Blue Star Stories
Our Blog: Blue Star Stories
Welcome to our blog where you'll find the stories from the lives of our Blue Star Families.
Keep Driving Change: Participate in the 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey
Picture this: you’re a lower-enlisted military family who just received a 14.5% pay increase. Your Basic Needs Allowance has also seen an increase, meaning that your family will no longer…
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More Than Words: How Starbucks Coffee Company Continues to Show Up for Those Who Serve, Veterans and Their Families
Military Appreciation Month is a time when gratitude is expressed in many ways — but some companies go beyond gestures, showing up authentically and consistently for veterans, service members, and…
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Designing a Military Appreciation Planter with The Home Depot
This spring, transform your front porch into a patriotic tribute and support Blue Star Families in the process. We partnered with Haley Weaver, military spouse and Head of Military Relations…
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Bilingual Talent Summer 2025: Career Growth & Community for all Military Spouses
Blue Star Careers is proud to kick off another year of intentional programming for bilingual military spouses, with a renewed focus on continuous career development, networking, and support for 2025…
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Different, Not Less: Raising Neurodiverse Military Kids
I’ve always found it rather fitting that the Month of the Military Child and Autism Awareness Month both fall in April. It’s a reminder of the importance of recognizing, supporting,…
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Out of My Comfort Zone: A Lesson in Growth and Gratitude for Women’s History Month
Have you ever been placed out of your comfort zone in a way that helped you grow? I had this profound experience in 2019 while attending the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS) — an event that completely shifted my perspective. I had the honor of presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to Brigadier General (Ret.) Wilma Vaught — a true legend. She was the first woman to deploy with an Air Force bomber unit and the first woman from the comptroller field to reach the rank of brigadier general.
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How Civilians Can Step Up to Support Military Families Beyond “Thank You”
Supporting military families goes beyond a simple ‘thank you for your service.’ It’s about understanding the challenges we face and offering help in meaningful ways. The emotional strain of long deployments, the constant uprooting of our lives, and the isolation that often came with these are rarely fully understood or addressed. However, our civilian supporters have the power to change this.
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No One Should Face It Alone: The Vital Role of Support Networks in Military Mental Health
Resilience is a valuable skill that the military community can learn to more easily adapt to the many changes and challenges that military life throws at them. However, it’s not always enough. Despite being encouraged to “be resilient,” roughly 60-70% of service members struggle to reach out for help when they need it.
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When Blue Star Connect Outdoors and Blue Star Families Outposts Combine Forces: Transforming Support for Military Families
Military families navigate unique challenges, from frequent relocations to extended separations. These realities often lead to feelings of isolation and disconnect. However, through the combined efforts of Blue Star Connect Outdoors (BSCO) and Blue Star Families Outposts, these families gain access to transformative opportunities that build resilience, foster community, and connect them with the rejuvenating power of the great outdoors.
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