Blue Star Stories
The Effects of Suicide and How Blue Star Families is Working to Make a Difference
Warning: This post contains language that may be triggering for some. If you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves, please call 988. Written by Kimberly Gold, 2022-2023 Housing Insecurity DEPLOY Fellow We all have dates that have changed us. February 1st, 2012. The start of a new month. It was a…
Read moreEllyn Dunford’s Lifetime Achievement Award Win is a Victory for All Military Spouses
Meet Ellyn Dunford, spouse of the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Ret.) Gen. Joseph Dunford. At this year’s Blue Star Celebration, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for consistently making a difference in the lives of military families – decade after decade. Not only has she been right there at…
Read more11 Military Family Appreciation Month Deals & Discounts
Most Veterans and military families are intimately familiar with Veterans Day and the ensuing discounts on November 11th. But did you know November is also Military Family Appreciation Month? Every year, the president signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Month, encouraging our nation to recognize and honor American service members and their families. As…
Read moreCollective Generosity on Giving Tuesday Helps Combat Food Insecurity
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…
Read moreThe Yin and Yang of Moving for the Military
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…
Read moreAdvancing Holistic Health of Veterans & Military Families
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…
Read moreBig Or Small, Youth Service Will Shape a Better Future
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…
Read more5 Quick and Cost-Friendly Meals Military Families Will Love
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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