Keep Your Promise: Senators, Do Not Cut My Military Spouses Retirement Benefits

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AWC > Military Life > Keep Your Promise:  Senators, Do Not Cut My Military Spouses Retirement Benefits

It's like it was yesterday when I became an engaged to a Soldier.  We had the discussion almost immediately.  Does he reenlist or does he get out?  He had been in 8 years at that time.  I said, "I could stay in Illinois, you'll deploy in a year and when you get back you can get out.  I'll keep my 70K a year job and you can get out and go to school on your GI Bill."  He reminded me of the other option.  I give up my career, he stays in and get his 20 year retirement.   I said, "If I give up my high paying job, you better be in for 20 because I make more than you in pay and can make more than your retirement if I stay where I am."  He loved his country and his job.  We decided to live the military life.

Why am I am talking about all this?  Although what I share with you is our personal finances, it is crucial to understand that the recent retirement budget cuts suggested and promoted by Paul Ryan are interfering with my families financial future.  One ,that for the past 6 years, we have been planning for.  We aren't looking for a handout as Paul Ryan has implied.

Army Life: Reenlisting Indef

AWC > Military Life > Army Life:  Reenlisting Indef

Wow.  It's that time.  The time my husband says I will stay with you for 20 or more to the U.S. Army.  He's already been in over 14 years. To think he's been with the Army longer than me, his wife.

It feels like he has climbed the slide, and he's almost to the top.  This is a slide you can only do once.  So it's exciting and sad all at one time.  I'm so proud of the dedication my husband has shown to his children, family, fellow Soldiers, and country.

I wanted to share his last reenlistment with all of you.

If it doesn't appear below, click this link to watch --> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201394004506724&l=7383437416449943206

Post by Jennifer Ray Stewart.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JENNIFER STEWART

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Fort Lee Click2Go- Online Grocery Shopping /Curbside Pickup Program

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AWC >  Military Life  > Fort Lee Click2Go - Online Grocery Shopping/Curbisde Pickup Program


Curious what the new "Click2Go" service is going to be like?  Army Wife, Mickey, takes you through the test site at Fort Lee.  Watch her describe what she likes and doesn't like.  After you watch, comment below on what you think!

Army Wife Courtney Y's Welcome Home U.S. Army Style

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AWC > Welcome Home > Courtney Y's Welcome Home U.S. Army Style

I dont even know where to begin on this, talk about a roller coaster ride!

My husbands homecoming date was June 6th at 23:20(11:20pm).  I counted down the days, hours, minutes and seconds for about a MONTH!  On Wednesday the 5th, my husband was headed for the airport at Osan Airbase in South Korea.    I was on edge, full of butterflies and incredibly nervous!  I didn't sleep that night because my husband was 14 hrs ahead and I wanted to make sure that everything went smoothly.  I don't know what difference it makes, it was all out of my control anyway! He arrived at Osan airbase where his flight was SUPPOSED to leave at 09:30 local time, which is about 20:30(8:30pm) my time.

82nd Airborne Paratroopers Jump Onto Drop Zone

AWC > Airborne > 82nd Airborne Paratroopers Jump Onto Drop Zone

I just LOVE heading out to the dropzones and watching a jump.  If you aren't near Fort Bragg, the below video will give you an idea of what it it's like ;)

Thank You Womack Army Medical Center!

AWC > Airborne > Thank You Womack Army Medical Center

On August 13th my husband injured himself on a jump.   He ended up with a Diastasis of Synphasis Pubis (separated pelvis) & a Avulsion fracture of the right fibula/ankle.   

I want to give a shout out and big THANK YOU to the staff at Womack! From the night he came in to the emergency room to having him being discharged from 2North... everything has went very smoothly. Thanks SGT Christianson, ER Nurse Danielle, ER Doc, PA Gast, Dr McKenzie, LT Mercer, Nurse Dave, CPT Derr, SPC Olson, SGT Morales, LT Desta, ladies at the 2N Floor Desk, Dieticians, Housekeeping, Physical Therapists Penny & Nikki, Case Mgr Nurse Ms. Abaling. THANK YOU to anyone I may have forgotten to name! I am extremely appreciative of the healthcare my hubby is provided! --

Busch Gardens Hero Salute - Our Army Family Experience

AWC > Travel & Military Discounts > Busch Garden Hero Salute - Our Army Family Experience

We are back from vacation!  One of our favorite parts was Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida!

Anheuser-Busch offers an amazing program, "Hero Salute", to active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman.

Our Experience:

Day 1 - Our Army Family had the opportunity to visit on Sunday, July 15th.   We arrived at 11AM.  Exchanged our passes for our tickets at Guest Relations.  Bought a Meal Plan (All-Day Dining Deal.  Purchased an All Day locker for $7.  First ride we went to was GWAZI.  That's one bumpy rollercoaster.  Shakier than the 'Eagle' at Six Flags Great America in Illinois.

Kids loved it though.  Next it was off to 'Cheetah Hunt'.  This by far was their favorite rollercoaster, until Tuesday!

Happy Anniversary America

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays.  It's a patriotic holiday created by our Declaration of Independence.  We continue to celebrate the anniversary of that freedom annually.
  

I think A. Philip Randolph sums it up best when he said, "Freedom is never given; it is won."
 

I want to thank all that have served, those that continue to serve, the families of those that serve, and most importantly those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.  It is the sacrifice of the few that make it  so the many can celebrate the anniversary of America.

Enjoy your family, friends, and barbecue today!  


Remember... Thank those who won your freedom and those that continue to defend it.


--Jenn


Below is a pictures of the front of my house.  My daughter helped me decorate.  It's become our yearly tradition.

Father/Daughter Dance & Jommy/Son Date Night

June 22, 2012, was the Father Daughter Ball at the  Fort Bragg Club.  It was an amazing event.  I only know this because my 10 year-old daughter came home and told me all about it.  She raved about the punch fountain and the ice cream cones.  The highlight of her night was dancing with her daddy.  I'm thrilled that the MWR puts on these events.  A perfect night for a princess and her dad!  

Army Soldier PV2 Cosby Dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

AWC Clothing: "Army Mom" Clothing added!

Our store has expanded again!  We have added an "Army Mom" section to our shop. 

 

VISIT OUR STORE

 If there's something you would like to see added to our store, email us at ArmyWivesClubPage@gmail.com

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Free For Active Duty Military and Their Dependents

Starting May 19, 2012 Active Duty Military and their Dependents can obtain a **FREE** National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Who is Eligible to purchase a pass?

• Available to active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173)
1. Where can I get a pass?
• Obtained in person at Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.
2. What does the pass cover?
• Covers entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge Entrance Fees, and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation sites.
• Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults at sites that charge per person.
• Non-transferable

Where can I go?

The five agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program are:

• National Park Service
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation

Click here to get more information about Pass Use and have some of your Frequently asked questions answered! 

Easter Egg Hunts & Events 2012

Below are some Easter Egg Hunts and Events on or near Army Posts.  Please visit the links to get additional details to determine cost and age requirements.

• Fort Benning
• Callaway Easter Egg Hunt April 7th 2:00PM-5:00PM @ Callaway Gardens' Overlook Azalea Garden
• Easter Egg Hunt April 7th 1:00PM - 4:00PM @ Family Entertainment Center
• Easter Brunch April 8th 10:00AM-12:00PM @ Call 706-682-0640
• Fort Campbell
• Traditional Easter Egg Hunt April 8th 2:00PM-5:30PM @ D.W. Recreation Center
• Fort Bragg
• 2nd Annual Aquatics Easter Egg Hunt April 7th 1:00PM-4:00PM @ Tolson Indoor Pool 
• CYSS Annual Easter Carnival April 7th 1:00PM-3:00PM @ Tolson Youth Activities Center
• Easter Brunch & Hunt April 8th 8:30AM - 2:00PM @ Fort Bragg Club
• Fort Drum
• Easter Brunch April 8th 11:00AM-1:00PM @ The Commons
• Oxbow Easter Egg Hunt April 7th 11:00AM-2:00PM @Oxbow Park 
• Fort Hood
• Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt April 5th 8:00PM-  @ Belton Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA)
• Easter Egg Hunt & Smallville April 7th 10:30AM - 1:30PM @ Lion's Club Park
• Easter Sunday Brunch with Easter Egg Hunt April 8th 11:00AM-1:30PM @ Club Hood
• Fort Huachuca
• Easter Egg Hunt April 8th 10:30AM-   @ Main Post Chapel
• Fort Jackson 
• Spring Jamboree & Egg Hunt  April 7th 10:00AM-1:00PM @ Youth Sports Complex
• Fort Knox 
• Underwater Easter Egg Hunt April 7th 8:30AM-12:30PM @ Anderson Pool
• Fort Leavenworth
• Easter Brunch April 7th 10:00AM - 1:00PM @ Frontier Conference Center
• Fort Lewis
• Easter Dash  April 8th 12:45PM - 3:30PM @ Memorial Stadium
• Fort Sill
• Easter Egg Hunt  April 7th 1:00PM-3:00PM  @ Butner/Cowan Field
• On Post Families Easter Egg Hunt April 6th 4:00PM - 6:00PM @ Playground at Geronimo/Wolff Rd
• Fort Stewart
• Easter Scavenger Hunt April 4th 3:00PM-4:00PM @ Southern Oaks Community Center
• Fort Sam Houston
• Concordia Lutheran Church Easter Egg Hunt April 7th 11:00AM-  @ Concorida Lutheran Church

This page may update as more events are found. 

Pets During Deployment

Are you a single Soldier deploying?  Do you have a dog that you love and want back when you come home?  Dog is man's best friend!  It's hard for a service member to leave that best friend behind.  It's harder when they have no one to leave them with.

Here's where 'Dogs on Deployment' comes in.  Dogs on Deployment's mission:

"Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible pet-ownership and the military-pet community by providing an online resource for military members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets while they're on deployment."

Check out their website http://www.dogsondeployment.org/.
Discover how to:

• Seek assistance in boarding a pet during deployment.

• Volunteer to board a pet in need.

• Provide financial support in the boarding of pets.

Know any other great resources for pets? Comment Below!

Our Army Experience with Vasectomy Reversal Program at Womack

AWC > TTC > Our Army Experience with Vasectomy Reversal Program at Womack

My husband got a Vasectomy in 2003 during his previous marriage.  After a few years of marriage we decided we wanted children.  Here's how the Vasectomy Reversal program works from our own wonderful experience.