Today’s Inspiration: Education of the Military Child (#milfam, #milchild, #military)

“Although we can talk about the past, what’s really important is the future. And when we talk about the future, there’s nothing more important than our children. They’re literally and figuratively our future, the future of our families, the future of this great nation.”
~Air Force Gen. Ralph E. “Ed” Eberhart at the Military Education Colalition (MCEC) sixth annual conference

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Did You Know: Six Flags Magic Mountain To Host Military Appreciation Day & Picnic, July 23, 2011 (@MgcMtnFanPage, #milfam, #milspouse, #military, #SOT)

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA salutes our nation’s Military with a special opportunity to enjoy all of the best thrills and entertainment for the entire family. Cost is $37 per person (all ages tickets) with children 2 years and under FREE. Normal gate price is: $54.99-Adult / $34.99-Child. Ticket includes admission & All-You-Can Eat Buffet Picnic in the Grande Oak Picnic Pavilion.

Parking not included, must present military ID at gate.

For more information contact your local Information, Tickets & Travel office or call 619-767-6000

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Do You Feel the Media Portrays the #Milfam Accurately?

We’re interested in your thoughts on how the entertainment industry portrays the military family. Do you feel there is enough focus given to military families in media? When the military family is given the spot light is it accurately portrayed? Leave your comments in the “Leave A Reply” box below.

On June 14, 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama urged producers, writers, actors and directors to highlight military families and their compelling stories in television and movies more often:

First Lady Urges Hollywood to Tell Military Family Stories
By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service
Speaking to an audience of about 500 producers, writers, actors and directors, the first lady discussed her “Joining Forces” military-support campaign and how Hollywood can play a role in her quest to stir up national support for military families.

Writer-director J.J. Abrams, who moderated the panel, kicked off the discussion by asking Obama what sparked her passion for military family support.

The first lady traced it back to her time on the campaign trail with her husband. As she met in small groups with working women, she heard voices she hadn’t heard from before – military spouses. These women — and men — talked about juggling careers and deployments, raising kids and managing moves, and dealing with finances alongside post-deployment reconnections.

“These stories took my breath away,” she said, “because they were so unfamiliar to me. And I thought, ‘Well, if I don’t know, and I’m educated and I consider myself aware, then where are we in this country? Why don’t we know about these families? Why don’t we know their struggles? Why aren’t we pushing for them?”

Obama said she vowed, if her husband got elected, to use her platform to give military families a voice, “because truly, these families are amazing.”

See full article at U.S. Department of Defense News

Tell us what you think below! Feel free to retweet or share on Facebook!

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Did You Know: St. Louis Cardinals Host Military Appreciation Games (#military, #milfam, @stcardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals are excited to host Military Appreciation Games again this summer at Busch Stadium.

These special ticket offers are exclusive for all military personnel (active, reserve and retired) as well as family and friends.

For the June 21-23 series against the Philadelphia Phillies, receive Right or Left Field Box tickets for just $20
For the June 24 game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, receive Champions Club* or Bank of America Club* tickets for just $85
For the June 26 game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, receive Legends Club* tickets for just $50
For the June 24-26 series against the Toronto Blue Jays, receive Right or Left Field Box Tickets for just $20.
For the July 4-6 series against the Cincinnati Reds, receive Right or Left Field Box tickets for just $20 or Legends Club* tickets for just $55

*All-Inclusive tickets include complimentary food
and beverage*

See the St. Louis Cardinals website for more details and to purchase tickets.

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NASCAR and Joining Forces Support Military with PSA (@NASCAR, @JoiningForces, #military, #milfam)

NASCAR.com
By Official Release
April 12, 2011 12:03 PM, EDT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launch their initiative, “Joining Forces,” to support military families Tuesday in Washington, D.C., NASCAR and Walmart have partnered to produce a public service announcement campaign recognizing the sacrifices and challenges military families face throughout the United States.

These PSAs, which will feature a number of NASCAR drivers and be shown in more than 500 Walmart locations, will highlight opportunities for NASCAR fans and Walmart customers to support military families in their local communities.

“NASCAR has a long history of supporting our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR managing director of public affairs. “We are proud to partner with Walmart to produce a PSA campaign in support of the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s call to action in support of military families.”

For the full article see NASCAR.com

To view the PSA see Whitehouse.gov

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Did You Know: Free Admission for Active Duty and Family to Museums from May 30th to Sept 5th (#MilFam, #MilSpouse, @BlueStarFamily, @NEAarts)

The Blue Star Museums Program is a partnership between Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts that offers free admission to select museums for Active Duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day May 30th, 2011 through Labor Day, September 5, 2011. Over 1,300 museums across the country are taking part in the program and there is no limit to the number of participating museums military families may visit during the designated time frame. The Active Duty member and up to five immediate family members (spouse or child of ID card holder) are eligible to receive the free admission per visit. Families of deployed service members are still eligible for the program as long as they present their military issued ID card upon arrival. For a complete list of participating museums see the NEA website.

In the inaugural year of the Blue Star Museum Program, it was reported that 300,000 military families visited museums that partnered with the program. The Blue Star Museum Initiative is hoping to exceed their number of visitors from last year bringing fine arts, science, history, and nature closer to our military personnel and their families.

See Blue Star Museums for more information.

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Today’s Inspiration: Life’s Blessings #milfam

Feeling blessed today to be part of a community of military families that spans the globe…from east coast to west coast, Japan to Europe…it’s a privilege to know all our Blue Star and Gold Star friends!

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How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Memorial Day? #military, #MilFam, #milspouse, RT Please!

How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Memorial Day? Leave a comment here, on Facebook, or respond on Twitter and we’ll publicize a list of ideas for everyone to benefit from!

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Baby Calms When He Hears Deployed Dad Read Story (#MilFam, #MilSpouse, #Military, @USO, @UnitedTReading)

The United Through Reading Program helps ease the stress of deployment for families by having deployed parents read stories on DVD for their children to watch while they are away. The program is available to all deploying military units and at select USO locations. For more information see http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/military/

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Lifeway Christian Stores Help Operation Worship Ship Bibles to Military and Familes. @OpWorship,#Miltary, #Milfam, #MilSpouse,

Lifeway Christian Stores are working with Operation Worship to distribute Bibles to our service men and women and their families. Either on-line or in one of their stores nationwide. You can choose to send your purchased Bible directly to a service member, or send it to Operation Worship for distribution to any service person. The low-cost of these Bibles makes it affordable to individuals, churches, and other organizations to reach many with the Word of God. The Association of Christian Retail has set a goal of sending 500,000 Operation Worship Bibles in 100 days!

Bibles contain the New Living Translation with devotional and other material written to help service members and their families get the most out of their Bible. The compact size is ideal to take along on deployment and the covers are designed specifically for each branch of the Armed Forces.

You can also visit Operation Worship online and compose an encouraging message to be sent in a Bible to Military Chaplains for distribution or make a donation to assist them in shipping Bibles.

For more information see Lifeway Christian Stores and Operation Worship

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