Celebration 2023 Highlights Relationships Building a Stronger Community
We have so much to celebrate, and we certainly did during Celebration 2023! Blue Star Celebration, an annual event that honors Americans who are doing their part to preserve our All-Volunteer Force’s strength and viability by supporting our military families, was held October 26, 2023, at the Great Hall of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.…
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Guardians of Our Troops: Addressing Lethal Means in the Military Community
Our military community is as vast and varied as it is tenacious. Yet, despite their resilience, the people of this community have a higher risk of dying by suicide than their civilian counterparts. . Recognizing the gravity of these numbers underscores the pivotal role caregivers play, especially concerning lethal means safety. Empowering the Nation Through…
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Your Ultimate October Guide for Military Families on the Move
Moving as a military family can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. While the fall season is just beginning, we know firsthand the stress and upheaval that can come with frequent relocations. You’re not alone. According to the Department of Defense, around 600,000 families pack up and settle into new neighborhoods each…
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In Peers We Trust: An Effective Approach to Combatting Veteran Suicide
By: Lindsay Knight The suicide rate among Veterans is a national tragedy. In 2022, an estimated 17 Veterans died by suicide every day. This is a rate that is more than twice the national average. There are many factors that contribute to Veteran suicide, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and substance…
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Blue Star Families Launches New Campaign — Do Your Part: For Military Families & The Common Defense
Yesterday, Blue Star Families began rolling out its new “Do Your Part” campaign to create a national coalition supported by Craig Newmark and craig newmark philanthropies. The multi-year campaign aims to activate national and community-level responses to address pressing issues faced by military families and our common defense. The campaign launch started with a Capitol…
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New duty station? Your identity and finances could be at risk. Protect your family with Aura.
As you settle into your new home and gear up for the new school year, those of you who recently PCS’d or are still in the process of doing so should review Aura’s top five tips for keeping your family safe from cybercrime and online theft during a move.
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Libraries — A Key Resource for Military Families on the Move
Libraries are particularly well-suited to welcome our military families. While many continue to host family favorite events like children’s story times, they have also evolved over the years to provide enhanced resources and opportunities such as outdoor exploring packs available for check-out or membership access for local attractions.
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Shattering the Stigma: Mental Health Conversations We Owe Our Veterans
By: Kali Hoffman It’s an unfortunate reality that the bravest among us, our veterans and active service members, often wage a silent war against mental health issues. This fight, unlike their outward battles, is invisible, isolating, and tragically lethal at times. The stark rise in suicide rates within our military community is a sobering reminder…
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Addressing the Mental Health Crisis among LGBTQIA+ Youth with Military-Connected Parents
The spectrum of struggles encountered by LGBTQIA+ youth in military families remains largely unexplored, residing in the peripheries of common public consciousness. Nevertheless, these challenges are authentic, multilayered, and demand our immediate attention. Blue Star Families, via the Combat the Silence and research initiatives, acknowledges this concealed burden and pioneers innovative strategies to address it.…
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