U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Tom Jones

Each generation of Americans witness, and some personally experience, “a date which will live in infamy.” These specific moments are etched in our minds and in the history of our country. They are periods of time recalled in an instant, by some more vividly than others. Where we were, what we were doing, what we were feeling — these powerful shared experiences bond each generation with the next.

Generations were witness to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s life, and the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Never forgotten, always remembered.

	DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin J. Steinberg

Cmdr. Sarah Arnold is a physician trained in family medicine and preventive medicine. She served in the Navy for 14 years and completed two tours in Iraq. Five years ago, she lost her friend to suicide and was compelled to write about it, in part because she was the last person to see her colleague and friend before she died and also for her own healing.

Two police officers stood at my front door. As I invited them in, they asked if I knew the whereabouts of my friend Dawn (name changed) because she was missing from the hospital. Dawn, a Navy nurse, and I, a Navy doctor, at the time, worked together. We went our separate ways, as we all do in the Navy after a tour is over. I was now in a residency program, and she was stationed at another clinic. That’s why I was surprised to see her one day at the hospital where I was working.

	A Backpack Journalist Hannah Rauhut poses with retired Sgt. Maj. Sam Rhodes, founder of Wounded Warrior Horsemanship program. (Courtesy photo)

Military kid Hannah Rauhut was given an assignment: create a multimedia presentation about a topic that was important to her. While some 13-year-old students might use the opportunity to discuss anything on their minds (my own “groundbreaking” middle school presentation addressed what brand of chocolate chips make for a tastier cookie), Rauhut had a more passionate approach — educate her peers on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Her presentation included facts, a video she made of the local Wounded Warrior Horsemanship program and a live interview with founder retired Sgt. Maj. Sam Rhodes on coping with PTSD. Not only did Rauhut get a perfect score and gratitude from her enlightened classmates, she’s now raising awareness nationwide as a journalist for A Backpack Journalist, a program that teaches military youth about resilience through creative expression. I spoke with Rauhut about the significance of raising awareness of PTSD, especially for youth.

	Jeremy Hilton, the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year, with his wife, Air Force Lt. Col. Renae Hilton, and their children, Jack and Kate. (Photo courtesy of Military Spouse Magazine)

You might call Jeremy Hilton the ultimate juggler. After Military Spouse Magazine presented him with the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year award — the first presented to a male — he’s balanced advocating for military families impacted by disabilities with being a full-time dad to his children Kate, 9, and Jack, 2, while his wife, Lt. Col. Renae Hilton, serves on active duty in the Air Force. Hilton retired from the Navy nine years ago to care for his daughter when she was diagnosed with a condition that caused significant brain damage. Yet despite these challenges, Hilton keeps resilient by recognizing the important role he has in serving our nation by being a military spouse and dad.

With Father’s Day approaching, we asked Hilton how he copes with the tough transitions of military life and reaches out to other military spouses — some just like him.

How has your life changed since receiving the Military Spouse of the Year Award?

This award opens a lot of opportunities — it gives you that extra bit of “oomph” to make people listen to your issues. I’ve recently met [retired] Navy Adm. Mike Mullen [former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] at an American Red Cross event. When I gave him my card he said, “Hmmm … tell me about that.” Being a guy with this award is unique enough for people to really open up to you.

	Soldiers in vintage uniforms stand at attention at an Army birthday recognition ceremony at Fort Stewart, Ga., last year. (Photo by Denise Etheridge courtesy of Bryan County News)

Two hundred and thirty-seven years ago today, the Continental Congress authorized 10 companies of riflemen, what we know today as the U.S. Army Infantry, to serve the United Colonies thereby establishing the U.S. Army. Today is an opportunity to celebrate and honor the history of our nation and the steadfast service of the men and women who proudly wear the Army uniform and those who serve alongside them. On behalf of all of us at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, I would like to wish the U.S. Army a Happy 237th Birthday.

In honor of today’s celebration and our nation’s Soldiers and their families, I encourage everyone to share a birthday message and words of support in the comments section of this blog or on our Facebook page. To learn more about the Army and the history of the day, please visit the Army Birthday website.