Coast Guard Family Month: Letters from home
“Mail call” is a sweet phrase to hear when you are deep in the throes of an intense eight-week indoctrination. In today’s world, where technology enables you to connect with loved ones in an instant, it’s hard to imagine a time when hand written letters were the primary source used to share news, check on the well being of another or simply say ‘I love you” to people far away. The hand written letter is an antiquated correspondence that has been largely rendered obsolete by the existence of instant communication. There is, however, a small contingent of the younger population who now become giddy at the sight of a mail truck since letters are the only form of connection and comfort with family and friends outside the walls of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May.
From the Homefront: Thanksgiving recipes and tips from the experts
Thanksgiving; the time of year when stretchy pants make the best dinner pants! Next week at this time, food will be on everyone’s minds and plates! Not sure of your own cooking abilities for this year’s feast? Well never fear, Coast Guard food service specialists share some tips for feeding a large crowd! And if you haven’t planned your own menu yet, make sure to check out the recipes included in this post if you want to take your culinary skills to the next level.
General Messages Weekly Round-up
This week’s General Messages Weekly Round-up highlights the Human Capital Strategy and its changes to officer and enlisted evaluations, regular-to-reserve commission appointment panel, updated dismissal and closure procedures for employees, solicitation for the Boat Forces Advisory Council. Read the full post to find out more.
Coast Guard Family Month: The Honor Guard’s creed; a commitment to servicemembers and their families
The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard has a unique duty to represent the Commandant, the Military District of Washington and the United States Coast Guard through ceremonial operations held before world leaders and dignitaries. But they also have the distinct honor to help ensure that families have a special moment to remember their loved ones’ service to their country. This includes providing military honors for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Continue to the post to read one Honor Guardsman’s thoughts on what it means to be part of such an humbling event.
CG-SUPRT: Here to help you quit smoking
According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet more than 40 million Americans still smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products. However, more than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year. Smokers are encouraged to use the Great American Smokeout on November 17, 2016 to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards achieving a healthier life and reducing cancer risk for themselves, their families, and their fellow Coasties!
Coast Guard Family Month: Special Needs Program helps real life heroes
Parenting has its challenges, but on top of that, parents of children with special needs have some extra challenges. The need for specialized doctors and to be assigned in an area close to family for support are just a couple of those. Brittany Joseph, Coast Guardsman and single mom to a daughter with special needs, wants others to know they are not alone if they have a child with special needs. She discusses how the Coast Guard’s Special Needs Program has allowed her to be the best mom and servicemember that she can be. The Coast Guard’s Special Needs Program provides a comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to community support, housing, medical, educational, and personnel services for Coast Guard families with special needs. Read the full post to learn more about the Joseph family and the Coast Guard’s Special Needs Program.
From the Homefront: Being away from family during the holidays
If you are a member of a military family, then you probably know what it is like to spend holidays away from your family. It can be difficult and potentially sad when you aren’t able to celebrate the festivities with family, but there are ways to make new traditions and to include your family even if they aren’t nearby! As we head into November, and the holidays are just on the horizon, Coast Guard families offer tips on how they have made it a little easier to celebrate when we are far from our loved ones.
National Adoption Month 2016: Supporting Older Youth Adoption
November is National Adoption Month, an initiative uniting partnerships between federal, state and local agencies. There are thousands of older youth currently in foster care waiting for adoption. It has become an annual tradition to highlight some remarkable Coast Guard families who have opened their hearts and homes to adopt a child or in several instances, multiple children. All of these families took advantage of the resources and benefits available to Coast Guard members interested in adoption. Read the post to learn more about National Adoption Month and the benefits available to military members who adopt.
Coast Guard Family Month: Our family is our strength
November will focus on Coast Guard families as there are three national observances recognized this month; National Military Family Month, National Adoption Month, and Native American Heritage Month. Additionally, it is the start of the holiday season with Thanksgiving recognized towards the end of the month. In recognition of these observances and the upcoming holiday, we are dedicating November to our families. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Steve Cantrell, and his wife Janet, ombudsman-at-large, kick off the first post of the series. Stay tuned for more blogs this month about who is a part of the larger Coast Guard family and how the service takes care of Coast Guard families.
Paratus Report, Episode 14
The newest episode of the Coast Guard Paratus Report is now live! This month is dedicated to Coast Guard families. Ombudsman-at-Large, Mrs. Janet Cantrell, discusses the importance of the ombudsman program and other resources available to help support our Coast Guard families. There are numerous benefits and programs available to our Coast Guard families, like the Adoption Reimbursement Program, Spouse Employment Program, Child Care Program, and Special Needs Program, just to name a few. You will also learn how to make a delicious dessert for your Thanksgiving meal – it’s all on this episode of the Paratus Report!
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