Posts Tagged Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Military Mom Talks About Changes, Challenges
Posted by in Family Matters on April 21, 2011
April 21, 2011
Army reservist Amy McLaughlin had a lot to handle over the course of one year. She and her husband separated, she had to move her family across country, and her son was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.
Fortunately, she said, her children have one of the traits so common among military kids: resilience.
Read about Amy’s challenges and the strength that enables her to overcome them in her article, “Changes and Challenges Create Army Strong Kids.”
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Spouse Survey Seeks Feedback
Posted by in Family Matters on August 25, 2010
Heather Forsgren Weaver, a colleague of mine at American Forces Press Service, is a regular contributor to Family Matters. Heather’s been heavily involved in this blog from the start. She edits, helps write and posts content on a daily basis.
In this blog, Heather writes about a survey of military spouses that seeks feedback on the possible repeal of the law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly.
Panel Wants Spouses’ Opinions About Repeal
by Heather Forsgren Weaver
Aug. 25, 2010
As part of a review of the implications of a possible repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, the Department of Defense is asking military spouses to weigh in.
The Defense Department mailed 150,000 surveys to military spouses just days after the deadline had passed for servicemembers to complete a survey on the subject. The survey responses, which are confidential, will be reviewed by a panel that is studying the issue for Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.
The spouse survey should take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham told the Pentagon Channel. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden wrote about the survey for American Forces Press Service in the article, “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Feedback Sought From Spouses.” Secretary Gates appointed Ham to chair the panel studying the issue.
The spouse surveys were mailed to 80,000 reserve-component and 70,000 active-duty spouses.
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Gates Thanks Spouses for Steadfast Support
Posted by carol.bowers in Family Matters on May 10, 2010
May 10, 2010
I’m always gratified to see our senior leaders acknowledging the immense sacrifice of our military spouses. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was the latest to do so when he took time out to thank military spouses during a town hall meeting May 8 at Fort Riley, Kan. Shandi Dix, from 1st Infantry Division Post, described his visit in her American Forces Press Service article, “Gates Thanks Spouses for Soldier Support.”
Gates addressed local education and health care issues, then thanked the spouses for their support before a question-and-answer session.
“Thank you for all you do for your loved ones in uniform, your families and your communities,” Gates said. “Many of you are running single parent households while your spouse is deployed or have done so in the past. Some of you have done it more than once.”
Dix highlighted some of the spouses’ questions in her article. Read the rest of this entry »
Top Military Wife Visits Sesame Street
Posted by in Family Matters on October 16, 2009
Deborah Mullen, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, takes a seat in Mr. Hooper’s store while visiting the Sesame Workshop studio in Queens, N. Y., Oct. 14, 2009. Mrs. Mullen was there to support the filming of a video aimed at helping military children and their families cope with the loss of a loved one. DoD photo by Elaine Wilson
By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
Elaine.wilson@dma.mil
Oct. 16, 2009
Yesterday, I wrote about my experiences on Sesame Street, where I attended the filming of a video aimed at helping military children deal with the loss of a loved one.
Along with meeting long-time Sesame Street favorites Elmo and Rosita, one of the highlights of my trip was the opportunity to discuss the production with Deborah Mullen, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.
Seeking a quiet place to chat, Mrs. Mullen , my co-worker and I ended up in Mr. Hooper’s store, that iconic set that serves as the backdrop to so many “Sesame Street” scenes. Perched on a lunch counter stool, Mrs. Mullen addressed everything from military family resiliency to coping with the loss of a loved one.
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Army Chief Highlights Future Family Programs
Posted by in Family Matters on October 7, 2009
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. explains future Army family programs at an Association of the U.S. Army family forum in D.C., Oct. 5, 2009. DoD photo by Elaine Wilson
By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
Elaine.Wilson@dma.mil
Oct. 7, 2009
I wrote yesterday about my experiences at the Association of the U.S. Army’s family forum Oct. 5. The session was packed with so much information for Army families that I decided to spend a few more days writing about it. Today, I’d like to share a top Army leader’s vision for the way ahead for Army families.
The audience warmly welcomed Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey to the forum. His remarks were punctuated by audience feedback, both approval and otherwise. The audience was a lively bunch that included Army spouses, family readiness group leaders, military leaders and soldiers.�
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Taking Time to Remember
Posted by Administrator in Family Matters on September 11, 2009
President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates participate in the Pentagon commemoration ceremony, Sept. 11, 2009. The event remembered the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed 59 passengers onboard hijacked American Airlines flight 77 and 125 people inside the Pentagon. DoD photo Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
By Elaine Wilson, AFPS
Sept. 11, 2009
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have become this generation’s Pearl Harbor – both were tragedies that shook our nation to its core. It’s become common to ask, “Where were you that day?” and I’ve never seen anyone lacking in a response.
The haunting images of that day – grieving family members, soot-covered rescue workers, caved-in buildings, crashed aircraft — are etched in my memory forever.
Eight years ago, I was a few months pregnant with my daughter and had decided to separate from the Air Force after four years of service. My airman husband and I were concerned about the dual-military impact on our future family. So, while using up my left-over leave, I started a new job as a writer for the San Antonio district court in early September 2001.
I have to admit, I was pretty miserable on the job. I was writing brochures and fact sheets rather than the feature stories highlighting servicemembers that I loved to do. But my bosses and co-workers were kind and I tried to adjust to a civilian lifestyle.
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Gates Asks Military Parents for Input
Posted by Administrator in Family Matters on September 9, 2009
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with soldiers and spouses to discuss various topics of concern for military families at George Washington Community Center on Fort Belvoir, Va., Sept. 8, 2009. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
Sept. 9, 2009
Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Fort Belvoir, Va., Sept. 8 to meet with military parents and learn about the issues they’re facing, particularly in regards to their children’s schooling. The visit was a great demonstration of how much defense leaders care about our military families and how they are striving to understand the issues they confront on a daily basis.
Donna Miles, a reporter for the American Forces Press Service who covered Gates’ visit, wrote the following blog for Family Matters about the meeting and the issues and concerns that were discussed:
When Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wanted to check into the state of military schoolchildren he went directly to the experts: the parents who’ve seen their kids adjust to regular moves, family separations and the stresses of deployments.
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