American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heros Program

It’s that time of year again! The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have teamed up for the fourth annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program.



From now until December 10th you are encouraged to send holiday cards to our military service members, their families, and veterans everywhere. Anyone can send a card and you can send as many as you would like! Please send all cards to::

Holiday Mail for Heroes

PO Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD

20791-5456

So head on over HERE, make your card selections and donate today!

This years deadline for card selections and mailings is December 10th. There are no exceptions to the deadline! After Pitney Bowes collects and screens the mail received in the PO Box, Red Cross workers will deliver holiday greetings to service men and women in their communities, commands, bases and deployments.

**Check out how our uniformed men and women and their families expressed their gratitude for the Holiday Mail program when it delivered cards to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

**Miley Cyrus, Amy Grant, Jane Seymour and Dr. Phil McGraw have also designed cards for Holiday Mail for Heroes this year...head HERE to check out their designs! In order to select a celebrity-designed card to send out, head HERE, make a donation to support the program, and select your card!



Thanks, The Military Brat and MilitaryWivesSaving!

Sailors Get Special Clothing Allowance...or Maybe YOU Didn't?

After reading the article HERE, I wanted to take a moment to mention this little tidbit of information!! It has been brought to attention that all sailors did not receive the max clothing allowance for the new Navy Working Uniform assignment. If this affects you or if you aren't sure if you received your max clothing allowance then immediately login to Bupers Online to see if you are one of 45,000 sailors who didn't receive your correct uniform allotment!------>

The Navy has announced a targeted, one-time Clothing Replacement Allowance for approximately 45,000 Sailors who did not receive the required amount of Navy Working Uniforms or annual allowances. Sailors can log on to Bupers Online and run an individual review to determine if they will receive a targeted CRA payment -- the query hyperlink is named "Navy Working Uniform One-time Targeted Clothing Replacement Allowance Information." Also, the NPC Customer Service Center is available between the hours of 0800 to 2000 EST at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (866-827-5672). Sailors will be notified of payment in the remarks section of their LES.....from MILITARY.COM

Veteran's Day ......November 11, 2010.....Importance, Deals, and Discounts

Photo Credit: FoundersofAmerica.com

While Veteran's Day is fast approaching, it is important to honor those men and women who have served and are serving to protect our rights, freedoms, and way of life. Remember on November 11, to thank your sailor, soldier, and airman; active, retired, or served.

 Importance of Veteran's Day....

A veteran is more than just a  military member who served or is serving our country, honorably, through times of war and piece. These are the individuals who gladly stepped up to the challenges met by our country to serve and protect, regardless of their opinions or biases. A veteran does what they do or did out of love, commitment, and honor. How amazing that an individual would commit themselves to a contract out of love for their fellow man. Veteran's have and are doing just that. They unfortunately sometimes have to justify the means of a situation both morally and politically, but they do it all un-selfishly and with Americans best interest in mind. So on November 11, if you know or see a veteran, thank them, shake their hand or hug them, because it is because of them that you and I are allowed to continue the freedoms that we so cherish!

Veteran's Day Discounts - November 11, 2010

In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, restaurants, retail stores and
entertainment centers across the country are offering a variety of
discounts and deals for veterans and their families, firefighters and
police officers.

This list includes a few examples (some offer discounts year round) but
there may be others, so be sure to ask for a military discount when you
shop, dine or checkout http://www.saving4military.com/! While I know that this list will continue to grown I want to go ahead and get it started and I will also continue to update the list as it grows.

*********RESTAURANTS :

Applebee's - Free dinners to veterans throughout the day.

Outback Steakhouse - Free Blooming Onion and beverage.

Golden Corral- Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military.

Krispy Kreme - One free doughnut of any variety.

*********RETAILERS:

 Brides Across America - Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.

 Lowe's & Home Depot - 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve, retirees, honorably discharged vets & immediate family members.(Year Round.)

Sam's Club - Giving over 25,000 Hugo canes to veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership not required, supplies limited, check with local store.

Amazon.com - Free "Veterans Day Honor" MP3album download. Album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cabela's Outdoor Store - Employee discount to all vets, active-duty,reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts5% to 50%.

Build-a-Bear Workshop - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, receive 20% discount Nov.11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Dollar General - 10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.

Fashion Bug - 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse's military ID.

*********ENTERTAINMENT

 Around the US: National parks, forests and monuments - Admission is free to everyone on Veterans Day.

Knott's Berry Farm - Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during Veteran's Month, November 1-26.

 San Jacinto Museum of History - Free visits to the Observation Deck,theatre, and special exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

Historic Jamestown - Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.

Battleship Cove - Free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active, duty and reservists.

Vicksburg National Military Park - Free admission for all.

 Birmingham Museum of Art - Free admission to the ticketed event"Life and Liberty" on Nov. 10-11 for veterans and active military.

 Vulcan Park and Museum- In Birmingham, Alabama is offering discounted admission through November to the park and museum.

Green Bay (WI) New Zoo - Free admission to veterans and their families.

Central Florida Zoo - Free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.

Strategic Air & Space Museum- Free admission for veterans Nov. 11-14to the Ashland, Nebraska museum.

 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - in Oklahoma City offers free admission to veterans and five guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day.

Natural Elements Spa & Salon - In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military.



AAFES Mystery Shopper

How cool is this ....You can currently register HERE to be eligible to be a mystery shopper with AAFES Mystery Shopper Program. This program is so exciting! I mean how ofter do we get to shop our military exchanges, and offer valuable feedback on the products and services that they offer! As of right now this program is only available in The Exchange (Army and Air Force). But that is okay, if you are stationed in another branch, but do utilize the Exchange over your exchange services, you are still eligible to sign up!

After you follow the link HERE, you will be prompted to sign into the All Exchange catalog online. This is the same place that you make your Star Card Payments. If you have never registered here, you will be prompted to register first with your information. This is the information that is on your military id card, so be prepared....this is of course a secure government site. After you have registered and created login information, you will then be taken to the AAFES Mystery Shopper Program. You will then register again, but only for this program.

As compensation for your time and survey completion, you will receive a $30 gift certificate, and a night at the movies for free (two theater passes with two large bags of popcorn and two medium drinks). If you military installation doesn't have a movie theatre, you will only receive the $30 gift certificate as compensation.

I was really surprised when I signed up for this program. The link and site stated that only 28 individuals had visited and signed up.....how crazy is that. So go ahead and try to score a little something extra while doing a good service for all of your other exchange patrons.


Thanks, MilitaryWivesSaving!

NIWH Offering Supplemental Scholarship to all Qualified MYCAA Recipients

I just wanted to take a moment and mention this new information that is available to all Military Spouses who are furthering their information. If you are eligible for MyCAA then you are eligible for an additional $1250 in scholarships from NIWH. (Read Below). It is also important to note that MyCAA is only eligible for E-5 and below now, unless you have already received a confirmed application for acceptance into MyCAA. Although this does irritate me to a certain degree that only E-5 and below are eligible, the program is still an excellent supplement for any military spouse looking to continue your education.

NIWH Offering Educational Scholarships for Military Spouses

Military spouses benefit from NIWH Scholarships now offered to all MyCAA qualified learners



October 14, 2010, Wellesley, MA – The National Institute of Whole Health (http://www.niwh.org), (NIWH) pioneers of Whole Health Education® and Whole Person Health Care™, today announced the offering of a $1,250 scholarship for all military spouses who are eligible for MyCAA funding. This enables the over three million active military spouses to have their tuition for the National Institute of Whole Health’s (NIWH) educational programs paid in full, without expenses for the learner.



“Today’s military spouses face unique challenges when it comes to pursing continuing education—limited funds are an obstacle and frequent moves makes it difficult to complete a program and establish a career,” said Dr. Georgianna Donadio, Program Director for NIWH. “Through this scholarship, we not only want to make it easier for spouses to receive the education they want and need, but we also want to recognize the tremendous sacrifices military families worldwide make for our country. As the mother of two sons currently serving in the military, I am really pleased that NIWH has chosen to support our soldiers and their families in this way.”


The NIWH Military Spouse Scholarship covers all incidentals associated with the Whole Health Educator, Whole Health for Nurses, Whole Health Nutrition Educator and Whole Health Coaching certifications for health, allied health and education professionals. In addition, the NIWH Family Health Advocate Certificate of Study program is open to all non-credentialed learners.


The remaining costs can be funded through the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program for which NIWH is an approved educational provider. Through the combination of the scholarship and MyCAA funding, there are no out of pocket expenses for military spouses.


NIWH’s educational programs enable learners to enrich their existing education with knowledge of “the whole picture of health” ®. These evidence-based Whole Health programs enable military spouses to train to care for the whole person, addressing not just the physical aspect of health, but also the emotional, nutritional, environmental and spiritual. Courses are video-based and streamed online from anywhere in the world, providing ideal accommodations for frequently moving military families. The training is also designed to assist military families in supporting their own member’s personal health needs, addressing many of the health concerns effecting active military soldiers today, including post-traumatic stress conditions and brain injuries.



Since 1977, NIWH has provided evidence-based, integrative Whole Health programs. The curriculum's are delivered through on-line, video-based courses and include assigned Academic Advisers, continuing education contact hours for health and education professionals, on-line forums and chat rooms, networking support for graduates and malpractice insurance. For nurses, the program course work qualifies them to sit for the national Holistic Nurses Certification exam.



The content of the program is delivered through a relationship-centered, whole-person health focused curriculum. It is designed to empower the learner and their clients with demystified health information to take greater control over their health and well being. This program integrates current medical research with a natural outlook on healing and the wisdom of spiritual teachings.



Whole Health Education funding through MyCAA is available to spouses of Active Duty service members of the Department of Defense and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components (on Title 10 orders). The program provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses, certificates or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields. The NIWH Military Spouse Scholarship is available to anyone who is eligible for MyCAA funding.



Individuals who would like more information or are interested in enrolling can do so at http://www.niwh.org or by calling 888-354-HEAL (4325).



About the National Institute of Whole Health



Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Wellesley, MA, the National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH) offers the most respected and credentialed integrative, whole health certification programs in the US. NIWH’s offerings include the Norman Cousins Award nominated Best Practice Whole Health Education certification program. The Whole Health Educator program for Nurses, endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association along with the Whole Health Nutrition Educator certification program and Whole Health Coaching certification program, can be completed via on-line distance learning. Recognized nationally as the pioneers of Whole Health Education®, the school has instructed thousands of students from varying health occupations from all over the U.S., and now offers on-line distance learning with students located on five continents. For more information, visit www.niwh.org or call (888) 354-HEAL (4325).



Free Family Weekend at Bass Pro Shops...Plus Supporting Our Troops....Sorry I am Posting this so Late!

U.S. Army Celebration Event!

Bass Pro Shops is having a FREE Family Fun Weekend Event 9/11 & 12!

This Bass Pro U.S. Army Celebration & Troop Event will have a paintball cage, bean bag toss, obstacle course and more!

You can supposrt the troops by donating your gently used DVDs, video games and books! The first 200 people to donate an item during this event, will receive a Sportsman’s Racing Team poster.



Go HERE for more information!!