Our Stories
Military Housing: Can It Be Fixed?
Picture this – it’s 2007, and the first iPhone just released. Anxious to begin our next military assignment, we were on our way to a tropical paradise knowing we’d won the assignment lottery — Hawaii! Upon arrival, we looked at off-installation housing options but soon realized our Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) wasn’t enough to…
Read moreFebruary 2019 Newsletter
2018 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey The Blue Star Families annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey results — in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Institute for Veteran and Military Families — are here! With more than 10,000 respondents including service members, veterans, and their families, the #BSFSurvey received the highest response rate since its establishment…
Read moreAvoid These Money Mistakes, MilSpouse!
“Do you have a plan for the most recent pay raise – the 2.6 percent increase – that happened in January?” asked JJ Montanaro, USAA Financial Planner, in his recent Blue Star Families Networks Live! On Demand interview. Wait, what raise?! Sometimes as military family members, we miss important memos because our spouses aren’t…
Read moreWhat Would You Do If Your Service Member’s Duties Weren’t an Issue?
A question in a military spouses’ group on Facebook stopped me abruptly during a Sunday morning teatime scroll. “Would you go to a work function/trip over your child’s birthday?” I immediately thought of my own answer, which was yes. Then I wondered if I should feel guilty about it. Finally, I wondered whether there’s extra…
Read moreJanuary 2019 Newsletter
Military Spouse Wellness Summit The fourth annual Military Spouse Wellness Summit is back and, as a sponsor, we have a special code for you to get 60% off your All-Access ticket now through the end of January! Use code BSF19 when you register here. Jumpstart your new year! Are you craving delicious and less…
Read moreHere’s How One Military Spouse Saw Michelle Obama in NYC
Before I married my husband, I was very established in my career–as they say, “living my best life”–and growing as a professional and a young woman. Like many military spouses, I fell in love fast and hard. Eight months later, this big city girl was living in some town I’d never heard of, applying for…
Read moreHere’s How Blue Star Nation Supported Our Troops this Holiday Season
Throughout December, family members and friends of service members trickled into their local Starbucks stores (many being military family owned) to celebrate and honor their heroes far from home this season; a campaign made possible by Blue Star Volunteers and Neighbors. Powered by coffee and holiday cheer, our local elves (volunteers, baristas, and store managers)…
Read moreGrab a Discount on This New Military-Themed Children’s Christmas Book
#BlueStarNeighbor and author, JoAnn Sky, gave back to Blue Star Families and our #milkids this holiday season. This wonderful Neighbor donated 100 of her new books, Santa’s Dog, to the #milkids at our Stars, Stripes, and Snowflakes holiday party at Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall. Santa’s Dog is a heartwarming tale for youngsters and the young-at-heart.…
Read moreDecember 2018 Newsletter
Happy Holidays from your friends at BSF! Here’s an idea for you if Daddy or Mommy can’t make it home for the holidays… make your #milkid an Honorary Elf! PSA: Get those packages in the mail! Loved ones overseas or away from home this holiday season? Make sure their gifts make it in time. #GivingTuesday Success!…
Read moreHow Blue Star Families is Changing the Game for Military Families
“My first child was born with a life-threatening hole in her heart,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, veteran spouse and Blue Star Families CEO. “As I was looking for doctors and arranging her imminent surgery, my husband was coordinating our move to Okinawa. When she was two months, she had open-heart surgery in Boston. By the time…
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