Foot Soldiers ... Yeah ... How Do You Feel? ... I Feel Great

The "I Am A Foot Soldier" Football Camp, at Fort Bragg, and was a great experience for those that attended. For four hard, hot,rewarding days in late June, football players of all ages showed up to mentor and learn. The camp teaches football fundamentals, as well as stresses the importance or education, stewardship, and putting your best foot forward. I look forward to all of the Foot Soldiers returning next year! Volunteers are needed. You can contact Mike Minter or The Sports and Fitness on Fort Bragg, next summer.

I will work on some more pictures soon.

Chaplain's Marriage Retreat in Myrtle Beach

This past weekend we attended a Chaplain's Marriage Retreat, complete with free Waterpark and activities and daycare for our children! Myrtle Beach was awesome, and a great short break from the daily grind! The Chaplain touched on how men and women process information differenly and how personalities affect the way we operate on a daily basis.

We went to the Wild Water and Wheels then to the beach. Everyone had a blast! Big slides, wave pool, adult lounge pool, kiddie section, and more! We ate at Mango's Restaurant and it was great. The waiter brought a special birthday treat for our daughter, request of friends!

The next day, we went to Ripley's Aquarium. The military discount there is Unbelievable!! It was $19.98 for 4 of us and two programs! BELIEVE it or NOT!! Then a late lunch at Jimmy Buffet's, Cheesburger in Paradise! Awesome burgers!! And a bonus of watching the World Soccer game!

Promoting the Military Spouse and Family on Ricki Lake

I was invited to skype into Ricki Lake's new show spotlighting the Military Spouse and Family, and their importance. I look forward to seeing the show debut, and I hope this is just one more step for society understanding the differences and similarities that Military and Civilian families share so we can become a stronger society as a whole.

Teaching Our Children By Example

My 13 year old and I volunteered 8 1/2 hours at the Fort Bragg 4th of July Festival for the BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) Tent. We helped sell candy creations (really cool candy sand that you layer to make a design in a test tube), and glow necklaces so people could add their own patriotic spark! We literally closed the place down, as the weather rushed in, bringing wind and rain. It was an awesome cooling off end to a great day! My 8 year old wanted to help so bad, but I thought the novelty would wear off before the day was done ... he should up later with Daddy, and tried his hand at marketing candy creations and glow necklaces! He has a future in marketing!

Army Life is a Busy Life

Cast of "When Dorothy Meets Alice" Fort Bragg, NC

My 13 year old, daughter and I performed in the 2011 Army Festival of the Arts Competition "When Dorothy Meets Alice". This is a volunteer position with BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) and FMWR (Fort Bragg Morale, Welfare and recreation). My 8 year old also attended almost every rehearsal, learning everyone's parts along the way. We each contributed over 150 hours each in this all volunteer production.

UPDATE:

I'm proud to announce we won 3rd Place for Ensemble among all Garrisons throughout the U.S. Army.

I Walk ...

Sign by Old Glory Soldiers

... I walk for my 2 great-uncles that were at Pearl Harbor and my husband's grandfather, for the WWII Veterans that have touched me from the Wiregrass Honor Flight, and the many others that have protected and watch from above with wings of Glory.

Proudly Serving,
Tina Shifflett
Army Brat and Spouse

Walk a Mile (Our kids in the USO Jeep at Walk A Mile In Their Boots)

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Military Spouse Appreciation Day (also referred to as Military Spouse Day) has been celebrated since May 23, 1984, by proclamation of President Ronald Reagan.

President Reagan understood the importance the military family plays in supporting service members in providing duty to our country. Military Spouses maintain the homefront, allowing the service member to focus their attentions to the details that protect the freedoms of our countrymen, here and abroad.

A distracted soldier (airman, marine, coastie, guardsman) is dangerous, to themselves and others; and unable to complete the task with the precision necessary.

As a Military Spouse, we are the "geographical single parents", the dog walker, school liaison for our family, nurse aid, cheerleader at sports and in everyday life ... the jack of all trades ... and proficient in many.

The US Secretary of Defense, has continued the tradition of recognizing Military Spouses by declaring the Friday before Mother's Day as Military Spouse Day. Each year the President may issue a proclamation and give a speech on the importance of Military Spouses and appreciation of their service to the US Military.

While only 1% of our population serves in the Armed Forces, there are many behind the scenes. They are the silent warriors, they may not wear camouflage or a uniform, but their dedication is evident. They are the rocks that provide the solid foundation for their spouse, family, and country. They are the hands that hold those when in need; they are the cleaning crew when a tornado ravages neighborhoods. Car washes, bake sales, fundraisers, yard sales ... all in the name of giving back to others.

I am humbled by President Reagan's honor bestowed upon the Military Spouse, and for continued support of our Military Spouses, Family, and Our Troops, by our Presidents and fellow Americans.

As an Army Spouse, I want to say Thank You to my fellow military spouses, to our service members and to those that Support Our Heroes.

Proudly Serving,
Tina Shifflett