3/2021 Fort Campbell Life by Creative ink

Postal Customer

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 7 FORT CAMPBELL KY

A look inside...

Incredible Kids Day

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

International Women’s Day

Life Hacks

National Nutrition Month

Vision Board

Editor Alex Zapetis

Contributors Dave Marshall Joyce Ann Acosta Jennifer Hartman

Publisher

Creative ink

Creative Director Sears Hallett

Advertising

Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com

Photography http//:www.mixthatdrink.com Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 5, 11, 19, 20, 22, 23, 27 Unsplash pg: 6, 7, 8, 11 Dreamstime Photo pg: 25, 26

Hello Everyone! Spring time is right around the corner. Who else is excited? I can’t wait for the sunshine and warmer weather. We have some great stories for you this month! If you are looking for some delicious Irish recipes for St. Patrick’s Day, want to learn how to make a vision board, or learn about some incredible kids, then look no further! This is the issue for you. Be sure to also check out the history of some remarkable women in the military. They are truly inspiring. Stay Safe!

Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com

Like us and share on Facebook facebook.com/fortcampbelllife 3

tOur children are all remarkable in their own way. As a parent, it truly is an honor to sit back and watch them do amazing things every single day. That is why on the third Thursday of every March, we get to celebrate Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. To help celebrate this cool occasion, we wanted to shine the light on some fantastic kids that currently call Fort Campbell home. 5

“My son Jarred is remarkable because his favorite thing about Christmas is when we go out and pass out care packages to the homeless. He loves stuffing the bags and handing them out to these individuals. We have done it for a few years now, and he loves it more and more each time.” Jarred, age 9 “My daughter Sophie is remarkable because she is truly the only reason I have made it through this pandemic. She has stepped up and helped her little brother with virtual schooling while also completing her own.” Sophie, age 15 “Hayley is remarkable because she enjoys cooking dinner for the entire family almost every single night. After a long day at work, cooking is often the last thing I want to do. But Hayley loves it and spoils me.” Hayley, age 14

“Connor is amazing at making everyone around him smile. If he sees you crying, he will make it his mission to get you to smile again. He will take your face in his little hands and give you a huge smile and hug.” Connor, age 4 “Lizzie, my daughter, is the biggest book worm I have ever met. She can read an entire book in like 12 hours. Once she locks in, there is no stopping her. It is incredible.” Lizzie, age 16 “I fell and hurt my back a few months ago, and my daughter stepped up and started helping me with her baby sister almost automatically. I do not know what I would have done without her. Ava, Mommy loves you!” Ava, age 7 6

“My family likes to take walks every weekend, and my son will bring a trash bag and our trash tongs and help pick up trash that we see along the way. We never asked for him to start doing it. He just really likes saving the environment.” Karson, age 8 “Tyler is remarkable because he always does any task he sets his mind to. He has already learned how to play guitar and is now working on learning to play the piano.” Tyler, age 13 “Emma is my little ray of sunshine. She is remarkable just based on her personality alone. That child is always smiling and giggling and bringing joy to others.” Emma, age 2

“Whenever my husband deploys, my daughter always does things to help lighten my workload around the house. She also finds small ways to make me smile. One day she covered my bathroom mirror with sweet sticky notes.” Greta, age 9 “Harry is amazing because he embraces every single move that the Army has thrown our way. He always looks at the positives and makes friends right away. I am amazed by how quickly he bounces back after every PCS.” Harry, age 12 “My daughter is an amazing artist and creates beautiful pictures that take my breath away. I do not know where her talent comes from. She didn’t get it from me or her Father!” Rhaina, age 11 “My son started walking at only 7 months old. I thought it was mind-blowing. Seeing his little chubby legs just moving was insane. I didn’t even know babies could walk that young.” Barrett, age 2 “Zander is one of the sweetest little boys that I have ever met. He has a heart of gold. His little brother was having a nightmare the other night, and he insisted that his baby brother lay on his chest. He wanted to be the one to calm him down. It warmed my heart.” -Zander, age 3. “Dexter is almost 6 years old. He is the oldest of 3, he is also a son of dual military family along with veterans from both sides of the family. Dexter is so incredible and smart. He has learned to read completely and is a math genius. His gentle heart and welcoming smile is just the topper on the cake.” -Dexter, age 5. “Penny is 8 years old and a huge animal lover. Every year for her birthday, she uses some of her birthday money to buy food to donate to the local animal shelters.” -Penny, age 8 “Jackie is amazing at science and uses her free time to tutor friends and classmates. She gets nothing out of it, but she still does it so she can help others.” -Jackie, age 16 “Gregory is 4 years old and always makes sure that his baby sister has her snacks first. If I give him his drink or crackers first, he will hand it to his little sister instead.” -Gregory, age 4 8

Every now and then, you need a moment to take a step back and breathe. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can quickly become overwhelming, and if you do not take a second to relax, you can begin to feel like you are drowning. That is why spa days are so important. You get to treat your body and thank it for getting you around during your day to day. Unfortunately, spa days can get expensive. But, have no fear, you can create a great one right in the comforts of your own home. This is how it can be done!

First things first, be sure to grab a soft and comfy robe to wear around your house. Crank up some relaxing tunes, bring your favorite snack and drink into your spa area, and prepare to pamper yourself. Creating the perfect playlist ahead of time can help ensure you are never having to run to your phone to change the song. For the best spa feeling, seclude yourself in your master bedroom and bathroom area and turn on your essential oil diffuser. As the smell of lavender fills the space, you can shut the door and separate yourself from the rest of the world for a bit. If you have a bathtub, fill it up with warm water, and light some candles. Deciding what to put into your bath is a personal preference. Some recommendations include a nice bubble bath, an herbal bath bomb, or even some Bentonite Clay. Bentonite Clay can help remove toxins from your body and creates a detoxing effect.

After the bath has relaxed you and opened your pores, slap on a moisturizing face mask. Since most masks need to sit on your skin for a bit, it is the perfect opportunity to focus on giving yourself a manicure and pedicure. 11

Using cuticle oil and foot scrubs can turn your winter feet flip-flop ready in no time. Be sure to file and buff before painting your piggies that nice shade of pink. Using a topcoat will help it stay on as long as possible. If you find your hair needing a little help, mix up an amazing DIY hair mask. All you need is 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Mix it, and let it sit in your hair for 45 minutes to an hour before washing it out. Your hair will come out silky smooth and shiny. After your shower, it is time for the massage. Ahead of time, pick up a deep tissue body massager. They can retail for around $30 and are perfect to work out sore leg and back muscles. They help work away all stress-induced knots. Lastly, If you are feeling extra brave and want to finish out your spa day with silky smooth legs, try creating your very own DIY sugar wax! All you need is 1 cup organic raw cane sugar,

2 tablespoons of raw honey, 1/3 cup water, and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice. In a small pan, heat your water and lemon juice before adding in your honey and sugar. Keep stirring and reduce the heat to a simmer until the mixture is smooth and golden in color. Then, transfer the mixture to a glass container. Finally, to use the wax, scoop out a chunk of it while it is warm and stretch it with your hands. You will continue to do this until it turns opaque and can be rolled into a ball. You will then smoosh the ball of sugar against your skin making sure it is against the direction of hair growth. Just hold your skin tight and yank the wax away from your skin in the direction of hair growth. You can stretch the wax and reuse it until it is no longer sticky.

It’s the invisible war. A battle fought inside the minds of veteran and active duty service members alike who have been subjected to things no person should have to endure. It rages on for the Family and friends of soldiers who worry every day about the well-being of their loved one and must resume their lives with the same loved ones who return home changed from the scenes of their tours. It’s the invisible war. But it’s a war to be won and winning that war is precisely the mission of SAFE. “There are things that veterans and their families deal with that most of us don’t know about,” said the Rev. Jodi McCullah, who is the co-founder for SAFE. “And we’re trying to help them realize that ‘Hey, we get it, we understand. We know how hard it is and we know you’re dealing with things you may not know how to deal with.’” A U.S. Army veteran herself, McCullah helped found SAFE, an acronym for Soldiers And Families Embraced, which began as the Lazarus Project in 2011. They offer counseling free of charge and are confidential so soldiers who seek help do not have to disclose their sessions and risk a negative impact to their military career. McCullah said the program began as a way to fill the gap in mental health programs where long lines and waiting lists had hurt those seeking immediate help from other military-centric clinics. “In 2011, there were a lot of folks who were family members and veterans struggling to find services quickly, so we determined that we needed to help them free of charge and without insurance,” she said. SAFE has served around 1,500 clients since the program’s inception, with around 300 hours of counseling provided each month, according to McCullah. McCullah said the support from the organizations surrounding Fort Campbell has been invaluable to SAFE’s success. “What we found was there was a community of people who were more than willing to help, they just didn’t know how to help. They would say ‘We see that our neighbors are hurting, how can we help?’” she said. “So we were able to say ‘Here’s a way you can help’ and people were very eager to do that.” Though SAFE has enjoyed a degree of success since the creation of the program, McCullah said it is an extremely expensive non-profit organization since it requires employing professionally-trained counselors. To donate to the organization, visit www.SoldiersAndFamiliesEmbraced.org/donate.html. The program provides counseling services to all ages and does not turn anyone away who needs help. To set up an appointment with SAFE, call their main office at 931-591-3241. You can also visit the SAFE website for more information at www.SoldiersAndFamilesEmbraced.org. The SAFE main office is located at 1812 Haynes Street in Clarksville. For more information on the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fortcampbellspousesclub/ or their website https://www.fortcampbellspousesclub.org/. 14

Irish Car Bomb 3/4 pint Guinness stout 1/2 shot Baileys Irish Cream 1/2 shot Jameson Irish Whiskey

Shady Lady Drink 1 ounce white tequila 1 ounce Midori 4 ounces white grapefruit juice

Pour the Baileys Irish Cream into a shot glass, followed by the Jameson Irish Whiskey. Next, pour your Guinness into a beer mug. Let the foam settle. Drop the Baileys/Jameson shot glass into the Guinness. Drink fast.

Just build the ingredients in a highball glass, and garnish with lime and a cherry. Easy-peasy!

Drink recipes and photos courtesy of https://www.mixthatdrink.com

Sweet Tart 3 4 3 4

⁄ ounce vodka ⁄ ounce Midori Splash of sour mix Splash of 7-Up Irish Coffee 1 1⁄2 ounces Irish whiskey 6 ounces of hot, strong coffee Whipped cream Optional: 3⁄4 ounce Irish cream, or a teaspoon of brown sugar

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the ingredients. Shake well and strain into an old-fashioned glass.

St. Patty’s Day Recipes This Saint Patrick’s Day be sure to dress head to toe in green attire and jump right into the kitchen. This year is the perfect time to try out some new and delicious dishes straight from Ireland! Trying new cuisine is always a treat, and who knows, you may find your new favorite recipe. Classic Irish Soda Bread 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt • 3 tablespoons cold cubed butter 2 large eggs • 3⁄4 cup buttermilk • 1⁄3 cup raisins Begin by preheating your oven to 375°. Mix all of your dry ingredients. Squish in your butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, blend 1 egg and buttermilk. Lastly, mix all of your ingredients together and stir until well incorporated. Shape your dough into a nice round loaf and place on a greased baking sheet. Be sure to make a few cuts into the top of the loaf. Top with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Easy Potato Rolls 2 packages active dry yeast • 1-1⁄3 cups warm water 1 cup warm plain mashed potatoes • 2⁄3 cup sugar 2 ⁄3 cup shortening • 2 large eggs, room temperature 2-1⁄2 teaspoons salt • 6 to 6-1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour Begin by dissolving your yeast in 2/3 cup warm water. In a separate bowl, combine mashed potatoes, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt, remaining 2/3 cup water, yeast mixture, and 2 cups flour. Then, beat until smooth. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough. Shape in a ball and place into a greased bowl. Allow to sit and rise for 1 hour. Once your dough has doubled in size, punch down dough. Acting quickly, shape your dough into palm-sized balls. Place in a greased pan. Once again, let your dough rise in a warm place until doubled. Preheat oven to 375°, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Lemon and Herb Baked Cod 3 tablespoons lemon juice • 3 tablespoons of melted butter 1 ⁄4 cup all-purpose flour • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄4 teaspoon paprika • 1⁄4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning 4 cod fillets • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest Begin by preheating your oven to 400°. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice and butter, then set aside. In a separate shallow bowl, mix all your dry ingredients. Cover your cod fillets in lemon juice mixture, and then coat directly with your flour mixture. Grease your baking pan and place your coated cod fillets on the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes. Top with remaining lemon juice and parsley. 19

by: Jennifer Hartman The pandemic has changed the way we see traditional instruction. It has also changed the way we view our careers. Many employers are now looking for at-home workers but are seeking those that have the right skills and education required to succeed. The first step to finding legitimate work from home jobs is to equip yourself with the career knowledge and certifications you need. Austin Peay State University can assist. Use your Credentialing Assistance or MyCAA dollars to get the education you need to land the perfect career! The Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) program provides up to $4000 in funding to active-duty Soldiers for courses and exams leading to an industry-recognized academic or vocational credential. This voluntary program allows current soldiers to pursue civilian credentials, licenses, and certifications to enhance skills in an area beyond their military occupational specialty (MOS). The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Grant Program is a DOD educational workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing licenses, certificates, certifications or Associates degrees in a portable career field and occupation. You can begin your career in one of these popular work-from-home jobs in less than a year: Medical Transcriptionist - A medical transcriptionist is an integral Child Care Provider – A child care provider is familiar with the part of a healthcare team. Transcriptionists must be familiar with development and management of a child daycare center, including the terminology used in every medical specialty and must be able such elements as child development theories, legal to produce the documents and reports required by each specialty considerations, bookkeeping, staffing, site management, and in a professional and competent manner. Salary* - $33,380 parental involvement. Salary* - $24,230 Social Media Strategist – A social media strategist understands the foundations of social media technologies, communication methods and how to engage consumers using various tools. Social media is used in every business setting, boosts brand recognition, and helps companies achieve organizational goals. Salary* - $46,800 Bookkeeping Administration – Bookkeepers have a solid understanding of business and financial accounting and its role in bookkeeping administration. Bookkeepers provide analysis of business transactions, record procedures using ledgers and journals, handle all accounting for sales and purchases, manage cash, perform payroll, and prepare and analyze basic financial statements. Salary* - $41,230 Digital Marketing Specialist - Traditional marketing methods alone are not enough to efficiently drive lead generation and sales. As the digital economy experiences major growth, the demand for skilled digital marketing professionals is significant and growing. Salary* - $46,800

Web Developer – A web developer has the foundational knowledge to develop basic web sites using Hypertext Markup Language version 5 (HTML5) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Web developers understand coding, Java Script, and the functionality of web pages. Salary* - $73,760 Medical Billing and Coding – Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data. This includes compiling, computing, and recording billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data for billing purposes. Healthcare positions are in-demand and rapidly growing. Salary* - $42,630 Network and Computer Systems Administrator - As an IT support role, the Network and Computer Systems Administrator will utilize skills learned in A+, Network+, and Security+ to administer the day-to-day operation of computer networks. Demand for information technology workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology and mobile networks. Salary* - $83,510

Austin Peay State University has your solutions for Self-Paced Online and Live Online Instructor Led Training: https://apsu.theknowledgebase.org/ • Soldiers visit: http://CA.ProTrainEdu.org Military Spouses visit: https://apsums.theknowledgebase.org/mycaa For more information you can also email: info@protrainedu.org * Average salary information based on BLS data

Did you know that every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Woman’s Day? It is a day to celebrate the many achievements of women, as well as rally for equality for women. There is no better way to shed some light on this day than by sharing some of the amazing and groundbreaking achievements made by women in the US Military. Harriet Tubman She is a household name for many reasons, but many people do not know she served as a nurse for Union regiments before moving on to a larger role as spymaster and military scout. Harriet Tubman also gathered locals throughout conquered areas in the South to pass details to Union commanders and assist in assault preparations. Cathay Williams Pvt. Cathay Williams began her military journey as a support role in the Civil War due to her enslaved status. When the war came to an end, Williams was the first black female to enlist in the US Army. She did this by joining under a male pseudonym, William Cathay, in 1866. She was assigned to the 38th U.S. Infantry Regiment, which would become part of the famed Buffalo Soldiers, making her the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Mary A. Hallaren Col. Mary Hallaren will forever be remembered for being a member of the first training class of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps in 1942. She went on to command the largest all-female unit to serve overseas. Mary later became the first commissioned officer in the Regular Army that was not a medical role in 1948. Linda Bray Capt. Linda Bray participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989. There she led the 988th Military Police Company and became the first woman to command American soldiers in battle. Bray’s miraculous role forced the U.S. military to reevaluate their prohibition on women in a combat role. Ann E. Dunwoody U.S. Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody became the first woman to ever gain a four-star officer rank in the history of the United States military in 2008. She is also known for being the first woman to command a battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division during the First Gulf War in 1992.

Sometimes you stumble across an idea that changes your life forever. A once difficult daily task is flipped upside down and made simple again. You are often left wondering “How did I never think of that?” Well, today we are here to make that happen by sharing a few mind-blowing and useful life hacks. Trust us, you will want to try a few of these out. Keep a Health Card in Your Wallet Unfortunately, accidents happen every day, and emergency services are called. You may not always be conscious to provide valuable information such as blood type, allergies, emergency contacts, and current medications. Write all of this information on the back of an old business card and keep it in a visible location in your wallet. The paramedics fighting to save your life will thank you. Multi-Use Dustpan Are you needing to fill a large bucket of water, but do not have access to a hose or tub? Instead, flip around a clean dustpan and angle the handle down so that the water will flow down the dustpan and out the handle straight into your bucket. Kitchen Clothes Hanger Did you break out Grandma’s cookbook and can’t seem to keep it open while cooking? Grab an old pants clothes hanger and clip your cookbook to it. After the book is secure, hang it on your cabinets for easy viewing!

Muffin Tin Revamp If you want to serve burgers at your next BBQ, consider bringing a muffin tin with you. Dispensing your condiments into each muffin tin not only cuts down on dishes, but it allows all your condiments to be in one area. Color-Coded Keys Are you tired of flipping through your keyring to locate a specific key? Instead, grab a few different shades of nail polish and color-code your keys. Cleaning Supply Storage Makeover Are you tired of your cleaning products being tossed under the kitchen sink? Instead, hang an over the door shoe rack onto your laundry room door for an easy and organized way to store your cleaning supplies. Cord Chaos Whenever you move, there always seems to be a box of cords that become a big, tangled mess before you have a chance to arrive at your next destination. To prevent this, grab some old toilet paper rolls and place them snugly inside each roll. Be sure to label what each cord goes too! Iced Coffee Hack Do you love to sip on iced coffee, but are tired the ice cubes watering down your beverage? Just grab an ice cube tray and freeze some coffee cubes to prevent that. Finding Lost Jewelry Dropping small earring backs or studded earrings can be a nightmare. You feel like you look for hours. To make things easier, just grab your vacuum, a rubber band, and some pantyhose. Secure the pantyhose with the rubber band around your vacuum hose and move it around the area that you lost your item. It should get picked up in no time. Remote Location Always losing your remote? Place some Velcro strips on your coffee table as well as your remotes for a secure remote location. No more searching. Mess-Free Breakfast Pancakes are delicious but incredibly messy to make. Trying to spoon out the perfect amount of batter often leads to drips and leaks everywhere. Instead, clean out an old ketchup bottle and then place your dry mix and water inside. After giving it a good shake, you can easily dispense your mixture by giving the bottle a little squeeze. If you have extras, toss it in the fridge to use the next morning. 24

March is National Nutrition Month, and it is all about helping the world grow its interest in healthy eating and nutrition. This year’s theme is Personalize Your Plate, which will be used to promote creating nutritious meals that meet individuals' cultural and personal food preferences. Eating nutritious foods does not have to be bland and boring. There are so many personalized recipes that you can still create by making healthier switches. Introducing these gradual changes into your everyday diet can really start to add up. Before you know it, you could be reducing your daily intake of sugars, fats, and calories without even noticing a change. It all starts when you are creating that grocery list. If you need ideas on where to start with your healthy swaps, here are a few swaps that you can try out this week! Use Greek Yogurt instead of Sour Cream Greek Yogurt: 2 Tablespoons Fage 2% Greek, 27.5 calories Sour Cream: 2 Tablespoons Daisy Sour Cream, 60 calories Try Halo Top Ice Cream Instead of Regular Full Fat Ice Cream Halo Top: ½ Cup Halo Top Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough 90 calories Leading Brand: ½ Cup Chip Cookie Dough, 280 calories Grease Up with Olive Oil Spray instead of Regular Olive Oil Olive Oil Spray: 5 calories a spray Tablespoon of Olive Oil: 120 Calories Use Peanut Butter Powder instead of Regular Peanut Butter PB2: 50 Calories (can be rehydrated to make it spreadable!) Regular Peanut Butter: 190 Calories per serving Popped Chips instead of Fried Barbecue Popped Chips: 17 chips for 100 calories Lay’s Barbecue Chips: 15 chips for 160 calories

Go Light on the Juice Simply Light Orange: 50 calories per serving Tropicana Pure Premium Original: 110 calories per serving Have You Tried Cauliflower Rice? Riced Cauliflower: 30 calories for ¾ cup White Rice: 206 Calories per cup

Ground Chicken instead of Ground Beef Ground Chicken: 170 Calories per serving Ground Beef: 215 calories per serving

Are you wanting to play a few harmless pranks on your family members this April Fool’s Day? If so, we have a few funny ones to try out on the 1st! Nothing beats a hilarious prank every once in a while. These 10 pranks are quick, easy, and safe. Do you see one that you want to give a go?

1. Replace the doughnuts in a Krispy Kreme box with carrots and celery. Surprise, no sweet treats for you. 2. Place bubble wrap under the rug. They will be confused about what that popping sound is for hours. Pop pop pop! 3. Freeze a bowl of cereal and milk with the spoon submerged the night before. They will be wondering why they cannot get the spoon out. 4. Place confetti on your ceiling fan! There will be a surprise when it is turned on. The shinier the better. 5. Replace family photos around the house with photos of celebrities. How long do you think it will take them to notice? 6. Hide a walkie talkie somewhere in the house and randomly make weird noises into it throughout the day. 7. Announce you made brownies, but instead place brown E’s made of construction paper all in the baking pan. 8. Stuff random shoes around the house with toilet paper and tie the shoestrings together. 9. Tape a fake bug inside of the lamp shade. The bigger the fake cockroach the better. 10. Run in and tell them they are late for school or work, even when they are right on time. 26

Getting your life goals all planned out and on paper can feel so freeing. It helps you get on track to make all of your dreams come true. But, did you know that making life plans can also be a fun craft and keepsake? That is right! Creating a vision board is not only super fun and efficient, but it is an incredible item to store away and reflect on years down the road. 1. Determine the theme and make a list. What do you want your vision board to include? Is it your dream wedding? Dream vacation goals? What do you want to achieve in one year? Two years? Ten years? Grab your notebook and a pencil and begin writing down what you will want on your board. A few awesome categories to consider adding to your board are; Career • Travel • Family • Relationships • Health • Skills/Knowledge Dream Possessions 2. Gather your supplies. In order to create a vision board, you will need a few supplies. It is nothing a quick run to Walmart cannot fix! You will need; Posterboard • Magazines • Scissors • Glue sticks • Paper and pen • Sharpies 3. Plan out the placement. Sitting down and figuring out where to place the cutout magazine pictures and quotes on your board will ensure your board is easy to read as months go by. For example, place your family goals in the top right corner and color code them with green. Place your career goals in the top left corner, and color code it with blue! 4. Cut out your pictures. This is many people's favorite part of creating a vision board. It is now time to sit down, flip through your magazines, and get to cutting! Finding the images that reflect your goals can get tricky, so be sure to pick up as many magazines as you can find so you have a wider variety of options. Do not forget, you can always print out photographs for your board as well. 5. Arrange and Glue. After you have found all your images, be sure to lay them out before gluing them down. You want to make sure that the flow of your board is clean and visually appealing. When arranged correctly, get to gluing. 6. Display and view. Display your board in a place that you visit frequently. It is the perfect motivation to keep you on track when you are feeling a little down on yourself. It is a great kick-starter and motivator every single morning.

Looking for ways to get involved? Volunteer with the USO! Visit volunteers.uso.org to get started. March Upcoming Programs : March 2nd- Dr. Seuss Day March 9th- Virtual Coffee Connections March 16th- Healthy Kids, Healthy Families | Indoor Active Gaming March 25th- Serving Heroes Family Meal Give Away

All USO services are complimentary to active duty, guard and reserve service members. Check out their webpage for more details about upcoming programming! Fortcampbell.uso.org

One year ago, this month, the United States began seeing the effects of Covid-19. Back then, we would have never imagined that we would still be battling this virus today. It has profoundly changed the world and how we handle day to day tasks. That is why we wanted to know “How has your life changed in the last year?” “I got Covid back in August and was without my taste for 2 months. Everything was so bland. When I finally regained my sense of taste, I found a newfound appreciation for flavors and cooking. I started making homemade recipes and discovered a true passion of mine.” Gina M. “I lost my job at the beginning of the shutdown and was unemployed for months. It was a terrifying time. It has shown me the importance of budgeting and having an emergency fund. Since finding a new job, we are dedicated to setting aside money every month for our emergency fund. I never want to experience that fear of having nothing to fall back on ever again.” Lindsey P. “Covid has opened my eyes and gave me a huge appreciation for our educational system. Many families depend so heavily on it, and when it is gone, a lot of people suffer.” Penny T. “My job transferred to working remotely, and even when things started opening back up, we all decided to stay remote. It is so much better for all of my team member’s mental health. Not having to wear stuffy business clothes and make those early morning commutes has been lifechanging.” Stacy H. “I have realized how dirty the world used to be. It is crazy to me how much healthier I have been this year. I have caught fewer colds, stomach bugs, etc because everyone is washing their hands and covering their mouths. I will be keeping some of these hygiene habits once Covid is over” Rebecca H.

“Quarantine caused my family to grow closer together. We used to be so busy coming and going, we never got to spend time together. We now have new family games, and it feels like we are all so much closer.” Keja J. “I picked up a new hobby that I adore. I started baking bread! It has saved us a ton of money over the last year, and I have gotten to play with many new flavors and designs.” Eva N. “I lost my Grandma due to this virus. If her death has taught me anything, it is to appreciate every single moment that you have with your loved ones. You never know when it could be your last.” Lura B. “It is sad, but I have learned to trust no one, and to always stay prepared. People were clearing shelves and starting fights over toilet paper. Stay stocked up and prepared for emergencies because the entire world goes insane.” Zoey G. “My son was diagnosed with a learning disability that may have gone unnoticed if I hadn’t been there during his remote learning classes. I believe that us discovering this will help him educationally for the rest of his life. That is one thing I am thankful for in this entire mess.” Ally S.

“We had a quarantine baby! So this past year has forever changed our lives. I got pregnant in April 2020 and our little girl is so perfect.” Holly M.

“I lost my job and became a stay-at-home mom. I have honestly really enjoyed it and all the extra bonding time that I get to have with my children. Even when my job reopened, I decided to just stay home with my children for a little bit longer. It is working for us.” Brittany K.

“With interest rates dropping low due to Covid, my husband and I finally decided to buy our first home. It is our dream home, and I feel like we will enjoy it for many years to come.” Casey A.

“We used the two stimulus checks to completely pay off our car loan! It is nice to no longer be paying that car payment every month. It has given us a little wiggle room in our budget to start a savings account.” Rachel G.