Public Service Patriots Honored for Supporting Military Families

The National Military Family Association (NMFA) was pleased to honor the recipients of the 2008 NMFA Support of Military Families Award at a Capitol Hill reception. These awards are presented to outstanding policy makers and public servants who have shown exceptional support of military families. This year’s recipients were: The Honorable Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense; Ms. Leslye Arsht, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy; Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO, 4th), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA, 4th); and Ms. Debra Wada, professional staff member of the House Armed Services Committee. <<more>>
 

TRICARE Urges Beneficiaries to Prepare for Hurricane Season Many military service members and retirees live in areas that may be in the path of Tropical Storm Gustav. Because medical help may not be immediately available during and after a tropical storm or hurricane, TRICARE wants its millions of beneficiaries in those areas to be prepared in advance, by packing Health-related items in a waterproof emergency kit, and keep them handy in case of an evacuation. These items should include: Copies of each family member's uniformed services ID card. A list of other important phone numbers, including the regional contractor, prescription services and Medicare. A list of each family member's prescription medications and their doses, in case they need to be replaced. In addition to many resources on its website, click here to access the TRICARE Storm Alert page.

Air Force Family Named NMFA Family of the Year “It is challenging to balance work, family and community involvement, but we try to intertwine the kids in everything we do.  Sometimes our four kids are active participants such as walking in [the] Relay for Life, and other times they are along for the ride. We consider it a way to give back to the community and create fun family memories.  It is rare that we do an activity without the whole family involved.”— Alex Gazzaway Find out more about the NMFA Family Award  or nominate a family today.

Record Number of Military Spouses Head Back to School with NMFA Scholarships The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is proud to announce the nearly 400 recipients of its 2008 Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program. This number represents a dramatic increase over previous years, thanks to new partnerships with the Fisher House Foundation and Health Net Federal Services, who helped meet the increasing demand of military spouses for education benefits. In addition, the new Folds of Honor Foundation provided generous scholarship funding for 180 spouses of military service members disabled or killed in the line of duty during the Global War on Terror. <<more>>

TRICARE Coverage for College Students Before sending a son or daughter off to college, it is important for military families to review their child’s health care options because some TRICARE options will work better than others. Choosing the best health care option depends mainly on where the school is located and the student’s transportation options at the school. For example, TRICARE Prime is only offered in designated Prime Service Areas. Military families should call their regional TRICARE contractor to find out if their child’s college is in one of these designated areas. If the school is in a Prime Service Area, but not where the family is registered, then a split enrollment under TRICARE Prime would be the best option <<more>>