Feb. 5, 2010

Military children often are referred to as unsung heroes. With grace and resilience, they endure unique challenges including frequent moves, new schools and the stress of a loved one’s deployments.

While their sacrifices take place mostly behind the scenes, many organizations are working to bring these children into the spotlight.

I read today about a special award for military children, ages 8 to 18, offered through Operation Homefront and the Lockheed Martin Corp. People can submit nominations for the 2010 Lockheed Martin Military Child Award through Feb. 25, an Operation Homefront release said.

The top 20 nominations will be posted for public voting beginning March 1. This voting will be a factor in determining the winner, who will be announced March 16, the release said. The winner will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for a $5,000 award and recognition ceremony.  

Anyone can nominate a child, but the nominee must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System.

“The sons and daughters of America’s servicemembers learn what patriotism is at a very young age,” said Jim Knotts, Operation Homefront’s chief operating officer, in the release. “Children in military families understand sacrifice and live with the concept of service. This is what the Military Child Award honors.”

To nominate a child, go to https://eballot.votenet.com/operationhomefront/register, to http://www.operationhomefront.net or http://www.homefrontonline.com. 

To read about last year’s winner, read the American Forces Press Service article: “Operation Homefront Names First Military Child Award Winner.”

By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
Feb. 4, 2010
elaine.wilson@dma.mil

A tough economy and struggling job market have affected many Americans where it hurts most: their wallets.

I know I’ve watched my bank account dwindle in the wake of sky-high child care costs, pricey food and gas, and increasing health-care costs.

So, whenever I hear about a great bargain or free program, it catches my eye. I recently learned about a free offer for military families, courtesy of the Defense Department. Through Military OneSource, military families are able to electronically file their taxes for free using the H&R Block at Home program.

The program is open to active duty, Guard and Reserve, regardless of activation status, spouses, dependent children, and family members standing in for a deployed servicemember.

Through the program, you can e-file up to three state resident returns for each federal return.

I hope our military families, who sacrifice so much year-round, take advantage of this free offer. Just remember, to avoid incurring charges, file through Military OneSource, and not directly through H&R Block.

For tax assistance, filers can call a Military OneSource tax consultant from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, seven days a week, at 800-730-3802. Or, you can visit your nearest military legal assistance office.

For more on this free program, read my American Forces Press Service article: “Military OneSource Offers Free Tax Filing” or visit: Military OneSource Tax Filing Services

Feb. 3, 2010

Many studies conducted today reveal the impact of multiple deployments on our military spouses and children. Some point to a raised rate of stress and behavioral issues in children and, in one study, an increased use of mental-health services among Army wives.

That’s why a recent Army study stood out to me. The study looked at the effects of multiple deployments on adolescents, and its findings captured the incredible resilience of military children. The study is detailed in an Army News Service article, “Study Reveals Patriotic, Active Kids Suffer Less Deployment Stress” written by Master Sgt. Doug Sample.
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By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
Feb. 2, 2010
elaine.wilson@dma.mil

I was impressed by the money President Barack Obama set aside for Defense Department schools in his 2011 budget request.

If Congress agrees, the Department of Defense Education Activity  will receive $439 million to replace or renovate 10 of its schools worldwide.

I spoke with an education activity official earlier today who said he was “ecstatic” by the request.

“The budget request demonstrates that this administration is fully behind education and very supportive of our military dependents,” said Kevin Kelly, the activity’s associate director for financial and business operations. “They understand the needs of the military – if we care for the families, folks will be able to get the job done.”

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Feb. 1, 2010

Guest blogger Isabel Hodge is a family support program manager for the Pentagon’s Office of Military Community and Family Policy as well as a 21-year military spouse. Her husband, Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bruce Hodge, has been deployed in Iraq since January 2009.

I asked Isabel to contribute to Family Matters occasionally and share her experiences as a military spouse and mother of three, including a special-needs teenager. In today’s entry, Isabel writes about the importance of being prepared for emergencies, a topic that takes on even more significance in the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake.

 By Isabel Hodge

It was the weekend before Christmas when the city we live in got buried under record amounts of snow. I remember I left work a little early to avoid driving in the snow and dashed over to the grocery store to stock up on necessities, and then stopped by the shoe store to grab their last two pairs of snow boots for the boys. (They’re growing like weeds but hopefully the boots will last them a couple of years at least!)

I called my Dad to find out what I needed to do to prepare for the “big one.” I wasn’t able to reach him on his cell phone. I started my list. Since I have a personal emergency preparedness plan, I knew I had candles, flashlights, toilet paper, chocolate and all the other crucial things you need when you might lose power and are snowed in — oh yeah, and a snow shovel!
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First Lady Michelle Obama outlines military family support measures in the fiscal year 2011 budget request to members of the Joint Armed Forces Officers Wives Club during its annual luncheon, Jan. 26, 2010, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. DoD photo by Donna Miles

Jan. 27, 2010

I wanted to share some exciting news with you. Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama told the Joint Armed Forces Officers’ Wives Club annual luncheon that President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget request calls for a record $8.8 billion for military family support programs.

Donna Miles of the American Forces Press Service was there. The request represents a 3 percent increase over current funding, Miles wrote in an AFPS article, “First Lady Announces Family Program Budget Boost.”

Mrs. Obama emphasized the challenges military children face, Miles wrote:

“We cannot forget that military kids also serve in their own special way,” Mrs. Obama said. “They’re just like any other child in this country – except their lives are turned upside-down every time their mom or dad is gone halfway around the world, risking their lives so that all our children can enjoy the freedoms of our democracy.”
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Retired Army Maj. Gen. Bruce Scott, left, and his wife, Mary. All six of the Scott children are in the military. The family is featured in an American Forces Press Service Web special, Family Tradition. DoD photo by Elaine Wilson

By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
elaine.wilson@dma.mil
Jan. 26, 2010

My kids are young, but I still often think about their future. I correct them, try to lead by example and hope that by doing so, I’m steering them on the right path toward a healthy and successful adult life.

For a helping hand, I often look to other moms who have a good track record in the parenting department. And, a few months ago, I found my inspiration: Mary Scott.

Mary is a mother of six and the wife of retired Army Maj. Gen. Bruce Scott. Over the course of the general’s 30-year military career, the Scott family moved more than 20 times across the country and world, with all six kids in tow.
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