Time away from our soldiers can affect the storyline of our everyday lives during their absence. Their departure can set the stage for the onset of unique challenges. In Gretchen McLellan’s recent books When Your Daddy’s a Soldier, she provides children with the experience of seeing themselves in between the cover of a book. She depicts the real and raw emotions that can often times fill our homes as we prepare for the departure and arrival of our soldiers.

Gretchen McLellan is an Army Brat, wife of a veteran, mother, grandmother, former reading specialist and author of five picture books. Her father was a veteran of three wars and a career infantry soldier. She spent her childhood on the move, living in Rockville, Maryland; Springfield and Charlottesville, Virginia; Ft. Benning, Georgia; Tampa, Florida; Heidelberg, Butzbach, Stuttgart and Munich, West Germany; and Teheran, Iran, both on and off bases. As an adult she has settled in Camas, WA.

It has been one of her lifetime missions to represent military kids in print. The military, one of America’s oldest and nearly invisible subcultures, is underrepresented in children’s literature. She provides a mirror for kids like her by giving them a voice in her recent release When Your Daddy’s a Soldier. By providing a window into their world, she hopes to build understanding and compassion for them and their families. She explores many issues close to the Brat heart in her picture books and middle grade fiction.

Listeners, if you want to connect with Gretchen, you can find her by clicking here or connect with her on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

Resource Recon with Amanda and Angelia

One of our latest blogs comes from our expert blogger, Hope for the Warriors, in their recent post titled, HOPE’s ‘Giant Leap’ with the U.S. Space Force, shares:

The United States Space Force recently celebrated its third birthday, though many folks probably don’t even know the newest branch of the United States Armed Services exists or what its members are responsible for. 

When officially announced on Dec. 20, 2019, the Space Force became the first new military branch since 1947. There have been calls for such a United States military branch since man first started exploring space. That’s why we were so excited when we able to tour the Pentagon, where the Space Force is headquartered, in December.

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda

 Today we are showcasing our Everyday Empowerment recipient, Patty Hernandez. She was personally nominated by Amanda! 

Patty is a huge encourager willing to spread joy through her authenticity and laughter. She’s an awesome person and friend who inspires others by simply being her. Amanda has gotten a chance to read her debut novel, and it instantly become one of her favorite books. She highly recommends checking out the novel Twenty-Seven by P.L. Hernandez, you won’t regret it!

All that to say, thank you so much Patty, for being an empowering, inspiring milspouse and friend! And on behalf of Mission: Milspouse, thank you so much for doing your part to empower families around the world. 

Moxie Minute with Amie

The next word on our list for Moxie – Nerve.

Now, when you think of nerve, you  could be reminded of the courage and bravery it takes to face the unknown. We don’t always know where we’re going to live or how long we’re going to be there. We don’t always know when our loved ones will come home or if they’ll be safe when they travel or they’re away. The thing about nerve – it’s not about being fearless. It’s about acknowledging our fears and doubts and then pushing past them anyway. As the writer Ambrose Redmoon once said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”

And that’s exactly what we do as military families. We face our fears and doubts with nerve and determination, because we know that something else – our love for our spouses, our country and our commitment to our families – is more important than our fear.

News 6 with Emma

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of March 6, 2023, straight from M:M News 6 Correspondent, Emma Tighe:

SGLI Reaches a New High

Starting March 1st, 100,000 dollars will be automatically added to every service member’s life insurance policy, bringing the total from 400,000 to five. 

The Servicemembers Group Life Insurance Policy, or SGLI, will increase even if the service member has previously reduced or declined it. It will also increase not only for active duty but reserve and guard members as well. The monthly premium will increase as well, going up to 31 dollars, a six dollar price hike. This is a universal price and rank and age is not influenced by the premium. 

The Veterans Group Life Insurance, or VGLI, is also increasing from 4 to 500,000 dollars but the veteran must request it as it is not an automatic changeover. This increase is the first increase in the program since 2005 and will make the Department of Veterans affairs the 12 largest life insurer in the United States. 

Find out more at militarytimes.com

American Idol and American Hero Reunite

When Kaylin Hedges, a 15 year old from Pound Ridge, New York, auditioned for American Idol, she had no idea that would only be the first thrill of her day. She had chosen the song “Already There”, by Lonestar. A song about a family missing their husband and father while he was away and him letting them know he was always with them. 

This is a familiar feeling for military families and one Kaylin knows well, as her military father is currently serving overseas. Her rendition brought a standing ovation from the judges, and judge Katy Perry told her before they would vote that her dad had recorded a special message for her.

1SG Jeffery Hedges said on an iPad recording: “It’s your dad. I miss and love you very much. I wanted to tell you I have nothing but pride and admiration for you. I know I’ve missed many holidays, birthdays and major life events for you, but I just want you to know, that no matter where I am, I’m already there. So, take a look around.”

The judges then told her to take a look around and her dad entered the room. This surprise was not only a shock to her but her mother, who had no idea he was there either. 

Learn more and watch the video clip at wideopencountry.com

Soldier Donates Life Saving Bone Marrow to Toddler

Spc. Gavin Dingus had been registered on Be The Match, the national bone marrow registry, for several years when he enlisted in the army at the age of 22. Just two years after joining, he got the call that he had come up as a match. Be a Match called to let him know he was a good candidate for a little one year old girl named Avery who had pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He did not meet the toddler during the transfer, but she did get to meet her hero in November of 2022 and are now good buddies.

To learn more about registering as a donor please visit Be The Match. Com. 

That’s it for me! I’m Emma Tighe with news 6, signing out!

You can check out more of this week’s top stories here.

Thank You

Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode. Please leave a five-star rating and review on Apple podcasts, then send us a screenshot of your review to hello@missionmilspouse.org or DM us on Facebook or Instagram @missionmilspouse to receive a special in-real-life gift as a thank you on behalf of MM. We appreciate your engagement and support.

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