Tips for Kids with Military Moms

As the military sees a stronger and stronger presence of female soldiers, the likelihood of children having deployed moms on Mothers’ Day becomes higher and higher. Many articles are scattered across the web, offering moms advice on how to deal with deployed children, but few address the perspective of children with deployed mothers.

Here are some tips for the kids out there whose moms are overseas this Mothers’ Day:

1. Send Her Mail

Hearing from family is always a nice escape from the daily duties of the soldier. But this letter is special. Remind mom how much she means to you, and how excited you’ll be to see her soon! Remember, Mom already knows you miss her, so avoid spending too much time talking about how much you miss her, and spend the letter reminding her how proud you are to have her as your mom. Of course, make it yours, but hopefully those tips will get you started on your Mothers’ Day letter.

2. Can’t Send it? Save it!

In some cases, if you got mom a gift, it may not be practical or possible to send it to her while she’s in the field. If you’re the nostalgic type, write her a card, date it, and make sure she knows it was a Mothers’ Day gift. Not so nostalgic? Set it aside in a special place as part of her welcome home package. If neither of those ideas peak your interest, get creative and surprise her with an awesome reveal when she comes home!

3. Skype/Call if You Can

This is arguably the best way to wish Mom a happy Mothers’ Day. Throw on her favorite outfit (if you’re Skyping), give her your best grin, and wish her the happiest of Mothers’ Days! Unfortunately not all moms will have the option to skype or call family while they’re in the field. If you can’t use this option, do your best to make Mom smile with the first 2 options.

When in doubt, you can always grab mom a personalized keepsake from USMilitaryBracelets.com. We’d like to wish all of our deployed moms the happiest of Mothers’ Days!

Bookmark and Share

New Hampshire Welcomes Home Vietnam Vets

For the first time in the United States, veterans who served in the Vietnam War were officially welcomed home on March 30. More than a thousand people attended the ceremony in Concord, NH where speeches from Vietnam veterans, Governor Maggie Hassan, U.S. Representative Carol-Shea Porter, and others gave their thoughts about the long-unrecognized veterans and their service to the United States Military.

Retired solders could be heard throughout the event reliving stories with each other, of the battles in Vietnam and of the battles upon returning home. Many discussed the terrors of war, while others shared stories of the horrendous treatment they received from American citizens upon returning.

Veterans’ Thoughts

I asked a vet about his experience. He never gave me his name, but just simply said, “Solders these days are welcomed home with flags, banners, family, friends, and open arms. When I came home, I landed in the airport, walked off the plane in my uniform, and people spit on me. Literally, they spit on me. The politics were so fierce that people forgot we were human beings.”

I asked another soldier what he thought of the event after he walked away from a pile of reporters. His words easily summarized the event for all the veterans in attendance. He said, “Son, you’re way too young to understand the fierce hate people had for us. It was a lose-lose situation. We left Vietnam, where everyone hated us, and tried to kill us. We can home to America, where everyone hated us and wished we were dead. But, at least the Americans weren’t shooting at us. So, what do I think of this event? Apology accepted.”

What it Means for Future Vets

A lot was said of regretting how people treated the veterans who came home at the end of their tours during the Vietnam War. On point, even more was said of how soldiers now, and in the future, will never have to endure the same treatment. Many of the Vietnam veterans were actively involved in programs designed to help current veterans re-acclimate themselves to civilized society, helping soldiers handle from post-traumatic stress disorder, and manage other post-battle obstacles.

This event was one the first of its kind, with a few others having been held in several states on the 30th. Hopefully the event will inspire other states, districts, and individuals to reach out to veterans and welcome them home.

Bookmark and Share

RallyPoint New Networking Site to Help Vets Find Jobs

Most people realize that in order to get a job in this tough economy, it’s not necessarily “what” you know, but “who” you know. That helps explain the explosive growth of LinkedIn, which now has over 200 million members.

Job seekers have come to see the effectiveness of the networking site in helping to land jobs. Unfortunately, the power of LinkedIn hasn’t seemed to translate to Veterans who are returning to civilian life but still struggling to find a place in the workforce. The numbers keep getting worse.

According to the January report from Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans who served since 2001 jumped to 11.7% compared to 9.1% a year earlier. The general population saw a slight decline in the jobless rate year over year from 8.7% to 8.3%.  The numbers are even worse for female veterans who are experiencing an unemployment rate of 17.1% compared to male vets at 10.5%.

There are a number of initiatives out there to aid in the job search for these veterans including VetJobs.com, Bonds of Courage and FedsHireVets.

Towne Craft Designs is pleased to support the newest and perhaps brightest hope in the battle to help Vets get jobs in the website RallyPoint – a LinkedIn-like networking site exclusively for veterans.

A pair of Harvard educated veterans founded RallyPoint in an effort to help tap into the vast military network and help solve the problem of veteran unemployment. Yinon Weiss and Aaron Kletzing have developed a technology that “revolutionizes the way members of US’s largest and most complicated hierarchical organization — the Department of Defense — connect, develop, and pursue fulfilling opportunities throughout their military careers.”

The powerful site clearly outlines the connections between all units throughout the military and the potential connections that can help each veteran find relevant positions. RallyPoint establishes the unique military identity of each member, helps him or her make connections with other military professionals, presents career options and tracks the activities of other members of the veteran’s network.

The ultimate goal of RallyPoint, according to the site, is to ensure that “prospective employers fully appreciate and understand your military skills and experiences” and to help “secure the civilian job that’s best for you – long before you transition.”

That’s encouraging, and long overdue news for all our job-seeking veterans.

Bookmark and Share

President, VA Making Progress on Veterans’ Mental Health Issues

Did you know that 19 out of 100 veterans of the Iraq war have reported a mental health problem?

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for Afghanistan war vets the number is 11%. For those who fought in Desert Storm, it’s 10%. For Vietnam Veterans, it’s 30 out of 100.

We at Towne Craft Designs continue to be concerned with the mental health problems suffered by our brave men and women who have fought for us. That is why we were pleased to hear President Obama repeat his support for our veterans in his State of the Union Address.

“We will keep faith with our veterans,” the President announced in his message on February 12, “investing in world-class care, including mental health care, for our wounded warriors; supporting our military families; and giving our veterans the benefits, education, and job opportunities they have earned.”

More encouraging news emerged on February 5 when the VA announced the establishment of a new online program aimed at veterans struggling with post-war mental disorders.

Moving Forward: Overcoming Life’s Challenges, is a web based initiative where veterans can go to get help if they are struggling with a number of issues related to readjustment to civilian life. It is a free program that helps individuals develop problem-solving skills to overcome stress. The step by step approach, designed for veterans and military service members, uses a variety of tools including videos, games and exercises.

A key benefit of the program is the ability of the individual to participate at home and proceed at his or her own pace. This is especially helpful for those who have difficulty getting to a VA center or who prefer to work on their problems in private.

We are also pleased to note that the VA continues to add mental health professionals to deal with this growing problem. According to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, over 1000 mental health clinic providers have been added since August 2012. The goal is to hire 1600 new providers and 300 administrative staff by June 2013.

We applaud the efforts of the President and VA to continue to provide much needed help in this area for our veterans. It can’t happen fast enough for us.

Bookmark and Share

Veteran’s Day – A Rich and Storied History

Every year on November 11th we Americans celebrate National Veteran’s Day to pay homage to all of those brave men and women who, throughout history, have bravely fought to defend our freedom.
What many people don’t know however is that the very first Veteran’s Day or Armistice Day took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when an armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany went into effect, essentially ending what we have come to know as “the war to end all wars”, World War I. At the time, an “unknown soldier” was buried at both the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and at Westminster Abbey in England. In 1921, following the lead of England and France, the United States buried the remains of a World War I veteran whose name was “known but to God” on the site which is known to us as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
On November 11, 1919 President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day as a way of reflecting on and paying tribute to the heroism of all who fought in the most devastating and destructive war the world had ever known. Then on May 13th 1938, an act was passed to make Armistice Day a legal holiday in recognition of World War I veterans and also as a day dedicated to world peace. It wasn’t until 1954, after a record number of forces was deployed to fight in World War II and then followed by the Korean conflict that the 83rd Congress amended the act by removing the word Armistice and replacing it with Veteran to honor American veterans of all wars.
The Veteran’s Day celebration in America is marked by the all important tradition of placing a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknowns. At exactly 11 a.m. on every November 11th, in the presence of members from each branch of the military, while Taps is being played, the President of the United States places the wreath at the Tomb.
So this Veteran’s Day, take time out to reflect on the rich history of our great American heroes and to say “thank you” to all those who’s loyalty and dedication to this country has protected our freedom!

Bookmark and Share
No Comments | November 9th, 2012

A Back-to-School Gift to Last A Lifetime

Military schools comprise a long and proud tradition in the service of our country, though the commitment often means separation from family and friends. As summer winds down, young men and women across the nation will be leaving home for the first time to begin careers in the armed forces. Show your support and pride this fall with a personalized keepsake from Towne Craft Designs.
Our stainless-steel bracelets are carefully crafted in a smooth watchband style for men and a braided chain pattern for women, great gifts even for those who don’t wear jewelry. Each piece can be custom engraved with a special message to help your loved ones stay close to home though they may be far away. For a more our elegant presentation, our sterling silver pendants make striking accessories for special occasions, or just for everyday wear. All of our jewelry features gold, silver, or embossed emblem design for any branch of the US Military.
Towne Craft jewelry is the perfect way to send your love and pride across the miles – Check our selection online and take advantage of our free gift wrapping service.

Bookmark and Share
No Comments | August 30th, 2012

Commemorating Peace in the Pacific

US Military Bracelets, Towne Craft Designs, Victory Over Japan

On August 15th, 1945, Japan’s acceptance of surrender terms from Allied Forces marked the end of World War II. The surrender brought a formal close to the most widespread war in history, nearly six years of violent conflict that forever altered the political and social structure of the world. V – J Day commemorates this momentous event, and honors the valiant U.S. armed service members who fought and died for freedom in the Pacific.

This Wednesday is the anniversary of the War’s end. We at Towne Craft Designs ask that you take a moment to remember those who lost their lives in that conflict, and those who returned home forever changed by their experiences. With courage and perseverance, they forged a legacy of dedication and pride that continues to the men and women who still defend our country today.  For all their service and commitment, we extend our unending respect and gratitude.

Bookmark and Share

America’s Employers Show Their Patriotism by Hiring Heroes

In today’s tough economy, many veterans returning from service struggle to find a job. Thanks to military career networks, however, community outreach has helped foster support for men and women who have bravely defended our country, or who still defend it. Across the nation, more and more employers are actively seeking veterans and those with military experience.

Military-friendly employers recognize the contributions of our armed forces, and are committed to providing veterans with the resources, training, and support they need to successfully transition to the civilian workforce. Veterans bring unique strengths and skills to the workplace. Their military experiences instill them with high standards of teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and responsibility—ideal values as colleagues and leaders. Many corporations also sponsor the U.S. military through charitable contributions and events. And for those still in the service, more than a few employers offer special benefits to support training and active duty.

Here are just a few organizations hiring our heroes:

  • AT&T
  • Marriott International
  • Allstate Insurance Company
  • Microsoft
  • Bank of America
  • National Science Foundation
  • Cardinal Health
  • Offshore Energy Services
  • Chevron
  • Progressive
  • Dell, Inc.
  • Redstone College
  • General Electric
  • Sam’s Club
  • Home Depot
  • Sears Holding Corp.
  • H&R Block
  • T-Mobile
  •  IKON Office
  • Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing
  •  John Deere
  • Tyson Foods
  • Kraft Foods
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  •  Kmart

Corporations are employing service members as a way to express their respect and gratitude for the tremendous sacrifices made by active military personnel and veterans, as well as their families. For more information about military-friendly employers, visit http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/job-hunting/military-friendly-employers.html.

 

 

Bookmark and Share

Give your returning hero a memorable gift

US Military Bracelets, Give your returning hero a memorable gift

We recognize the courage and dedication of our armed forces, and the sacrifices they make in defense of our nation. Military deployments are long-term commitments, testing endurance and fortitude. Amid the hardships of long-term separation, out of touch with family and friends, service members not only face the dangers of potential combat, but also contend with stress, anxiety, and depression. In 2009, the U.S. military deployed 33,000 men and women to Afghanistan to fight rising Taliban forces. The last 23,000 of those dedicated troops are scheduled to return to the U.S. this September.

Welcome your hero home with a memorable and unique gift, a reminder every day that efforts and sacrifices are appreciated by family, friends, and fellow citizens.  US Military Bracelets and Pendants were designed by a veteran, to commemorate, honor, and show appreciation for the people who fight for – and have fought for – our country.

To ensure that every gift is as unique as the person receiving it, each of our high quality, stainless steel bracelets and pendants can be personalized in just about any way you like. Designed for comfort and durability, they make great gifts even for those who rarely wear jewelry.

Show the depth of your gratitude with a gift from the heart: get your returning hero a memorable and unique gift they deserve. Visit our website today and find the perfect way to say “Welcome Home” to your loved one!

Bookmark and Share

Remembering A “Forgotten War”

US Military Bracelets, Towne Craft Designs, Remembering a Forgotten War

This Friday, July 27th, is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.  In July of 1953, the drafting of an armistice ended a three-year civil war in Korea, drawing a demarcation line and setting up the demilitarized zone that still exists today. During those years of combat, nearly 45,000 U.S. men and women gave their lives on the Korean peninsula, fighting to restore peace and liberty to a land under conflict.

Though not officially a holiday, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day is a time to honor distinguished Korean War veterans, a day to commemorate the courage and sacrifices they made, not just for those at home in America, but for people and nations across the globe. We at Towne Craft Designs wish to show our heartfelt thanks to those who fought for freedom and democracy in Korea, and our admiration for the brave men and women who continue to defend our country every day. We urge you to take a moment to remember their sacrifices, and to show your respect and gratitude for their dedication.

Bookmark and Share