On June 14, Americans celebrate the adoption of the first national flag. Also known as the “Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory,” the first American flag was approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. In 1818, after 5 more states joined the Union, Congress passed legislation fixing the number of stripes at 13 and requiring that the number of stars equal the number of states.

Do you know all the rules and regulations regarding the care and display of the American Flag? If not, be sure to familiarize yourself with proper flag etiquette.

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Without doubt, the military lifestyle can be very demanding. Frequent moves, war-time tension and anxiety, living far from family, and juggling multiple household roles can really take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. As military wives, we’re often the cornerstones of support and strength for our husbands. We provide the continuity for our homes and families. But, it’s important to recognize that we need support too. Our civilian friends and extended family members love us and want to support us but, often times, they just can’t relate. This is why it is important to seek out groups that can provide you the opportunity to share common experiences, give and receive emotional support, and learn about new resources. There is comfort in cohesion. Don’t isolate yourself. The more connected you are, the easier life will be for you. Seek out and befriend other military wives in your community. These women understand the trials and tribulations associated with our lifestyle.

I highly encourage you to get involved with your local unit and/or spouse support groups! Not only are they a great place to make friends and have fun, they also act as safety net in the event of an emergency. You can call them for help when unforeseen problems or crises arise ( ie: car repairs, medical issues, death, etc.) Moreover, these groups act as a network of communication from the chain of command to family members. When your husband is on TDY or deployed, your unit support group is often the sole link to current information regarding his status and whereabouts.

My top 5 recommend resources for support and information:

1) Military Installation Family and Support

2) The National Military Family Association: The Voice for Military Families

3) Military One Source

4) Operation Homefront: CinChouse

5) America Supports You!

And remember, the Happy Housewives Club is here for you too, always

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Going Overboard: The misadventures of a military wife.

By Sarah Smiley

Syndicated columnist - Author - Navy Wife

Darla will interview Sarah Smiley on the Happy Housewives Club radio program this coming Saturday, May 17th. Be sure to tune in! Click here for  station listings and air times.

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We want to hear from YOU! Share with us your military life tips and lessons. We want to know how YOU make your house a home, how YOU cope with deployments,  how YOU maintain a strong marriage, and how YOU support your husband while taking care of yourself and your family. Please send us your stories.

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Sometimes, we all need to scale back and really think about what matters.  For me, I am going to:

• Start a journal about my life in the military
• Reach out to another military wife
• Write letters of support to troops who are not married
• Bake oatmeal cookies to mail to the troops
• Take a nap with my boys outside on the hammock.

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Military spouses … stand tall, stand proud! We salute you, you are truly our unsung heroes!

The Military Spouse

Author Unknown

There he stands in camouflage…yet he cannot hide from you.
You can pick him out in a crowd, and eye his stride among a formation.
There he goes, away from you again, off to do his part and be his best, leaving you in his wake - never behind, yet always longing for his return.

There you are, amidst boxes and paper and confusion, creating a home, designing a household, transforming a building into a loving nurturing, comfortable environment.

Memories will be made here. Events will be celebrated.
Children will be born, graduate, grow, change. Your family will evolve. Your love will increase. Your marriage will improve. And then you will be asked to leave it all…again.

There are those who do not understand…
Who cannot comprehend what it takes to fulfill your role, to fill your shoes, to be all that you need to be.
They marvel at times, criticize at others, seldom appreciate, cannot imagine. There are those moments when you are where they are.
When you marvel, criticize, lack comprehension and are unable to muster understanding.

And then he appears at the door, or on the phone, or through a rumpled letter addressed to “My Love” and suddenly there is comprehension and understanding, affirmation and conviction.
For by his presence, through his voice, in his message you KNOW that you’ve been beckoned to a noble calling, when asked to be a military spouse.

Invited to support a soldier who allows freedom, who guards democracy, who instills leadership. And in your role you see a slice of life that few others have the privilege to experience…
Flags appear more brilliant to you…
Parades draw out more emotion for you…
A patriotic song is a musical message played just for you…
A hand-over-the-heart is as stirring as an embrace for you…
A parting kiss can hold you for months…
A welcome back embrace can fill you up from lonely months…
A grave marker is a stark reminder of the meaning of devotion…
A tear shared is a stark statement on the meaning of sacrifice…
A duffel bag on a baggage claim gives you pause and connection…
An eagle’s soar gives you inspiration. There you are…
The military spouse, the one asked to be strong, the one willing to belong.
The one who is often required to do it all.
The one who is privileged to stand beside a true American - day in and day out.
There are military spouses around the world, beside soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors.
They share a bond, a unity and a duty to be there, always for their hero.
There.
Said.

Done.
There are no better…anywhere.

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Help A Military Wife recognizes all of the men & women in our armed forces, past and present. We owe you our gratitude and our remembrance for your sacrifice and service.

Thank You!

This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces … to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won’t be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty.”
Excerpt cited from a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952

Help A Military Wife salutes all of our service members.

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The Military Times has recently released their annually revised Handbook for Military Life. It is an invaluable, comprehensive, one-stop resource for information on the wide variety of pay and benefits programs offered to service members, retirees, and their families.

For more information about pay, benefits, retirement planning, education programs, career decisions, and much more, be sure to check out Military Handbooks for a series of FREE, straightforward, and easy-to-understand guides.

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