An innovative restoration program in Afghanistan is giving troops the tools they need to “stay in the fight” by helping them overcome the stresses and challenges of being deployed, the director of the Freedom Restoration Center at Bagram Airfield there said.

Army Capt. Donald Hawkins and his five-person staff have been reaching out to U.S. military units and service members throughout the country since the center’s doors opened in February. The program offers a variety of classes to keep troops resilient and give them the confidence and competence to return to duty, he said.... Read more here

Navigating the teen years has never been easy. Students struggle with stress, academics, peer pressure, bullying…and teens in military families have to factor in moves every few years as well.  Many teens say stress contributes to depression and isolation, and sometimes, thoughts of suicide.... Read more here

Combat stress.... Read more here

My post last month about poor support for military families struck a nerve, as I learned from the responses that I received.
LTG Rick Lynch, base commander at Fort Hood, Texas, heard similar stories from the wife of a soldier in his command. His response? He instituted a family-first program, including orders for every soldier on a day schedule to be home for dinner by 6 p.m. each night. Lynch’s plan not only helps spouses and children, it also helps create a more resilient soldier, who can resist alcohol and drug abuse, stress and suicide.
For more information on LTG Lynch’s new initiative, click here.

Time with our families is always precious. Time to refresh and renew, eat together, pray together…time to de-stress and have fun together. I welcome stories about how your family spends time together.... Read more here

I’ve always had pets in my home, ever since I was a small child.  First, one shepherd-collie mix, then the first in a series of all-black cats.  Then a second dog (rescued German shepherd).  Then a Himalayan cat…and on and on.  Currently, one hamster, one cat and one dog share my home.... Read more here