. You can score some sweet deals at stores, too!

• Home Depot: grab a 10% discount on Veteran’s Day, or any day, at this home supply superstore
• BJ’s Wholesale: get a membership at a 30% discount on November 11
• Publix: load up your cart and checkout at 10% off on Veteran’s Day
• Great Clips: look sharp with a free haircut on November 11
• Tuft & Needle: sleep sounder with up to $175 off of your new Mint or Hybrid mattress

Fun & Entertainment Deals for Veteran’s Day

Round out your day with a little fun – for free! Or at least way cheaper. Check out these incredible Veteran’s Day discounts and opportunities!

• B&B’s for Vets: enjoy a night of relaxation at a welcoming B&B
• Colonial Williamsburg: experience colonial life with free admission throughout Veteran’s Day weekend
• Divi Resorts: book a tropical getaway at up to 50% off through November 27
• Knott’s Berry Farm: go screaming down roller coasters for free November 3-21 and December 2-19
• La Quinta: stay for 15% off through December 5 at these super family-friendly hotels
• Montpelier, Monticello, Mount Vernon: veterans and active duty get free admission on Veteran’s Day weekend
• National Parks: over 100 properties will be open to veterans, active duty and their families on November 11
• Westgate Resorts: enter to win a free stay in May 2020 – with 1,500 free stays are offered up with entry starting on November 11
• Zoos across the US: go see lions, tigers and bears at the San Antonio Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Sedgwick County Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo and the Birmingham Zoo

Most of these deals, discounts and freebies require verification of your military service. So arrive in uniform, bring your CAC card, DD214 or other proof of service. Check with each location you’d like to visit to find out what they require.

What did we miss? Share your favorite national or local Veteran’s Day deals in the comments!

     It’s that time of year again when the holidays are rapidly approaching. They are especially difficult if your spouse is deployed and you have children who have expectations. When they are younger it is easier as they don’t know it is a holiday.

     The first Thanksgiving my husband was deployed my sons were two and three years old. My Mother came to visit which was nice but when it came time for Thanksgiving neither of us felt like making the effort. In my family Thanksgiving is an extravaganza, with ham and turkey and so many side dishes the table is covered. It is finished off with signature dishes like my pecan pie and my mother’s pumpkin chiffon pie. All is this is served on the good china with freshly polished silver. Obviously, that was too much cooking for two. Not wanting to go out to eat we opted for the Cracker Barrel which had take out meals on Thanksgiving. They offered plates with all the Thanksgiving favorites, so we ordered two and I ran over to pick them up. It was heaven. Just the right size and no cooking.

     Sometimes during deployments, I just wouldn’t want to be around anyone during the holidays whereas other times I was feeling more social and wanted to be around people. In that case a Thanksgiving Potluck is in order. Get together with others in your boat and join for a nice meal. Many of the neighborhoods on military installations have community centers which you can use. Some even have playgrounds for the kids. Decide how everyone is going to participate and plan what everyone is to bring. I like to use www.perfectpotluck.com. You can set up a meal and decide what you need everything from food and drinks to plates and utensils. You then blast it out to all you want to attend in one email. Then everyone can sign up and see what others are bringing so there isn’t any repetition. Consider asking for people to chip in for a big turkey (you can even put a donation as something to bring to cover cost of turkey). Make sure to consider cleanup. Oftentimes everyone heads out leaving one or two people to handle the mess. Be considerate and help.

     During deployments it can be hard when your civilian friends and family are celebrating so getting together with your military family makes sense as they totally understand what you are going through. How do you handle the holidays when your spouse is deployed?

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

It’s that time a year again when thoughts turn to ways to honor our Veterans. Many of our older Veterans reside in state Veteran’s homes. These homes care for our Veterans and provide various levels of care. Many residents are just hindered by mobility and the ability to care for themselves while their minds remain as sharp as a tack. One area where there just isn’t enough funding is the activity fund which provides stimulating activities for the residents. Every Veteran’s Home has its own needs so check to see what they need. Visit the website (just google your state and Veteran’s Home) and look for information on volunteering and donations. After speaking with Terry Nisbet at the VA Home in Orting, Washington I got a sense of what you can do to help.

• Visit – Call and arrange a time to visit with a few friends. This does not require formal training and residents love to have someone stop by and chat. If you feel called to volunteer more there are training programs depending on what you will be doing.
• Memory Care and Music – This program provides and MP3 player with a curated playlist of the music from the Veteran’s favorite era. The needs for this program are iTunes gift cards which go to purchase songs that aren’t in their library and MP3 players.
• Headphones with 6 feet cords, no ear buds. Residents that have TVs in their rooms need to plug in, so they don’t disturb their roommates.
• Donations for the activity fund. This helps pay for activities for the Veterans like an outing for lunch at a local restaurant.
• Hand Made Cards – These are very popular particularly the ones made by children. Consider having your children make some and then take time to make a visit.

Electric Razors

• Pocket Talkers – These fit in a pocket and the resident wears headphones and it helps them hear better.

Each home has its own requirements. The VA home in Orting is requesting a Juiceman Juicer because they have a group interested in health and is currently learning about and drinking healthy juice. They are also looking to replace their large white canopy awnings for outdoor events. So, check in with your local VA home to see what their needs are. Consider asking for donations to purchase an item they might need. Most places get a buzz of activity around the holidays but remember Veterans live in the homes year-round and would love visitors any time. My father currently resides in a VA Home and he said there is lots of activity during the week with physical therapy, appointments etc., but the weekends are slow and boring. Weekends are a good time to visit.

Let’s not forget our Veterans especially those residing in VA homes. Many are from the Vietnam era where they faced many challenges without the support our military has today.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Summer is over and you’re ready to explore your location in some cooler weather (finally). Your local military base has a wealth of resources to help you and your family or friends create tons of exciting adventures all fall!

Jump Into Fall with On-Base Resources and Events

The military community, wherever you’re located, is the place to be for cool trips, fun festivals and interesting adventures.

Fall Festivals for Families On Base

Units, family readiness groups and morale centers are hosting all the festivals this fall!

Check out the social media feed for your particular location, including the community services page (MWR, MCCS, etc.), to stay in the loop about what’s happening every day.

Many bases will host Fall Festivals, Halloween events and even fitness shindigs this month – and through the end of the year. There will be lots of crafts and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Fall is also a prime time for adults-only ventures, like wine festivals. From free wine tastings, like the one hosted recently at Joint Base Fort Myer-Henderson Hall, to paid events, like the wine tasting parties in Okinawa.

No fall festivals on your base? No problem! Rent party supplies, like chairs and tables, or set aside time in a community event space for a DIY fall festival. Invite your neighbors, folks from the unit or keep it small with a close group of friends. Play games, eat comfort foods and kickback while enjoying all that fall offers!

Fitness for Military Communities in Autumn

There are tons of military fitness events, from races to expos, held on military bases around the country and world right now.

Check with your on-base gym and community services or morale and welfare offices for specifics. For example, there are sometimes cool post-Thanksgiving exercise-a-thons at the gym or Friday Fun Runs hosted by MCCS or MWR.

There are also giant fitness events that attract participants or competitors on a much larger scale. DC, for example, hosts both the Army 10 Miler and Marine Corps Marathon races which draw runners from around the world. Racers: look for the 2020 registrations for these events next spring!

Beyond events, many classes and fitness groups at the on-base gyms offer seasonal classes with specific start and end dates. These sometimes come at an additional cost, but also offer specialty services like BootCamp fitness or advanced yoga practices. Check with your fitness center for their latest fitness schedule.

Get Off Base for Adventures

Want to go bigger? Head over to ITT for incredible opportunities beyond the base gates. You can snag tickets to events, attractions and even complete vacation packages, too!

Look for unique-to-your-area events, like fall foliage tours or local amusement parks, that you can’t do anywhere else. Fall might be a great time to go on a Hornblower tour in San Diego or go to a college game in SEC country.

Head over to Outdoor Recreation, or your base’s equivalent, to snag a ton of cool outdoor equipment for super cheap and sometimes free! From camping gear to kayaking needs, this office has got your bases covered. This is a great opportunity to try a new outdoor activity without the pressure of needing to like it passionately because you’ve invested a ton of money in the supplies. When you’re done, simply return the equipment and walk away.

If you’re looking for a true out-of-town experience, ITT and MilitaryShoppers can totally help! ITT and MilitaryShoppers Travel Club both have inside tracks on the sweetest deals at the hottest properties around the world. From hotels in big cities to luxurious resorts, you can find all sorts of great places to explore!

Or try military-owned hotels and resorts. You can leaf-peep in Seoul at the Dragon Hill Lodge, explore Hawai’i from the on-base lodges or take in Oktoberfest at Eidelweiss in Germany.

Do all the things! And ITT will help you offer them cheaper than face-value, at the gate prices.

Halloween Happenings On Bases Everywhere

Get spooky this fall with cool events on-base!

One of the best places to trick-or-treat is actually on base. Houses are often totally decorated for the holiday with residents going all out on the candy! Many houses give out full-size candy bars, too.

Beyond traditional trick-or-treating, there are also tons of trunk-or-treat opportunities. Different organizations sponsor different events on and around military bases.

Pick your costumes and grab your bags for a fun, spooky Halloween on base!

What’s happening on or around your military base this fall? We’d love to check out your fave fall events!

As Military Families we tend to gravitate towards our own and with multiple deployments and the stress of military life sometimes our military friends are the only ones that can understand what you are going through but having civilian friends are important too. They are often a source of information that your military friends may not know about the local area and having a civilian friend can just feel normal and get you away from talking about military life.

My friend Kim has been that friend for me. She is the one that knows all the cool things like the bakery that sells this unique cinnamon bread which is so tightly swirled it looks like the rings on a tree trunk. Kim knows all the locals go to a certain marina to get the best deal on crab. She is my go-to source of information for my local area. I love that she knows about the warehouse coat sale and so many other things.

Meeting civilian friends can be a challenge as many already have friends from 1^st grade or plenty of family in the area and just don’t have room for a new friend in their lives. Don’t get discouraged, there is always someone who will be open to a military friendship. So how do you meet new civilian friends? My top three places: church, school and the gym.

Church is a great place to meet people. We have always chosen to attend a church off the military installation. Sundays to me means getting away from the military culture even if it just an hour. Most church communities no matter what your faith have a variety of groups you can join. This is an easy way to meet new people as organizations always need volunteers. For families with small children many churches have a Mom’s Money Out for a small fee or a co-op where you volunteer in exchange for childcare. Working with other Moms gives you a chance to get to know each other and you have children in common.

Another way to meet friends is through your children’s school or sports team. We always sent our children to Catholic schools which had mandatory volunteer hours. I can remember working on the teacher appreciation luncheon and I met so many nice people. Volunteering at your PTA will help you meet other parents who care about education.

Over the years I’ve met lots of friends over shared workouts. Although I appreciate being able to use the gyms on post for free, sometimes it is just too much testosterone for me. Some workouts are more geared to meeting people than others, so you need to find what works for you. A fitness facility located near a coffee shop makes it easy to interact with people. “Oh, I saw you at the gym, how do you like Missy’s class”. It is a natural opening that elicits a response and maybe even a “Would you like to join us?”

Don’t be afraid to say, “I just moved here.” Asking advice on local things is an easy opener to get a conversation going. My friend, Kim and I started as casual acquaintances as she worked at my children’s school. After working with her on a volunteer project we became friends. The most recent thing I learned from her is the best neighborhood in the area. We both bought homes there and now walk in the mornings. Since we decided to retire I now have what I hope to be a lifetime friendship.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com