Family & Friends Connected
A Military Support Group
est. Nov. 9, 2001
Panera's Bread
689 Howe Road
1166 Frederick Blvd
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44320
ph: (330) 864-1772
fax: (330) 867-7051
alt: (330) 867-7051
bennett
FAMILY & FRIENDS CONNECTED, A MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP - FOUNDED BY SAUNDRA V. HUNT
FAMILY & FRIENDS CONNECTED, A MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP - DEDICATED TO ALL FAMILIES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. FOUNDED & DIRECTED BY: SAUNDRA V. HUNT IN NOVEMBER, 2001. SERVING ALL BRANCHES OF THE U.S. MILITARY, BOTH STATESIDE AND ABROAD. A DIVERSE ORGANIZATION WITH FAMILIES FROM: AKRON, BARBERTON, CANTON, CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA FALLS, COPLEY, DOVER, HARTVILLE, HUDSON, STOW, TALLMADGE AND WADSWORTH, OHIO.
bETTY sUTTON
Representative Sutton's Initiative to Compensate Soldiers Affected by Stop Loss Policy Yields Success; U.S. Army Announces Plan to Reduce Stop-Loss and Compensate Affected Soldiers ImmediateLY
The United States Army announced a plan to reduce its stop loss policy and compensate affected soldiers, with first payments distributed during the month of March. The call for stop-loss compensation was initiated by Representative Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Rep. Sutton released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Gates confirmed imminent action to provide stop-loss compensation to soldiers affected by stop-loss during fiscal year 2009 at $500 per month:
"I am very pleased that the conpensation we have fought to ensure for soldiers affected by stop loss, will be forthcoming for those affected by the program during fiscal year 2009. I am also pleased that Secretary Gates has indicated the intention to phase out stop loss, which has placed a toll on so many of our brave service men and women and their families. However, it is important that we properly compensate all of the 160,000 soldiers that have been affected by stop loss since 2001 and I will continue to fight to accomplish that goal."
After Rep. Sutton and Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced legislation (H.R. 6205 and S. 3060) to compensate soldiers affected by stop-loss in 2007, Congress passed a continuing resolution that included compensation for affected soldiers at $500 per month for fiscal year 2009. The provision also required the Secretary of Defense to perform a feasibility study on extending the $500 bonus to troops stop lossed as far back as October 1, 2001.
In all, there are approximately 13,000 stop-lossed soldiers in the Army. Stop loss has been in effect since 1990, but Secretary Gates has announced that the Army aims to gradually wean itself off its reliance on the policy.
FAMILY & FRIENDS CONNECTED, MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP KICKED OFF PARADE TIME ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO'S ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE.
THE PARADE WAS ALSO AN EXCELLENT WAY TO END MILITARY FAMILIES MONTH (MFM). THE PARADE WAS FUN AND PROVIDED ANOTHER WAY FOR OUR FAMILIES TO GET TOGETHER AND SHARE TIME TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM.
The pictures below show our Army Mom & Son; Chaplain, Dan & Admin. Assistant, Mona posing before the parade kick-off.
SOUTH KOREA
Walter Cade is asking that we all remember to keep South Korea and all of its' military posts in our prayers. The frequency of missile testing is greather than we can imagine. The fact that most of it is unreported in the states is another frustration.
Walter reports that South Korea is on an "Extra High Alert", a fact that brings great distress to our Administrative Assistant Mona Bennett. Please include Walter & Diane Cade, and Mona his "big sister" in your prayers.
FAMILY & FRIENDS CONNECTED, MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP CONTINUES TO THANK DIANE & WALTER CADE FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ASSISTING OHIO'S TROOPS. DIANE AND WALTER CADE ARE WITH THE US ARMY, STATIONED IN SOUTH KOREA.
IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN
THE NAVY RESERVE NEWSLETTER CONTINUES TO BE READ IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, BRINGING UPDATES ON FAMILY & FRIENDS CONNECTED, MILITARY SUPPORT GROUP.
WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON OUR INTER-NATIONAL HAPPENINGS.
THE GRATITUDE SIGN FOR OUR MILITARY
This is good...just a 30 second video!
Have you ever seen one of our military members walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how or felt kind of awkward?
Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a movement to get the word out.
Please everyone, take just a moment to watch...The Gratitude Campaign...and then tell all of your friends about it.
THEN START USING THE SIGN.
Type the following in your web browser:
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php
Submitted by: Ruth Huxtable
FREEDOM HOUSE
As you have read previously we have a family that makes donations to Freedom House, a place for homeless veterans. These trips take place twice a week and include 5 boxes of breads, cakes and all types of sweets for the veterans. These baked goods are all donated in the name of Family & Friends Connected Military Support Group. The following is a copy of a letter from Matt Slater, Program Manager of Freedom House, dated June 22, 2009.
Dear _______,
I would like to thank you for your help delivering food to the Freedom House. We receive these gifts to provide service to veterans who are facing a housing crisis. No goods or services were provided in return for this contribution.
Freedom House is the only shelter in Portage County that provides emergency shelter to homeless veterans. The individuals we serve will benefit from your generosity.
I thank you for recognizing the great need our community has to serve homeless veterans. Your support is needed and appreciated as we serve those who hope for a place to call their own.
Gratefully,
Matthew Slater
Freedom House, Program Manager I
this site is for
OUR
Families,
We hope you enjoy it also. Visit often, as we will feature different Families and various items of interest.
Family & Friends Connected, Military Support Group is actually a large family. A very LARGE family that grows weekly.We are a strong family "Standing in the Gap", for everyone who has served, or is now serving in the United States Armed Forces - Stateside and Abroad.
We will continue "Standing in the Gap", not only until the last person comes home, BUT also - until the last Military Family needs us. For we are all standing on "Common Ground".
Seen below, is Dr. David Yonas at the April meeting.
FROM DAVID YONAS,
Resilience is the lifelong task of learning to cope with positive and negative experiences in ways that help us adjust and deal with what life presents to us.
RESILIENT PEOPLE
Maintain hope
Make decisions based on their values and beliefs
Take care of themselves, in order to care for others
Solve problems and meet challenges. When feelings are strong, share feelings, then focus on what to do and what thoughts are helpful and develop realistic goals.
Decide what they have control over and address those issues. Things over which they have no control are put into the hands of a "higher power."
Do not try to be perfect (besides, you were not going to be loved for being perfect, anyway.)
Practice good interpersonal skills: be kind, do good deeds.
Avoid seeing a problem as a failure or a crisis as an impossible event.
Limit the amount of negative information in their lives. For example, do not watch the news all the time.
Are empathetic but do not take responsibility for others' feelings about things they cannot do anything about.
Listen and communicate and share. It is better to say things in such a way that they can be understood rather than focusing only on being "right".
Accept people for who they are. Some people may be too fearful or negative in certain situations. Focus on more than immediate concerns.
Connect with others: do not allow yourself to feel isolated.
Change "negative scripts" (thoughts and behavior patterns): focus on greater "truths" or alternatives and possibilities. Be realistically optimistic.
Use their support system, such as people who are there for you or your spiritual resources. Turn to others who are objective. Be a part of something bigger than yourself. Do not do to others what you would not want done to you (for example: give up, judge).
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING DR. YONAS, PLEASE CONTACT SAUNDRA DIRECTLY, VIA E-MAIL OR TELEPHONE.
homecoming after deployment:
tips for reunions
For Soldiers:
Acknowledge the good things your family has accomplished.
Take time each day to talk with your spouse and children or members of your household.
Go slowly when reestablishing your place in the family. Ask how to get more involved. Discuss roles and how things are different.
Go easy on partying or "making up for lost time."
Be less critical of yourself and others.
For Spouses:
Do not try to please everyone; give a thought to your own needs.
Avoid scheduling too many activities; ask what your partner would like.
Go slowly in making adjustments; maintain routines.
It is OK if you need time apart at first; don't rush things.
Discuss and negotiate responsibilities.
Be patient with yourself and your partner.
For Children:
Go slowly. Adapt to the rules and routines already in place.
Let the child set the pace for getting to know you again. Do not tolerate rudeness.
Delay making changes in rules and routines for a few weeks.
Encourage children to tell you about what happened during the separation. Ask them what their lives are like, as you would for any family member.
Panera's Bread
689 Howe Road
1166 Frederick Blvd
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44320
ph: (330) 864-1772
fax: (330) 867-7051
alt: (330) 867-7051
bennett
