Blue Star Stories

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

Collective Generosity on Giving Tuesday Helps Combat Food Insecurity

November 2, 2022

This year’s #GivingTuesday campaign is an opportunity to contribute to military families facing food insecurity so they can provide nutritious meals for their families and fulfill their mission. Help us rally our community for good!   Did you know that Giving Tuesday—the annual day of giving and generosity that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday—is…

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The Yin and Yang of Moving for the Military

October 25, 2022

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Michelle! I grew up as an Air Force brat who hated moving. Later in life, I became an Army spouse for way longer than anticipated (emphasis on Army, not spouse — I love my husband dearly). Today, I’m also an Army mom. You could say I know a little…

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Advancing Holistic Health of Veterans & Military Families

October 21, 2022

According to the 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, nearly a quarter (24%) of active-duty family respondents cite “military family quality of life” as a [primary] concern, pointing to instability and inconsistency in daily life as the reason. Earlier this year, Humana Military launched Operation Family Resiliency (OFR), its inaugural cohort to support Veterans and military…

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Marine Family Receives a Warm Texas Welcome!

October 19, 2022

Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate, and more than 70% live off base in their local communities. People might not know that many military families struggle to feel connected to their new community.  Sixta and her family are no strangers to moving for the military. She and her husband, Luis, are high school sweethearts.…

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Boy Scout, Gavyn, works alongside volunteers packing boxes with collected donations.

Big Or Small, Youth Service Will Shape a Better Future

October 7, 2022

He failed when he started. That’s a key takeaway from Gavyn’s story because, coincidentally, it’s also a story of success. Feeling a call to action during the COVID-19 pandemic, this future Eagle Scout went searching for a good cause in his Ohio community. And while his initial efforts fell short, he remained steadfast in his…

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5 Quick and Cost-Friendly Meals Military Families Will Love

October 4, 2022

According to the 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, more than 10% of military family respondents reported having difficulty putting food on the table, citing lack of time and money as their top challenges when it comes to feeding their families.  That’s one reason why we’re committed to making food insecurity a thing of the past…

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3 Ways to Maximize Your National Parks Trip

October 4, 2022

If you’ve found yourself longing to catch the outdoor adventure fever going around, but you wince at the thought of enduring a 10-mile vertical ascent to that summit vista you saw on Instagram, know you’re not alone. When it comes to the great outdoors, what defines a great trip is less about recreating the experience…

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Stop and read if you or someone in your military family wears prescription eyeglasses or contacts

October 4, 2022

There’s much to learn as a military spouse when navigating this crazy and sometimes complicated life. So, let us help you out, friend. Stop what you’re doing for two seconds and read this if you or someone in your family wears prescription eyeglasses or contacts because it could save you a ton of money. Here’s…

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Dayton Chapter Director Geri Maples (center) stands, along with her husband (left) with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval (right) as he presents her with a Blue Star Welcome Week proclamation.

Why We Need New Official Government Proclamations of Military Family Support

September 23, 2022

Blue Star Welcome Week continues to gain support from leaders in communities across the country – leaders who see and recognize the challenges military and Veteran families face and encourage their constituents to support the mission. “The goal of Blue Star Welcome Week is to address the worst problems in our community – awareness of…

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