Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Stumped for a Gift?

By

Give the Gift of Experience

By Marguerite Cleveland

With less than two weeks to Christmas, I often find myself wracking my brain for a special gift for someone who is hard to shop for. It could be that teenager who only wants expensive tech gifts or someone who has everything. When you find yourself in this situation, give the gift of an experience. It makes a perfect gift and it is unique.  It is a gift people really like just make sure you tailor it to their interests. Here are some options:

  • Zoo or Aquarium Membership – This is perfect for a family and is something they can enjoy over and over again all year round.
  • iFly Indoor Skydiving – This company has locations all over the country and offers cool experience for an adrenaline junky. Bonus you can often snag a deal on gift certificates at Costco.
  • Distilling – Many craft distillers offer tours and tastings and some offer distilling experiences where you get to make your own batch. Super cool activity for a bourbon whiskey lover.

Photo credit: Marguerite Cleveland

  • Cooking Class – We all have that relative or friend who is glued to the Cooking Channel and never misses an episode of chopped. A cooking class makes a great gift. Look in your local area, restaurants, schools and personal chefs are a great place to start or contact your local tourism bureau. Fun classes include fresh pasta making or learn how to make macarons. So many options.
  • Day Trip – Check with Outdoor Rec or MWR at your local duty stations. Many offer fun day trips such as white water rafting or ski trips. Lots of fun and a great way to meet new people.
  • Indoor Shooting Range – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love to shoot and if they haven’t it is fun to learn. You can give shooting classes or time at the range. Purchase extra ammo to wrap up.
  • Ziplining or bungee jumping – Another experience for the adrenaline junky. Places to zipline are popping up all over the country and are not just in vacation spots anymore. Just make sure your recipient is not afraid of heights.
  • Specialty Dinner – Another great foodie gift. Many restaurants will offer special meals throughout the year that highlight local produce like a farm to table meal. Wine dinners are also popular where a local chef flexes his culinary muscles and prepares a meal to pair perfectly with a selection of wines.
  • Groupon – This is a great place to go for last minute gifts of experiences. I often find great ideas for things to do locally but also in other towns. Checking in my area and everything from Escape Rooms, Paintball, Go Karting and quite a few things on this list pop up. Great gift at a great discount.

So don’t despair if you haven’t found the perfect gift. A present of an experience is sure to be a hit. What is your favorite experience gift? Post in the comments.

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.WanderWordsWine.com

 

 

Scholarships for Military Children

By

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

 

 

Release Number:         86-18                                                                                                                        

Date:                              November 29, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Scholarships for Military Children

Dec. 14 start date for new applications; process all online

By Mike Perron,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 

Note: To watch a video on DeCA’s YouTube page related to Scholarships for Military Children, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJrphCfYBY.

FORT LEE, Va. – The Scholarships for Military Children Program for school year 2019 – 2020 kicks off Dec. 14, and continues accepting applications through Feb. 15.

This marks the first time the entry process will happen entirely online according to Jim Weiskopf, Fisher House vice president. “It will be simple to create an account, save your work and submit your application when finalized,” he explained. “The online process will make it easier for military children to reach their education goals.”

The program, entering its 19th year, recognizes the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and celebrates the commissary’s role in enhancing military quality of life. It’s administered by Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps service members and their families. Thus far, the program has awarded more than $18 million to 10,814 students.

Selection qualifications are straightforward. Requirements include completing the application; submission of the student’s official transcript indicating a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for high school applicants, or college transcript indicating a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for students already enrolled in college; and an essay of 500 words or less, no longer than two pages.

Eligibility for the program is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current military dependent ID card. The applicant must also be planning to attend or already be attending an accredited college or university, full time, in the fall of 2019 or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program.

Applicants who are awarded a full scholarship to attend a college or university or receive an appointment to one of the military academies or affiliated preparatory schools are not eligible to receive funds from this program. A full scholarship is usually defined as one that provides for payment of tuition, books, lab fees and other expenses.

For scholarship year 2019-20, Fisher House Foundation will award 500 scholarship grants of $2,000 each. The selection process will begin immediately following receipt of all applications in February.

“It will be exciting to see the increase in the applications with the new online submission,” said Marye Dobson, the Defense Commissary Agency’s scholarships program liaison. “I believe online submissions will attract more potential recipients as this method is right in line with the way many students attend classes, complete school work, and live their everyday lives.”

All rules and requirements for the program, as well as links to frequently asked questions are available at the Scholarships for Military Children website.

Fisher House also recently added an additional custom scholarship search engine to the site, tailored to military families, called “Scholarships for Service.” It’s free, easy to use, and available on mobile devices or computers at militaryscholar.org.

-DeCA-

Finding Your Own Holiday Traditions and Activities near Your Current Duty Station

By

By Marguerite Cleveland

One of the most difficult things about being a military family is being away from all your relatives during the holidays. You miss the local holiday traditions and activities especially if you looked forward to sharing them with your children. Although you can’t get the same experience you can recreate it where you currently live and maybe find some new experiences that your family will love.

Going to See the Lights – This is always a popular event whether it is that cool neighborhood known for its Christmas Lights, the drive thru extravaganzas with thousands of lights or walking through Zoolights. The good thing is these events are available just about everywhere. If Zoolights are your thing check the website of your local zoo which is bound to have this holiday tradition. Make sure to check since many offer a military discount or military days.  As an Army family we are rarely stationed near a coast but this year living near the Puget Sound we’ve discovered a new event, the lighted boat parade. So cool and there are three different ones located not far from our base.

Base Activities – Most military installations have some type of holiday traditions. In our case it is the annual tree lighting ceremony. This is a great way to come together with military families who are also missing home. The chapels will also have holiday services for a variety of faiths and denominations. Consider inviting a single service member or young couple to a holiday dinner.

Snow – Not all locations you are assigned to will have four seasons so sometimes you have to improvise. Our family was stationed a number of years in the south and my children have unique memories of “snow”. In Savannah, Georgia they actually brought in a few truckloads of snow and dumped it out downtown for the kids to play in, a big hit with my children. I have to admit the plastic flooring with water on it to simulate ice skating, not so much. At Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Georgia the big holiday event has real snow for tubing. If you live in a snowy climate there are plenty of options. National and State Parks will have snow play areas and there are bound to be great hills for sledding.

Local Holiday Events – Google (name your location) and you should be able to locate a visitors bureau for your location. The website will include an event section and you can find all the information about things that will appeal to your family. You’ll find everything from caroling, ice skating, holiday lights, Christmas Shows etc. Some locations will offer Polar Express Train Rides and often fairgrounds will have events.

I have found the key to a happy holiday season is not to focus on the things you miss, but the things you have. It’s a lot of responsibility but I’ve found as a military spouse if you make the effort to be happy then the whole family will follow suit. Get excited about all the new things you might never have seen if you hadn’t moved. So Happy Holidays to all.

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.WanderWordsWine.com

 

Holiday Traditions Around the World that MilFams Love

By

Pop into a military family’s home in North Carolina and you might find origami cranes on the tree and stollen sharing space with a nice bottle of California red wine on the table.

Military families are sent all over the country and around the world. Along the way, we mix a few local holiday traditions into our family celebrations.

So pop a Christmas cracker, light the Advent wreath and deck the halls this season with holiday traditions around the world!

Holiday Traditions Around the World that MilFams Love

With military families celebrating around the country and across the globe, we’ve picked out a few unique and special traditions that we love.

Advent Wreaths

This is a German tradition originally but has definitely spread around the world. Advent wreaths use winter greens, like pine boughs, and candles.

Place four candles into the circle of pine branches. Light one candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas so that by Christmas day all four candles will be lit!

Japanese Christmas Cake

Following World War II, this decadent whip cream-filled cake became popular to show how Japan rebuilt from almost nothing.

Today, you can buy a yummy “kurisumasu keki” all over Japan. You’ll love the perfect strawberries on top along with the kawaii (cute) candy decorations.

Christmas Crackers

Say “Merry Christmas” with a pop with this tradition from the UK! Set a cracker beside each table setting or leave a big basket out on the coffee table.

Guests pull both ends of the cracker, a paper tube with treats inside, which opens with a bang. Inside the cracker are candies and paper hats, plus other small toys and surprises.

Holiday Luau

Nothing says Christmas in Hawaii like a big, community luau and pig roast! Sway to island music and greet each guest with a lei.

Whether you are enjoying a day of tropical sunshine or sitting in a few feet of snow, your Christmas will be merry and bright.

Smoked Christmas Ham

Set your holiday table with a delicious Southern-smoked ham from Virginia or Tennessee! This tradition from the southern United States is a classic.

US-based families can keep the flavors of the South on their holiday table no matter where they live. Many top ham companies will ship throughout the lower 48!

Christmas Pickle

No one is quite sure where this tradition comes from, but it is definitely connected to German blown glass ornaments. Pick up your own pickle Christmas ornament in Europe, or anywhere really.

On Christmas Even hide the pickle in your tree. In the morning, the first child to find the pickle gets a “bonus” gift!

KFC for Christmas

You won’t find a turkey or even a nice honey ham on Japanese Christmas tables. Instead, you’ll find a big bucket of the Colonel’s special recipe chicken!

KFC meals are a huge Japanese holiday tradition. With several packages to choose from, ordering begins about a month before Christmas. You could even grab a meal complete with cake and sparkling wine!

St. Nicholas Day

For kids around Europe, especially in Germany, December 6 is one of the hallmarks of the holiday season. If you celebrate St. Nicholas Day, your own kids might have a hard time sleeping on December 5!

Set our your child’s shoes for St. Nick to fill with toys and small treats for good girls and boys. This sweet holiday is a great way to kick off the holiday season, celebrating giving to others!

Mince Pies & Figgy Pudding

Enjoy these festive British treats to get into the spirit of the season!

Mince pies have a variety of fillings, with fruit, meat, and spices in the mix. The recipe has shifted over the centuries, with many families creating their own unique twists on tradition.

Figgy pudding is a fruit-filled, booze-soaked cake. This is definitely an adults-only treat from the UK!

Twelfth Night

Many European countries, including Germany, celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, on January 6. There are some connections to Christian stories, including the celebration of the three kings who visited Jesus.

It is also a great reason to prolong the holiday festivities with parties and good times! Gather together with family and friends for a night of celebrating.

Surfing Santa

St. Nick might show up on a surfboard in SoCal or an outrigger in Hawaii! Many local holiday decorations feature the man in red sporting a festive Hawaiian print shirt and hanging ten.

Pick up your own local Santa figure to display at your home during the holidays!

 

What special holiday traditions have you picked up over the years? We’d love to read about your Christmas traditions from duty stations near and far!

A Christmas List that Only a Military Spouse Would Understand

By

Christmas lists are so hard for me to write. There is truly nothing I need that I don’t already have. And the things I want can’t be bought at a store.

A Christmas List that Only a Military Spouse Would Understand

My most wished for Christmas gifts are things that might make military spouses nod and smile.

Magic Curtains

It would be nice if houses all came with just a few standard window sizes. You’d think that might be the case, given advances in modern house building and technology generally.

Nope.

My giant box of curtains knows the truth. Every single house we’ve lived in for the last ten years has had different sized windows. Sometimes the windows in one house are a variety of sizes.

Buying curtains to fit all those windows, plus hopefully work in the next few houses, can be a battle.

I’d love to get a dozen pairs of magic curtains. My magic curtains would resize themselves based on the windows in our current house. Wider, longer, shorter, narrower, whatever.

I’d prefer the upgraded pattern changing curtains, but will totally be happy with basic grey.

Post-PCS Fairy

The only thing worse than packing up your house is unpacking your entire house. It might just be me, but our HHG seems to triple in size by the time we accept delivery.

Not only does it seem like more, but now I need to make everything fit into a new house. All the rooms are different shapes, the walls are different colors, and suddenly that bookcase doesn’t work in any room!

I’d love to have someone come to my house to run interference on my post-PCS unpacking. My person would help entertain the kids, remember to walk the dog, give advice about organization, and share decorating tips.

A Clone

I feel like I always need to be in a million places at once. Usually, my crunch time is at the end of the day. I’ve got to hit the commissary, mail things out before the post office closes, go to the bank, and handle school pick up. All between 4 and 5 pm.

I could sure use a few more copies of me to do all the things!

If I had a clone or two, all those errands that I need to fit in between the end of working and the end of school would be a snap! There might even be enough of me to make dinner at a reasonable time, too.

Boots By the Door

I yell every time I trip over those big, clunky, smelly boots. They are always in the way, no matter where they land. But when they are gone, I miss almost breaking my legs falling over them.

I distinctly remember a Christmas not so long ago where I would have given almost anything to find those boots by my door. Muddy, stinking, dusty, and 100% in my way. I would have cried with joy.

This year, those boots will thankfully be by my door and their owner will be at our holiday table. But I know many military families will be missing a pair of boots by their doors.

Neighborhood Full of Friends

Over the last decade or so, we’ve made incredible friends, people we’ve bonded with and created deep, lasting connections. Our kids have been babies and toddlers together. We’ve celebrated weddings and promotions as a chosen family.

Right now, many of my dearest friends are scattered around the world. While we have celebrated holidays together in years past, this time we are apart.

What I want for Christmas is a neighborhood where I can live with all my best friends.

I want a place where I can step out the door and be reunited with my first best military friend from SoCal. Down the street are my favorite running buddy and her boys. Right across from me is the friend who saw me through an OCONUS pregnancy and birth.

I want to be together, with all the friends I hold dear, this Christmas.

A Way to Bottle Places

After we move, my son will likely never come back to the place he was born. He will not remember the beautiful island we currently call home. The Eisa drums won’t call to him in his soul anymore.

I want a way to bottle the places we’ve lived and loved. I want to take them with me when we move. I want to open up a bottle and be back in Okinawa. Or running along the surf in SoCal, or picking apples in the Virginia countryside.

The best thing about military life is that you move to new places often. Each move brings an opportunity for adventure and discovery.

What they don’t tell you is how much your heart breaks every time you have to move from a much-loved duty station. No one tells you that your soul will ache for sunrise over the Washington Monument on a crisp spring day. You don’t understand how much you’ll miss New Orleans jazz until you’re plopped in the middle of Oklahoma. But when you leave there, you’ll even miss the random bison who visit your backyard.

I’d love to revisit, if only for a moment, all the places we’ve lived.

What can’t-be-bought-in-the-store items are on your Christmas wish list this year?

Three Ways To Enjoy the Military Ball

By

*This is a guest post contributed by Catherine Hershey.

Military life gives us a lot of wonderful and difficult things and the yearly ball may just be at the top of both lists for some people. It could be your fairy tale night out with your partner dressed to the 9’s or it could be an awkward reminder that you don’t have friends yet in this new unit. And some people do not have a choice in their attendance. For many, it falls under the category of “Mandatory Fun”. But the common misconception here, as with many things in the military life, is that we have no choice. I believe we absolutely have a choice as to whether we enjoy the Ball or not.

  1. Get In the Appropriate Mindset: The military is difficult and requires a lot of sacrifice. The military ball is not a place you want to be thinking about how you are unhappy with your residence, your employment options as a spouse, your neighbors who smoke and make a lot of noise, the holidays and family gatherings your spouse has missed, etc. Take some time before the big day to reflect on why you joined this life, how meaningful your sacrifice is, and the part of you that have been enriched and strengthened by military life. Think about the people who do care a great deal about you and the people you are thankful to have met through military life. Intentionally focus your mind on the positive so you will be ready to participate emotionally in the ceremonial aspects of the Military Ball and celebrate with others around you.
  2. Make Peace With Your Date: Similar to the first step, it will greatly increase your enjoyment of this special night if there are no lingering resentments between you and your date. You will want to enjoy looking at him/her dressed in their best, smiling, dancing, talking to their friends, etc. So do yourself a favor and remember why you love this person so that you can look at them like they are the most stunning person in the room. If you need to, plan a coffee date before the event so you can get some quality communication in.
  3. Relieve some of the financial burden: Quick tips on this one are as follows: Don’t buy a new dress every year. There is so much turnover, there are going to be totally different people every year so cycle through them or wear the same one with different accessories for several years. Or better yet, find someone with their Ball on a different weekend and borrow their dress!
    If you don’t want to spend $$$ at the bar, but still want to have a good time, get some of your friends together to After-Party at a cheaper bar down the street.
    No matter how you count it, Military Balls cost a chunk of change, so consider setting aside $50 every month of the year for covering the expenses of your yearly fancy outing.

These sorts of events are often overlooked as something we have to do or something that causes a lot of stress every fall. But when I talk about the Military Ball with people outside the military bubble, such as my sister, I am reminded about how cool it is we get to celebrate our service members in such a special way every year. Most adults do not have an excuse to wear formal attire and enjoy a nice meal with their friends. So, take a deep breath, identify and lighten the stressful factors, and enjoy your night out!

 

 

Legalizing Marijuana and Its Impact on the Military Community

By

Should you smoke marijuana?

Marijuana is now legal in nine states for recreational use and in 30 states medical marijuana is permitted and now Canada has jumped on the bandwagon with legal cannabis. Before you light up a joint here are a few things you need to know. For service members, the answer is a resounding no. You can not use marijuana while you serve. We break it down here:

  • Marijuana is illegal under federal law, so even if you live in a state where pot is legal you can’t bring it onto a military installation. This includes your residence if you live on a military installation. If you are visiting a state with legal marijuana you can’t bring it home with you. Airports are under federal jurisdiction and while the TSA doesn’t actively search for drugs, if they see it or view it in your belongings you can be turned over to the proper authorities.
  • Military service members are subject to drug tests on a regular basis. Regulations prohibit Department of Defense personnel from unlawfully possessing, dispensing, selling, or using illicit drugs. Common courtesy would dictate if you can imbibe, but your spouse can’t you should not. It’s like eating a cupcake in front of someone who is dieting. According to an article on the National Institute on Drug Abuse website, a study found that nonsmoking participants exposed for an hour to high-THC marijuana (11.3 percent THC concentration) in an unventilated room showed positive urine assays in the hours directly following exposure. The Bottom line is if you are a service member; don’t take the risk of being around second hand smoke from marijuana. It is not worth the risk of failing a drug test.
  • Cannabis Vacation to Canada has its appeal, but remember you can’t take marijuana across the border and it will show on drug tests.
  • Public versus Private use. Most states allow use only in private. This means you can’t smoke or imbibe outside or in public places like bars or restaurants. In most cases a hotel room is considered private space, but you should verify with the hotel and also know that you are subjected to smoking laws and guidelines as well.
  • If you’re a family member that decides to partake in smoking marijuana you’ll probably wonder: What am I taking? Do your research and read labels. Cannabis is much like alcohol where there are a variety of types and potencies. You wouldn’t want to chug shots of grain alcohol your first time drinking. Certain types of cannabis will get you high while others will mellow you out. Before you light up get smart on the labels.
  • With marijuana now regulated you are unlikely to purchase an unsafe product from a licensed shop, but you need to be aware of basic safety issues. Do not imbibe and drive. Just like alcohol, moderation. Make sure you are of legal age. Do not share with minors. Abide by the regulations in your state.
  • Not a service member, but thinking about becoming a recruit? You may want to think twice before using marijuana. It could very well impact your eligibility to serve in the future.

****Disclaimer: This article is the opinion of the author and is not an endorsement of marijuana use. The goal of the article is informational.****

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.WanderWordsWine.com

Get a Jump on Holiday Packages: 2018 Deadlines for Sending Packages Around the World

By

Make sure your loved ones have the perfect presents to unwrap on Christmas morning! You’ll be in the clear when you stick to the holiday shipping guidelines for the US Postal Service.

Mark your calendars to be sure that your packages and cards arrive by December 24!

Get a Jump on Holiday Packages: 2018 Deadlines for Sending Packages Around the World

No matter where you are shipping in the continental US, it’s a good idea to have your goods on the go by December 14 for basic rate options. This includes greeting cards and regular retail ground shipping services.

For First Class and Priority Mail, you have until December 20 to get those gifts in the mail.

If you’re notorious for waiting until the very last second, the absolute last day to get your presents in the mail for the lower 48 is December 22. However, you’ll be stuck paying for Priority Mail Express to ensure that everything arrives by Christmas Eve.

For Alaska and Hawaii, your mail needs to be sent by December 20 for First Class and Priority. At the absolute latest, you can send packages Priority Mail Express on December 22.Our Guide to Sending Care Packages to Your Service Member

Send Your Gifts Overseas

Many of us are missing someone around our holiday tables. If your shipping to a loved one stationed overseas, pay close attention to shipping deadlines.

Whether you are hoping to send something from the US or to the US, it will help to stick to these hard deadlines.

Don’t forget to fill out a customs form before you ship your packages. Cards generally do not need customs forms.

Be sure to register for your free supply of shipping products specifically to send to military members overseas!

APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 093: Iraq, Afghanistan & Middle East

If you’re hoping to spread holiday cheer to a loved one in the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan, you need to have everything sent by December 4.

All other APO/FPO/DPO Addresses: Europe, Africa & Asia

For folks shipping to and from Europe, Africa, and Asia, be sure to have your packages and letters ready to go by mid-December.

Priority and First Class Mail all need to be shipped out by December 11. The absolute last day for shipping your presents, using Priority Express Military Mail, is December 16.

Address your APO/FPO/DPO packages following this format:

Mail being sent to military or diplomatic post offices follows the US standard address format.

In place of the city, put FPO, APO, or DPO based on which type of post office your mail is being sent to. For the state, use the region: AE for Europe or the Middle East, AP for Asia and the Pacific region generally, and AA for Africa.

Use this basic format:

Rank (if being sent to Active Duty troop) First Name Last Name

PSC XXX Box XXX

FPO (or APO or DPO) (Region: AP, AE, AA) Zip

Non-Military African Addresses

First Class and Priority Mail International should be posted by December 1. Priority Mail Express International items need to be mailed by December 8. For last minute packages, you’ll need to ship your gift by December 16 and use Global Express Guaranteed.

Non-Military Asian, Austrailian & New Zealand Addresses

Make sure that you have First Class and Priority International packages in the mail by December 8. Priority Express International items need to be shipped by December 15. Use Global Express Guaranteed by December 19 for guaranteed Christmas delivery. For Australia and New Zealand, you have until December 20 with Global Express Guaranteed.

Non-Military Canadian & Caribbean Addresses

Have packages going First Class or Priority International in the mail by December 8. You have until December 15 for Priority Express International items and December 20 for Global Express Guaranteed.

Non-Military Central & South American Addresses

Make sure to have First Class and Priority International packages shipped out by December 1. Priority Express International items need to be sent by December 8. Global Express Guaranteed items must be mailed by December 18.

Non-Military Mexican Addresses

Ship off your First Class and Priority Express presents and cards by December 8. You have until December 15 for Priority Express International and until December 19 for Global Express Guaranteed.

Non-Military Middle Eastern & European Addresses

Send your packages, but Priority International or First Class International Mail, by December 8. Priority Express International packages will need to be shipped by December 15 and Global Express International by December 19.

Address Your Non-Military Packages

International addresses are different than the US standard three lines: name, house number with the street, followed by city and state with the zip code.

You’ll want to address your packages and cards using the standard address system in the destination country. Consult with your gift’s recipient for specifics before you send.

Packing Gifts to Arrive Safely

You’ve spent so much time and care to select just the right gifts. It would be a shame for them to arrive damaged or broken.

For fragile non-liquid items, it is recommended that you pack them carefully. Wrap them in layers of tissue or newspaper at a bare minimum. Using bubble wrap is ideal. In a pinch, packing breakables inside of clean socks or tucked in between cushioning items might be okay.

If you are sending liquid items, wrap them carefully to prevent the container from breaking. Spills due to pressure changes are also a risk. It is advised that you place wrapped liquids inside of ziplock plastic bags.

You can also prevent leaks in many items, like lotions and bath products, with a simple plastic wrap trick. Remove the lid of the container. Place a small piece of plastic wrap over the top the now-open bottle or jar. The plastic wrap should be big enough to cover the whole opening plus spread down the sides. Once it’s covered, put the lid back on and tighten it completely.

Food and other perishables should be sent in a sealed plastic bag or hard plastic container.

Never send alcohol by USPS or via international mail. Certain countries may have restrictions on particular goods, like meat products or produce. Be sure to check with your local USPS office for specifics.

Where will you be sending presents and cards this holiday season? Share your farthest flung gift destinations in the comments!

Alternative Thanksgiving Meal Options for Troops and Veterans

By

Our troops and veterans are scattered far and wide around the country, often far from family to boot. All that distance can make the holidays awfully lonely.

There are several great out-of-the-box options for active duty troops and veterans to celebrate this Thanksgiving!

Alternative Thanksgiving Meal Options for Troops and Veterans

Your military family is ready to support you this Thanksgiving with fellowship and feasting.

On-Base Thanksgiving Banquets

Around the US and across the globe, military installations host Thanksgiving meals for thousands of service members, veterans, and their families.

If you’re in the barracks or forward deployed, head to your neighborhood chow hall. The talented chefs and dedicated personnel help to make the holidays feel more home-like with feasts fit for kings (and queens). You’ll be able to enjoy turkey, all the fixings, dessert, and camaraderie with your fellow service members.

Not deployed or in the barracks? Military installations have Thanksgiving handled for you, too!

MCCS, FSS, and MWR run restaurant facilities on installations worldwide generally prepare a Thanksgiving meal that is open to anyone with base access or on-base privileges. There is usually a very reasonable fee associated with on-base restaurant-hosted. Many are served family-style or as a giant buffet full of appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts.

Each base might have a slightly different twist on Thanksgiving, both at the chow hall and at the family buffet. Look out for regional specialties alongside your traditional favorites! In Okinawa, you might find soba soup sitting next to the stuffing. Perhaps your SoCal feast will feature some Southwestern flavors, like enchiladas or fajitas. Down in the Carolinas, smokey barbeque could be the guest of honor alongside the big turkey.

Veterans’ Group Feasts

VFW and American Legion posts often host Thanksgiving celebrations for free. You may need to be a member or a guest of a member to join the feast.

This is a great opportunity to connect with your fellow veterans and build community.

Volunteers and donations, of food or money, are welcome for these events. The general community is encouraged to support our military veterans during the holidays, even if you are not a VFW or AL member.

For information, contact your local VFW or AL post.

Other veterans’ groups near you may also offer Thanksgiving meal opportunities. Contact your local veteran service organization chapters for more information. You can find general contact information on this VSO approved list from the VA.

Host or Join a Friendsgiving

Military families have been doing Friendsgiving since before it was something cool or even called Friendsgiving.

Basically, get together with a whole bunch of your nearest and dearest friends. Divvy up the food responsibilities between all the guests. Make sure that someone is tasked with bringing plates, silverware, and drinks.

On Thanksgiving, gather together and enjoy excellent food plus great company!

It helps to be really organized when planning a Friendsgiving. Keep a running list going that details who is bringing what. Ask which dishes need a space in the oven, which can be reheated in the microwave, and which are okay as-is.

Teaming up with a neighbor or hosting at a larger community space can be crucial. You’ll get more oven space, plus extra room to enjoy throughout the day.

Have a plan for Thanksgiving events, like crafts for the kids and maybe watching the big game for the adults. It will help to keep peace and provide activities outside of the kitchen.

Adopt-a-Single Service Member

There’s always room for one more at the Thanksgiving table! Your family can help make the holidays feel more cozy and loving by extending an invitation to single troops on your local military base.

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, save space at your table for a few single service members or veterans.

Reach out to your local military base and connect with their morale program office. Or contact a specific unit and speak to the family readiness leader. These folks can help you spread the word.

Share your event date and location. Be sure to include how many seats you have available and a little about your family dynamics. As guests RSVP, ask them about their food allergies or aversions. You’d hate to dish up a dairy-filled meal to someone who honestly can’t eat it!

Stay in contact as Thanksgiving approaches. You could even invite your new friends to join other turkey day events. Plan to get together for a local turkey trot before you eat. Setting up video chats with their families back home might also be a nice way to help them feel at home. Play board games or go outside for a game of touch football.

Troops and Veterans: how have you celebrated the holidays far from home? Share your favorite tips, tricks, and memories!

Connecting Veterans to Schools

By

Every veteran has a story to tell. And our children need to hear those stories. This November, it’s important that we work on connecting veterans to schools so that our future generations know and understand the meaning of selfless service.

There are easy ways to bring stories of military service into our schools this month and throughout the school year.

Connecting Veterans to Schools

Bringing veterans and their stories into schools is just missing two key components: action and cooperation.

It’s important that teachers and schools take action to bring Veteran’s Day programming into their classrooms and schools. Worksheets and coloring pages are great, but learning about veterans is more meaningful when children can hear the stories first hand.

Local veteran’s organizations and military units can reach out to local schools, offering to send in guest speakers or provide learning opportunities. Taking this first step can lead to an ongoing relationship with schools, bridging that military/civilian divide!

How Military Units and Veteran’s Groups Can Connect with Schools

Military units — active duty, reserve or National Guard — are relatively stable even though the actual personnel might change over time. All it takes is just one person or unit reaching out to a teacher or school to build a relationship.

First, talk to your unit, base, or regional public affairs office. They will have guidance about how to connect with non-military organizations. There might already be relationships in place that you could draw on while setting up a Veteran’s Day program.

Next, contact area school districts, individuals schools, or use a personal connection at a school. Ask if the school is open to guest speakers from your base or command. Explain that your team will be sharing age-appropriate stories about military service and why they’ve chosen to serve.

Every military base should also have a School Liaison Officer (SLO). This individual, or office, should already have developed connections with on-base and local public schools. Talk with the SLO to find out the best people to talk to at the school(s). Or work together to build a Veteran’s Day program for schools.

How Schools and Teachers Can Connect with Military Veterans

It just takes one teacher with an initiative to build a great Veteran’s Day Program!

First, check with your school’s administration to learn the process to bring guest speakers to your classroom. You can also reach out to colleagues. Gauge their interest in participating in this program.

Then, connect with local military bases, units, and veteran’s groups. Try:

Outline what you are looking for, the ages this presentation would be reaching, and several ideal dates and times.

Once you have speakers on board and the go-ahead from your school leadership, set up the Veteran’s Day schedule! Make sure to include supporting activities and resources for teachers to use in their individual classrooms, too.

Get help building your own Veteran’s Day program with resources from the History Channel’s Take a Veteran to School Program.

Veteran’s Day Resources to Use in School and at Home

There are great ways to build connections to Veteran’s Day at your school or at home even if you can’t get an in-person speaker.

One great starter activity is to read an age-appropriate book with your child or students. Operation We Are Here has an excellent list of children’s picture books. The Cincinnati Library goes beyond picture books with recommendations for Veteran’s Day books from early readers to adults.

Next, you might consider reading “In Flanders Fields,” a famous poem about World War I by John McCrae. It has become connected with Veteran’s Day. Older students can dive deeper into the meaning of this poem, examining the history and symbolism behind the words. Younger children can listen to the poem and share their feelings or impressions. Another idea, for all ages, is to create art inspired by “In Flanders Fields.”

The National Education Association and the Georgia 4H program both have complete lesson plans available to teachers.

The NEA features several Veteran’s Day lesson plans aimed at elementary, middle, and high school students. Teachers, and parents or homeschooling families, can access individual lesson plans. Each lesson plan comes with directions, linked resources, and supplementary materials.

Georgia’s program has a complete packet that includes Veteran’s Day resources for teachers and students. It’s aimed at elementary and middle school students, but can be leveled up for older children. The entire document is printable. Parents could even print out just the pages they need. Or download this as a PDF ebook for on-the-go use on a tablet.

Whether you’re hosting guest speakers or DIYing an in-class lesson, it’s super important to share our veterans’ stories.

How will your local schools be celebrating Veteran’s Day this year? We’d love to hear your stories!