First Place: Staying Connected During Deployment

By Erin from Deployment Diatribes

… There are lots of ways to help your kids and spouse stay connected. In our family, before my husband left, he bought several Lego mini-figures and let each son select one to represent himself. Then, my husband took the mini-figures with him on deployment. He attached them to magnets and they attach to his bunk. He takes them with him sometimes and takes their picture at various spots, like this:

The Lego mini-figures a deployed dad uses to stay connected to his children.

Seeing their mini-figures in pictures from around the world really helps the boys feel close to their dad while he is deployed. I print out pictures for the boys and they hang them by their beds, take them into school to share in their classes, and carry them around the house.

Second Place: An American in Japan

By Wife on the Roller Coaster

… Other than having to apologize for our large furniture, the move was painless. I learned in my 2-week indoctrination class that tipping is considered an insult in Japan. But I also learned through word of mouth that the Japanese will never take offense when offered a gift of American pizza and beer. After accepting my on-base food court offerings with a bow, they piled into their now barren truck and drove away, leaving me alone in this newly Americanized Japanese home.

Third Place: A Different Kind of Family

By Ashley S. Brantley

… Being a military wife is an all the time occupation.

It’s only with another wife that I can talk about the fact that my husband wants to go to war and that I also want it for him. Civilians don’t understand that need that they have to go down range with their guys. They also have a hard time understanding how quickly you are able to bond with those around you.

You can read the full essays of each winner at MilitaryBases.com “You Are the Expert Writing Contest” and also find other submissions.

Photo courtesy of United States American Flags.com.

The following letter was written by the wife to her husband, a Georgia National Guardsman preparing to deploy.

However, it’s significance reaches well beyond her family.

Jennifer Chaloux’s letter to her husband, Spc. Matthew Chalou was sent to me by another military wife a day after her husband deployed for a fifth time in their six years of marriage.

Jennifer’s Letter

It was published in Stars and Stripes February 3, 2010 for her husband who was deploying to Afghanistan for a year.

The man you share your life with is leaving, and there is no guarantee he will come home. Days fly by quicker than you have ever known. They are consumed with nonstop picture and video-taking, hugs, kisses and sighs because reality is too close. We try to finish projects around the house and get a quick lesson on using power tools.

It’s days on end trying not to cry too hard so you don’t make him feel bad … laying your head on his chest trying to memorize the sound of his heartbeat, the way he holds you, kisses you on the head, his laughter and his cologne. Holding his hand and not wanting to let go, not even for a second. A million kisses and hugs. Saying I love you 50 times a day and still questioning whether you have said it enough.

The letter goes on describing her feelings and thoughts that are shared by many wives, parents, children and friends for their deployed loved ones.

Jennifer ends her letter by asking that all families never forget and “support our troops” by displaying the American flag.

You can read Jennifer’s full letter on the Stars and Stripes website.

Here’s a close-up of the tank, a leftover from US Navy training exercises that used the tank for target practice. After complaints from locals on Culebra, the Navy moved to the nearby island of Vieques, but the tank remained. Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti.com.

From the seas to the desert, below is a photo taken in Kuwait.

This tank is still intact but is far from being in good shape. The commander’s MG, the main gun, the tracks and road wheels are still present, but neglect and the desert elements have taken their toll. Perhaps it was abandoned, or simply broke down. Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti.com.

Check out the online article written by Simone Preuss which includes 34 photos of tanks in varying conditions of rust and decay.

WWII tank graveyard in overgrowth near an abandoned Russian military base. Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti.com.

You can view all the photos, taken by a variety of different photographers, HERE.

A Soldier aims an XM25 weapon system at Aberdeen Test Center, Md. Five XM25s are being used now in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Army.mil.

The Army Times offers insights into who will feel the biggest impact from the budget-driven drawdown scheduled to begin March 1 such as anyone who can’t pass the PT test, physical fitness test or “terminal” NCOs.

These are the nine areas Army Times staff writers Jim Tice and Lance M. Bacon say to watch:

1. Enlisted Tenure Rules – soldiers must get promoted within a shorter period of time to be retained.
2. Fewer Enlisted Promotions – a 6 percent reduction is expected.
3. New Rules for NCOs - increases in service obligations.
4. Promotions for Sergeant, Staff Sergeant – 40 percent of the military education points must be NCOES achievements.
5. Early Outs for Enlisted – the details still to be resolved.
6. Tougher Officer Promotions – percentages to return to pre-war levels.
7. Passed Over Officers – selected continuation will be adjusted but remain.
8. Getting Files in Order – update photos, review records, know when your board convenes.
9. Kick Out the “Dirtbags” - soldiers with a patterns of misconduct will not be retained.

To get full details, you can read the Army Times article HERE.

The U-28A, seen in this file photo, is a single engine, manned fixed wing aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The casualties from Hurlburt Field, Florida include an Air Force pilot on his seventh deployment, another pilot on his fifth deployment, a lieutenant and an airman both on their third deployment.

The crew was killed when their U-28A crashed returning from a mission in the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo.  He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
• Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga.  He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
• 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore.  He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
• Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.  He was assigned to the 25th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

You can read the media release from Air Force Special Operations Command HERE.

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Active Navy Seals Sonny, Dave, Mikey, Duncan, Vano, Ray, Ajay and Rourke attend the New York premiere of Relativity Media's "Act Of Valor" at Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on February 9, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Relativity Media) 2012 Getty Images

“I can not watch modern warfare movies as a Blue Star parent. It’s too hard,” wrote Claire, a Blue Star Mom, about the new movie “Act of Valor.” Claire contributes to the You Served Spouse &  Family blog.

Claire shared her personal fear that she might fall apart in the movie theater, but she set up a “guys night out” for others in her family to see the film that features active duty U.S. Navy SEALS portraying characters. A portion of Claire’s blog entry:

One part of me really wants to watch it out of sheer love and respect for the Heroes in it and for the story they are sharing. I think listening to the stories of our Veterans is one of way of showing them love and respect.

So, for the time being I wish all Act of Valor movie goers on Friday and beyond a thought provoking, respect gaining, and altogether wonderful time watching the story of real Heroes! I can’t wait to hear all about it. In the meantime this Blue Star mom will return to her position as prayer and morale support!

Three VA Administrations

It’s clearly written broken down by the Department, the three separate administrations: Veterans Health, Veterans Benefits and National Cemetery Administration.

VA Medical Centers

There’s also a geographic listing of all VA Medical Centers. The directory is set up so you can check which location has an active Twitter account or blog. All appear to have their own Facebook page. You can click on the social media icon for that location and be taken directly the source.

Returning Service Members

And for OEF/OIF/OND Veterans (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn) there’s a VA website to locate support for returning service members  including links for military families, National Guard and Reservists and active duty.

Springfield, Virginia, USA - June 10, 2011: Hiring Our Heroes veterans jobs fair for wounded warriors. Photo by Ian Wagreich / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Despite a dropping unemployment rate, the jobless rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, National Guard and Reservists remains higher than the national average. But, businesses, community leaders and elected officials are working to bring down the unemployment rate among veterans.

Hiring Our Heroes is a national program created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that brings together veterans looking for a job and military friendly employers. In its first year, 100 Veterans job fairs were sponsored. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced late last week that it plans to expand and host 400 career fairs for Veterans in the coming year.

Several local chambers in the Tampa Bay area and Congressman Gus Bilirakis office are hosting a Hiring Our Heroes job fair Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bayanihan Arts and Events Center, 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, in Tampa.

About 60 employers are expected to attend the career fair which is open to veterans, reservists, national guard and military spouses.

Participants are asked to register by Monday (20 Feb. 2012) online HERE.

Curt Lashley stands in wait of the escort. He brought several "Thank You" signs customized with Cpl. Nicholson's name and placed them along the Bayshore median.

It is a gray, cloud shrouded day in Tampa. The wind is brisk and rain intermittent. Yet, the weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those wanting to wish Marine Cpl. Mike Nicholson home.

Dozens of Patriot Riders as well as members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Tampa Police Department.

As Kathy Alberts put it,”He has put up with an awful lot, the least I can do is put up with a little rain.”

The van with Cpl. Nicholson approaches the intersection at South Boulevard where about a dozen folks came out to wave or hold a flag high as he passed.

There were so many participants it took about two minutes for the entire escort to pass on its way to a welcome home reception at Christ the King Church in South Tampa.

A father and son who came out to Bayshore to honor Cpl. Nicholson.

Cpl. Mike Nicholson and family Nov. 2011. Photo courtesy of his website.

Sunday (19 Feb. 2012), bagpipers, an honor guard and flag waving friends, airport employees and community supporters will greet Marine Corporal Mike Nicholson at Tampa International Airport.

The community is encouraged to join the welcome the  wounded Marine at the Airside F shuttle or along Bayshore Boulevard.

Cpl. Nicholson, 22, is the son of John Nicholson, a 13 year employee at TIA. The young Marine lost both legs and his left arm while on combat foot patrol in Afghanistan in July when a hidden explosive went off. He has endured 23 surgeries, but is making an extraordinary recovery, learning to walk again with the help of prosthetics.

There’s a website dedicated to Cpl. Nicholson journey and recovery. It includes photos of his progress and journal entries from family.

Cpl. Nicholson practicing with his new prosthetics.

Welcoming him home will be a motorcade that includes the Patriot Guard Riders, Tampa police officers and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies which will lead Cpl. Nicholson from the airport, down Bayshore Boulevard and then to Christ the King Church for a ceremony.

Architect Richard Hartmann told the Tampa Tribune, Nicholson requested the drive down Tampa’s waterfront roadway that links downtown to MacDill Air Force Base:

Nicholson had one wish about his homecoming.

“He wanted to ride down Bayshore Boulevard,” Hartmann said.

The motorcade will travel from Tampa International Airport to downtown, south on Ashley Drive, right on Brorein Street, left on Bayshore Boulevard, right on Bay to Bay Boulevard, right on Church Avenue and on to the pavilion at Christ the King.

His flight is scheduled to arrive Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1:45 p.m. in the main terminal near the Airside F shuttle.

The welcome home ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Christ the King Church pavilion, on Church Street near South Dale Mabry Highway.

Cpl. Nicholson participating in a four day Miami to Key West Cycling Challenge sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project.