You are here: Home / Archives for Military Families

Sam’s Club Donation Drive

May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Military Missions has scheduled an upcoming donation drive for June 1 and June 2 at the Sam’s Club on New Circle Rd in Lexington. This donation drive is one of our very important events as it brings in many of the needed items which enable us to send care packages to our growing list of deployed troops.

In order to man our donation table at Sam’s Club, we need YOUR help. If you have a couple hours to spare, we hope that you will consider finding a way to come out and help us.

We appreciate any sacrifice that you can make to help us man the donation table. Remember the sacrifice being made for each of us by our deployed troops and their families.

We need volunteers to work the following shifts:

Saturday 6/1/13

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

2:00 pm  to 4:00 pm

Sunday 6/2/13

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

We are also in need of a couple of drivers with a pick up truck, minivan, or SUV to help deliver the booth supplies to Sam’s on Saturday morning and help with set up between 9:30 – 10:00 AM that morning, as well as someone to help us get the donations from Sam’s Club to our office at Millpond center on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm.

If you can help, please send Ginny an email to volunteer@military-missions.org or call Barbara at 859-221-9477 as soon as possible.

As always, we are extremely grateful for your support of our troops through Military Missions, Inc.

Filed Under: Care Packages, Events, Military Families, Military Support, Volunteers Tagged With: , , ,

A Seat of Honor: Giving Thanks for our Military

November 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, most of us will stop and count our blessings.  Many of us will count living in the United States of America and all the freedoms that come with our citizenship as one of our biggest blessings, but most of us will not feel the sacrifices made for that blessing on a personal level.

For those who have a loved one serving, there will be an empty seat at the table. There will be a missing smile and a void that no one can replace while their loved one is deployed.

For many families, the smile and presence of their hero will be only a memory because their loved one gave their life so that we can continue to live in a free nation and celebrate this annual holiday.

As we pause to give thanks for all of our blessings, let’s set an extra place at our tables this year in honor of those who serve.

Let’s give that place setting the seat of honor at the head of our tables.

Let’s remember that while we are gathered with family and friends, there are many who stand watch over us and our families and ensure that we can continue to celebrate our freedoms and our blessings each year.

We also ask that you consider showing your gratitude by making a donation to ensure that each of the deployed troops on our list can receive a package for Christmas.

Our staff at Military Missions Inc is made up completely of volunteers.  No one gets paid, so every dime of your donation goes to ensure a package gets into the hands of each hero on our list.

You can donate right from our website via Paypal. You can also mail us a check, or you can stop by our office and make a cash donation.

Here are a few of the faces of those who have received our packages.

Thank you for your continued support of our troops through Military Missions Inc. It is our honor to be able to partner with you in this way.

On behalf of Military Missions Inc., we want to thank each one who is currently serving, and all who have worn the uniform in the past.  We also want to thank the families who serve here on the homefront.

We are forever grateful for your service and your sacrifice.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: Deployment, Military Families, Military Support, Updates, Veteran Family Support, Veterans Tagged With: , , ,

Gold Star Mother’s Day

September 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

September 30, 2012 is Gold Star Mother’s Day. Please take a moment to remember the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed in the United States on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.

Filed Under: Fallen Heroes, Military Families, Military Parents, Updates Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What is Run for the Fallen

August 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

5TH ANNUAL RUN FOR THE FALLEN, LEXINGTON KY

AUG. 25, 2012 at 9am (rain or shine) – Registration at 8:30am  at Beaumont Centre, 1152 Monarch St.

Does it ever seem like most people have forgotten about the sacrifices made by our military? Perhaps the loss of so many lives hasn’t gone unnoticed, but most Americans can’t really say that the loss of American troops has been life changing for them personally.

There is one family, however, who has done more than just give our fallen heroes a little bit of thought. The Koshy family of Lexington, Kentucky, has been giving back in a pretty unusual way. Back in 2008, Jonathan Koshy was a sixteen year old high school student living in Lexington, Kentucky, who noticed the lack of attention and concern for our fallen heroes.

Jonathan doesn’t have a family member serving in the military, but he had enough sense to realize that he lives in a free country. He realized that he has rights and privileges because of the many who willingly stand in the gap for each of us on a daily basis.

His parents have obviously done a remarkable job of teaching their children about this great nation’s history and those who have fought to make this American Dream a reality for the rest of us. Jonathan wanted to do something to make a difference and raise awareness in the Lexington community. In his search for a way to bring the sacrifice of our military and their families to our attention, he came across the Run for the Fallen.

What is Run for the Fallen? Beginning on Flag Day, June 14, 2008, a dedicated team of runners ran across America from Fort Irwin, California, to Arlington National Cemetery. Runners traveled one mile for every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, and Marine killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Runners kept the memories of fallen heroes alive and raised awareness for support organizations that help wounded veterans and family members of those that have been killed. For ten weeks, team members marked each mile with an American flag and sign card in an apolitical reflection of remembrance of each service member. On Sunday, August 24, 2008, the team reached the gates of Arlington National Cemetery and honored all fallen service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. All Americans were encouraged to join the team on August 24, and run one mile to honor those who have fought, and those who have fallen under the American flag. Participants in all 50 states posted combined mileage on Run for the Fallen’s website.

What Jonathan started five years ago is now being run by his younger brother, Joshua, who started organizing the event in 2010. Since then, Joshua has been presented with an honorary membership to the Veteran’s Association of the University of Kentucky for his efforts.

Back in 2008, this event began with only forty people showing up to walk/run. It has grown more and more each year. 2009 brought 200 participants. 2010 brought 300 participants, and 2011 brought almost 500. It is our hope that 2012 will bring even more who will come and walk or run one mile in honor of those who have died so that we can live in a free nation.

You can find out more about the event by visiting their website at http://fallenwarriorky.com/ or by contacting Joshua Koshy at RFTFKY@yahoo.com .  We hope you will join the Koshy family and the Military Missions family at Lexington’s 5th annual Run for the Fallen.

Filed Under: Events, Fallen Heroes, Military Families, Military Support, Veterans, Volunteers Tagged With: , ,

Bring Them Home

August 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Over the past few weeks, the Olympics have dominated most of the channels on TV. We have watched as the USA brought home a total of 104 medals, of which 46 were gold. Americans are very proud of the athletes who represented the USA at the Olympics.

What else are we proud of?  Our troops that are fighting for our continued freedom each and every day. Many people have the misunderstanding that all the troops were brought home a few months ago. The confusion was caused by the news headlines when our troops were pulled out of Iraq in December.  However, the truth is, a war is still being fought and more troops continue to deploy overseas.

So, if you happen to hear someone saying the war is over, please inform them that many of our troops are still in Afghanistan and other countries. They are making sacrifices being away from their loved ones and are risking their life every day for us. Military Missions, Inc. would like to say THANK YOU to all of our military, our veterans, and their families for everything they do. We anxiously await the day when all of the troops are brought home safe and sound!

 

Filed Under: Deployment, Military Families, Military Support Tagged With: , , ,

THIS WEEK ~ OPERATION S.E.N.D Care Package Assembly

June 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This Wednesday, June 20th, is our OPERATION S.E.N.D. care package assembly. We will be assembling and packing boxes to send to the many deployed soldiers whose names are on our mailing list. The list of soldiers continues to grow daily but with the sluggish economy and high gas prices, the donations are not keeping up with the growing demand. We can use your help in so many ways!

There are several things you can do to show your support for our troops. You can donate TIME, donate ITEMS, or donate MONEY. Our troops and their families sacrifice so much to serve and protect our country, so please give a little in return.

DONATE YOUR TIME – You can help out during the care package assembly. We will meet from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at our office in Millpond Center, 3650 Boston Rd, Suite 146, Lexington KY 40514. If you plan to participate please send an email to volunteer@military-missions.org or call Barbara at 859-221-9477.

DONATE ITEMS – Check out our donation suggestion list and shop for items on your next shopping trip. The care packages contain essential items like eye drops, foot powder, and socks. You don’t realize how much these items are appreciated when our troops receive them! The items can be dropped off at our office in Millpond Center during office business hours or during the care package assembly.

DONATE MONEY – It costs approximately $11 to mail each care package… that is strictly postage, not including the content cost. Last December, during OPERATION S.E.N.D. CHRISTMAS, Military Missions sent 2,887 packages to deployed soldiers. In addition, there was 2,500 unit bags and boxes sent during the remainder of the year. You can do the math. Monetary donations are ALWAYS needed and very much appreciated. You can make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation directly from our website.

As always, we are extremely grateful for any and all support of our troops through Military Missions, Inc.

MAKE A DONATION ~ MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

 

 

Filed Under: Care Packages, Deployment, Events, Military Families, Military Support, Volunteers Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

June 14th ~ National Flag Day

June 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What is Flag Day? 

 

Anyone?   …  Anyone?  ….

 

We celebrate Flag Day on June 14 and it commemorates the adoption of the United States flag in 1777.  

 

In 1916, it was officially proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson and in 1949 Congress established National Flag Day. However, it is not considered an official federal holiday.

 

The week of June 14 is National Flag Week and U.S.citizens are urged to proudly fly their American flags that entire week…  if you don’t normally have it displayed. Many groups and organizations have parades or other events during this week to celebrate and honor “Old Glory”.

 

That’s the history lesson for today! Be sure to display your flag with pride on Flag Day and every other day!

 

 

Filed Under: Military Families, Military Support Tagged With: ,

A Day to Remember ~ Homecoming from Marine Mom Perspective

June 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

YOU KNOW YOU’RE A MARINE MOM… when the final 2 weeks of your countdown seems to last FOREVER!!
  
Have you ever been involved in a military homecoming?? It is probably the MOST emotional thing I have ever experienced.
You start planning for it as soon as your loved one deploys. The months seem to drag by and the only thing that keeps you going is thinking about that homecoming day. Each day you mark off another square on the calendar… Finally it’s the half way point and you think surely it’ll speed up now… WRONG!
Keep marking off those squares… Now it’s down to 2 months left so it must speed up now… WRONG!
Why are the days going slower and slower!!?? Is there a physics equation that relates to time passing at SNAIL speed??
 
However, now that it’s down to 2 months, you want to start looking at plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, etc. so you’ll have all that lined up and ready to go. Well, let me give you some advice.. don’t get in too much of a hurry just yet. One thing you can rest assured of is that their arrival date will change 15 times before they make it back.
 
Finally, it’s two weeks away!! You are so excited that no one can stand to be around you. You can’t concentrate on work, or anything else for that matter! The feeling of anticipation is indescribable. You’re packing and going over the checklist of things… special homecoming t-shirts “CHECK”… welcome home sign ”CHECK”…  welcome home gift “CHECK”…  camera!! … CANNOT forget the camera. (I had nightmares about forgetting the camera!)
 
At last the day has arrived. Check the hotline every hour on the hour for updates. Arrive at the homecoming location. (Holy cow, there’s a million people here!) Stress levels are high and rising. Finally there is word received that they have landed… wheels are on the ground!! (I still get goosebumps just thinking about it) It’ll be another 2 hours before they arrive at the base… now time is REALLY going at snail speed!
After what seems like days, someone in the crowd yells “I hear motorcycles! They are coming!” The parade comes around the corner and the crowd erupts! The Patriot Rider motorcycles are in the lead, then a few military vehicles, and FINALLY those big white buses! The tears are rolling now!!
 
You’ve seen the tear jerking photos before… couples embracing, new parents holding their babies for the first time, and so on. Well let me tell you straight up… those pictures are very emotional but they are NOTHING in comparison to actually being there! But, that being said, I’ll cherish my photos forever.  (The one above is my son.)
 
If you have been involved in a homecoming before, I hope this article gave you a few goosebumps as you remembered your own. If you have one coming up, buckle up and enjoy the ride! … oh, and most importantly… don’t forget the camera!!  
 
Filed Under: Blog Article Categories, Military Families, Military Parents, Military Spouses Tagged With: , , ,

Military Life – It’s a Family Thing

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Military Life… It’s a Family Thing

If you are reading this and you have a family member in the military, then you know the above statement is true. It not only has an effect on their spouse and kids, but also their parents, siblings, grandparents… and other family and friends.

Now, I’m not saying this is a bad thing…  

For example, your family will develop a strong sense of American pride. I have to admit, pretty much everything in my house is red, white, and blue or flag motif. I was a proud American before but more so now.

Your family will also develop a new kind of respect for the troops that protect our country. They give up so much, go through so much, and put their life on the line for us… Let me say that again…     THEY PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE FOR US.          They deserve our respect and our support. Even if we don’t always support the reason behind it, we need to support the people that are doing it.

So I guess what I’m basically saying is that once you have a loved one in the military, your life will forever be changed. Some changes will be good and some not so good, but hopefully the good will outweigh the bad in the end.

As you can see from the picture I used for this article, even the family pet wants to get involved. I found her trying to stow away in a care package. No one family member knows exactly how the other family members are affected… each person has their own way of coping (this blog article is one of mine) … and their own set of things they worry about…   

But I assure you “it’s a family thing”.

 

~This article was originally posted by author here~

Filed Under: Blog Article Categories, Deployment, Military Families, Military Parents, Military Spouses, Military Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

OPERATION S.E.N.D. Care Package Assembly

May 7, 2012 By 1 Comment

Mark your calendars and join us as we assemble boxes for our upcoming care package mailing on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. We will be meeting from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at our office in Millpond Center, 3650 Boston Road, Suite 146, Lexington, KY 40514. If you plan to participate please send an email to Ginny at volunteer@military-missions.org  or call Barbara at 859-221-9477.

We have had an incredible increase in the number of care package requests. Our list of soldiers is growing every day. With the sluggish economy and high gas prices, we are in great need of donations to meet the need. We hope you will download a copy of our care package suggestion list and plan to donate some items to be included in our packages. We are also in need of monetary donations to cover the costs of shipping. You can donate directly from our website.

Even if you can’t participate in this event you can still support our troops by spreading the word and reposting this event on your Facebook page.

CLICK TO REGISTER

DONATION SUGGESTION LIST

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION

Filed Under: Care Packages, Deployment, Events, Military Families, Military Parents, Military Spouses, Military Support Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Older Posts