Blue Star Stories

Welcome to our blog where you'll find the stories from the lives of our Blue Star Families.

New Year, New Opportunity to Prepare for the Unexpected

December 30, 2022

For military families, the uncertainty of frequent moves, deployments, and other unexpected events can make saving for the future feel like a never-ending obstacle. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget and save money. Here are our top tips for doing just that, using the new year as a new opportunity to…

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Zanade Mann poses, sits at a desk in front of a laptop.

An Interview with Zanade Mann, DEPLOY Fellow of the New York Tri-State Area

December 22, 2022

Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion is making significant headway in its second year, with a new cohort of DEPLOY Fellows taking on initiatives in various realms. The DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Fellowship Program is one of the five focus areas of the Campaign for Inclusion, and…

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Have Yourself a Merry Holiday Season

December 21, 2022

Wow! Can you believe it’s almost Christmas already?   The holiday season is in full swing, and I am sprinting, trying to keep up. Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be a little stressful (okay, maybe a lot stressful). I will be the first to admit I feel like I’m…

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A family of eight poses together in front of a holiday backdrop.

Start the Conversation Now: Ways to Connect This Holiday

December 20, 2022

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes asking unique, engaging questions is just one of many ways we can better connect with neighbors, friends, and family. In a recent collaboration with Kohl’s, they created an innovative family health and wellness initiative, Kohl’s Healthy at Home. Along…

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DEPLOY Fellow Andrea poses in a colorful graduation gown and sashes.

Using Culture and Influence to Drive the Campaign for Inclusion

December 16, 2022

“At the age of 6, I was told to stop speaking Spanish,” shares Andrea Unzueta, San Diego DEPLOY Fellow for Blue Star Families. “They said, ‘This is the U.S., we speak English here.’ Play Now As a young, first-generation student, Andrea is no stranger to feelings of isolation. Her family immigrated from Mexico to California…

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Mickia poses in front of a palm tree

Leaning In To Military Moms’ Experience To Better the Community

December 2, 2022

Military moms hold a lot of influence, and for one of Blue Star Families’ newest recruits, they’re the reason she still stands. Play Now Mickia Freeman joins the 2022-2023 class of DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Fellows, serving the Tampa Chapter. She credits her mother and the countless…

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Appreciation for a Life in the Military

December 2, 2022

Did you know that around 1% or less of the U.S. population serves in the military? This means many people don’t understand modern military life and the challenges and opportunities associated with it. Many civilians think only of war or deployments when they think of the military. But it’s far from just that! While we…

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One Way Veteran & Military Families Can Save Big on Your Holiday Groceries at Amazon

December 1, 2022

Did you know? In a 2020 study, one in seven enlisted military families reported experiencing food insecurity. Now more than ever, with the rising cost of food and the expensive holiday season in full effect, our Blue Star Partners, like the Amazon Community Access Team, are asking how they can help those in need. Together…

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Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, poses in front of the Dog Tag Bakery table, sampling a dessert.

Celebration Serves Up New Favorites, Toasts Lifetime Friends

November 28, 2022

Can Celebration get any more magical? It’s a question fitting for a night that was put on pause for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Here are some highlights from Blue Star Celebration 2022. Leading with an Emcee VIP CNN broadcaster, Blue Star Families…

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