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Green Living
Reusable Products
Earth Day 2021
Grilled Cheese Recipes
Spring Cleaning Products
Fort Campbell Pets
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Editor Alex Zapetis
Contributors Dave Marshall Jennifer Hartman Katie Jarvis
Publisher
Creative ink
Creative Director Sears Hallett
Advertising
Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com
Photography
Unsplash pg: 19 http://www.mixthatdrink.com Discovery Park of America Dreamstime Photo pg: Cover, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 3
Hello Everyone, April is finally here! It is one of my favorite months. The weather is gorgeous and it is my birthday month! To celebrate I wanted to bring you some delicious grilled cheese recipes (one of my favorites!) and some cute pet pictures. It doesn’t get any better than that. We focus this month on “Going Green” with tips for you to improve your carbon footprint. This provides great ways to celebrate Earth Day. We also have some cleaning products to check out before you start spring cleaning and much more. Thanks for reading! Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com
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By CynDe Clack
What is Green Living? Green Living (aka Sustainable Living) is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s use of natural and personal resources. You may think that you can’t live green because the cost is prohibitive - but there are ways you can “green up” your lifestyle without having to spend a lot of money you don’t have or live off the grid. One of the first and easiest things to do is to stop your junk mail. Did you know that the average amount of junk mail sent to your home each year can be as much as 69 pounds? Opt for e-newsletters, online catalogs and paperless billing whenever possible. Visit www.DMAchoice.org for details on how to stop receiving direct marketing junk mail; www.optoutprescreen.com to stop receiving pre-approved offers from credit card companies; email: abacusoptout@epsilon.com and include your full name and current address to help control the number of retail catalogs you receive; and for all others, simply contact the company. So, until your opt-out choices start working, what can you do with all the junk mail? Recycle it, compost 5
it (avoid the glossy stuff and any envelopes with plastic) by putting it through the shredder first, mulch it and use around plants, use it as packaging material by crumbling or shredding, use it on the bottom of your bird cage or as bedding for your hamster, or let your kids use it for craft projects. Another easy thing to do is drink tap water. Did you know that bottled water is not required to meet the same standards as municipal water? When you buy bottled water – you don’t really know what you’re getting. Nearly 30 billion plastic water bottles are sold annually in the U.S. with less than 20% of them being recycled. Choose a safe stainless steel refillable water bottle instead. Be sure to select a stainless steel bottle and not an aluminum one. Look on the inside. If it’s aluminum, it will have a plastic liner. If it’s stainless steel, the inside will be smooth metal. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a term that we’ve all heard but what does it really mean? Reducing the amount of waste you bring in and the amount of trash that goes to the landfill is an important part of any green lifestyle.
Eliminating waste usually leads to an elimination of harmful chemicals as well. Reusable items save us money - constantly replacing disposable items costs money! Besides cans and glass bottles, there are all kinds of items that can be recycled. Now that we know what the terms mean, how do we do it? A couple of easy ways you can reduce your waste products are first by purchasing reusable items, then by purchasing items that contain less packaging. When you purchase a small number of items or large bulky items – tell the cashier that you don’t need a shopping bag. You already know about reusable bags and refillable bottles, but have you thought about “Upcycling”? Upcycling is taking something old and crafting it into something new that can be enjoyed again and again. When you plan for recycling, don’t forget about things like books (you can sell, donate or shred and compost), and items like furniture, shoes, clothing, and baby gear can be recycled through both on post or local shelters. Don’t forget to recycle your electronic items that you no longer use. This is known as “e-cycling”. Products such as computers, cell phones and other
electronics are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass – all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. In the U.S., mobile phones account for the largest quantity of used electronics. For every one million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Growing your own vegetables and buying organic products is another option that is always mentioned when talking about Green Living. Gardening gives you a chance to consume healthier foods, spend time outdoors (alone or as a Family), get some exercise, and reuse items that most people simply throw away. There are a number of ways that you can repurpose items as alternative garden pest control methods. • Create a garden slug trap by taking an old aluminum pie tin and bury it up to its lip in the garden. Fill it with stale beer (which the slugs love). The slugs will crawl in for a drink and never crawl out. • Garden slugs, snails, cutworms, caterpillars and other types of crawling
garden pests can also be kept away by spreading crushed eggshells, nut shells, or even used coffee grounds on the surface of the soil surrounding the plants. In addition to keeping the creepy crawlers away, all of these items add nutrients to the soil and naturally decompose. • Protect young stems such as tomatoes from pests by making a collar to place around them. You can use repurposed aluminum foil, newspaper, a cardboard toilet paper tube, or even a tin/aluminum can with both ends opened. The collar should not be touching the stem so it can grow freely. • Anyone who has ever had aphids attack their plants will know that they can kill a plant quickly. Chopping up banana peels and mixing them into the soil around the plants will deter aphids and add potassium to the soil. • You no longer have to sacrifice your most comfortable pair of jeans and favorite shirt in order to make a scarecrow. Anything that will flash and flutter in the breeze will do the job. Try strips of repurposed aluminum foil, strands of old video/audio tapes, aluminum cans or pie plates, or even
old CD’s. Just string them together and fasten them where they can catch the breeze. • Old pantyhose can be repurposed to cover fruits and vegetables – like melons, apples, pears, cucumbers, and zucchini. It keeps insects and birds away from your produce. Just cut an appropriate length of pantyhose, tie it at one end and slip it over the fruits and veggies while they grow. • Many areas have a healthy deer population. How do you keep the deer away from your garden? Human and pet hair scattered around the plants will help. Or you can tie slivers of soap in a worn out length of pantyhose and hang it from trees and shrubs. These are just a few of the tips that I found for Green Living. Many thanks to these websites for the information I found - check them out: www.epa.gov, www.sustainablebabysteps.com, and www.thedailygreen.com.
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A great way to help reduce your carbon footprint is to use eco-friendly reusable products. Not only are they convenient and wallet friendly, but they assist in the reduction of items piling up in a landfill. It can be confusing on what to buy and where to begin when you are first starting out. This guide is here to help. All of these products are just one click away. Reusable K-Cups The little plastic cups that pile up in your trashcan every week are sure to fill up your local landfill too. If you want to cut back on the amount of plastic that your home trashes, consider purchasing some reusable K-Cups. Not only do they save you money, but they save the earth as well. It is a win-win. Just fill them with your favorite coffee and you are good to go. Washable Kitchen Towels Do you go through paper towels like crazy? Anyone with toddlers or pets know just how fast a roll of paper towels can go. Instead, purchase a pack of JEBBLAS cleaning towels on Amazon. They come in a pack of 60 and different colors to help you prevent cross contamination. These towels can be tossed into the washing machine after every use.
Biodegradable Pet Waste Bags Between scooping litter, and picking up poop on walks, waste bags flood the local landfill. That is why these biodegradable waste bags from Amazon are a must have. They are 100% compostable and come in a 60 count.
Lunchbox Bamboo Cutlery Do you pack a lunchbox to take to work and always toss in a plastic fork or spoon? When you grab lunch on the go, do you reach for a plastic straw and silverware set? If so, you may need to check out this awesome reusable bamboo set. It comes with forks, knives, spoons, and straws, all placed in a travel pouch. Keep a set in your car, desk, and lunchbox to ensure you’re never without. Interested in checking it out? Just head on over to Amazon and search “Skosod travel utensils”.
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Ditch the Pen and Paper Do you jot down a lot of notes for work? Do you find yourself going through notebook after notebook? If you do, look into purchasing a Rocket book. It allows you to jot down notes, and then store them online in a virtual cloud. After you have snapped your picture, just erase the writing away.
Reusable Sandwich Bags Do you have little ones that enjoy packing that PB&J every day? Instead of those plastic Ziplock bags that just end up in the trash every night, purchase a pack of reusable snack bags. Not only are they super easy to clean, but they come in fun patterns that your kid is sure to love.
Ditch the Dryer Sheets Static in clothes is annoying, but dryer sheets are full of chemicals and are not reusable. Instead, reach for a wool dryer ball. They can improve your health and overall look of your clothes. Microfiber Makeup Removing Cloths If you have a pack of makeup removing wipes on your counter, check out this great money saving option. Microfiber clothes can get off even the most stubborn makeup with just a little bit of warm water. The best part is they can be washed over and over, and never wear out.
Garden Planting Schedule So, you want to start a garden. That is super cool and great for the environment. It is also an awesome hobby that you are going to love. There is nothing like cooking up something that you grew on your own. One great gardening tip is to ensure that you are planting your seeds at the right time according to the zone. Thankfully, I created a simple chart that will tell you exactly when to plant your seeds according to our local zone.
Earth Day is right around the corner, and we are calling you to dedicate the month of April to reduce your daily waste in honor of the holiday. Earth Day, which is on April 22, marks the anniversary of the creation of the modern environmental movement that began in 1970. It all started with an idea for a national day to focus on the environment. It was started by Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the effects of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Today, Earth Day is observed all over the world and is celebrated by more than a billion people every year. The day of action calls for a difference in human behavior and provokes policy changes. If you would like to reduce your household’s daily waste, here are a few super simple things that you can do to make the change! 1. Ditch the bottled waters Bottled waters cause so much unneeded plastic to wind up in landfills. This month buy a water filter and use a refillable water bottle instead. 2. Take showers instead of baths Did you know that a standard showerhead produces 2.5 gallons per minute. This means that a ten-minute shower uses 25 gallons of water. That may sound like a lot, but a full bath can use up to 70 gallons of water. 3. Reduce food waste Unfortunately, many of us find ourselves tossing out food that has gone bad in our fridges. Use the month of April to fully inventory the food you already have in your pantry, pay close attention to expiration dates, and only purchase fruits and vegetables that you know can be eaten in a few days. 4. Grow your own food If you ever wanted to try out gardening, April is the perfect month to start! Not only is home gardening great for the environment, but it is great for your wallet too. 5. Cut off the water when brushing your teeth If you leave the water running while brushing your teeth, you could be letting gallons of water literally go down the drain every day. Simply wet your toothbrush and then switch the water back off. 6. Go paper-free billing Many companies actually offer discounts to customers that opt-out of paper billing. Instead of letting those paper bills pile up on your counters, switch to electronic billing instead. 7. Ditch the plastic bags Each trip to the grocery store means piles and piles of plastic bags that wind up in the trashcan after you are done unpacking all of your groceries. Instead, use reusable totes that you bring from home. They are more steady as well, so you don’t have to worry about ripped bags. 8. Say no to straws Buying a reusable straw to toss into your purse can save hundreds of plastic straws from landing in the ocean or local landfill. 9. Check out the local thrift store Unfortunately, fast fashion is not good for our planet. Stop by the local thrift store and give the gently used pieces some new life. 10. Use both sides of your paper Are your kids going through notebooks like crazy? Encourage them to use both sides of the paper when taking notes and drawing. Use every inch of that paper before tossing it in the trash.
We have some exciting news to share. The Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club will be having their annual VICE night in person again this year! It will be taking place at the Oak Grove Gaming, Racing and Hotel on April 23, 2021 at 6pm. Doors will open at 5:30pm. This year’s exciting theme is a 2021 Havana! VICE stands for a Very Important Charity Event and for the Fort Campbell Spouses Club it helps raise funds to provide scholarships to our military children and spouses continuing their education. They also provide grants to give back to our community. Last year the FCSC had to make the difficult decision to move the annual VICE night to an online platform due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Although this year it will be in person, their priority is to keep members and the community safe during this time so they will be observing CDC guidelines during the event. The 2020 virtual VICE night allowed the FCSC to donate 13 scholarships to Seniors and Spouses that were continuing their education. The club hopes to meet and exceed these numbers with this year’s event. If you are interested in attending the event, tickets can be purchased at https://www.fortcampbellspousesclub.org/vicenighthavana. Tickets will be $50.00 a piece, and you get a fun-filled night of dinner, live music, and live and silent auctions with your purchase. If you would like to support and donate to the event, please contact them at fcscvicenight@gmail.com. Donations can also be made on their website listed above. 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/.
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Arcadia Cocktail 2 ounces gin 1 ounce Galliano 1 ounce creme de banane 3 ounces grapefruit juice Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in all ingredients and shake until chilled. Pour (ice included) into a highball glass. Amber Haze 1 ounce Bacardi Big Apple rum 1 dash grenadine Soda water Lime wheel Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice. Pour in the apple rum first, then top it most of the rest of the way with the soda water. Pour the dash of grenadine on last. Garnish with a lime wheel and a straw for stirring in the grenadine.
Drink recipes and photos courtesy of https://www.mixthatdrink.com
Hpnotiq Breeze 1 1⁄2 ounces Hpnotiq 1 ounce Malibu coconut rum 2 ounces pineapple juice Fill a shaker halfway with ice and pour in all ingredients. Drop some ice into a whiskey sour glass and strain the mixture into it. Pimm’s Cup Cocktail Makes enough for 6 people: 12 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 Cup 6 ounces dry gin (optional – just raises the alcohol content)
Lemonade Fruit chunks or slices (cucumber, lemon, lime, strawberries and mint are suggested – cucumber is actually the most common garnish)
Put about twenty ice cubes into a large jug. Add the Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, then the gin and the fruit. Fill the jug the rest of the way with lemonade and stir it. Serve it in highball glasses. Remind your guests they can eat the fruit, too.
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April 12th is National Grilled Cheese Day, and there is no better way to celebrate this delicious holiday than with some unique and fun grilled cheese recipes. Give this childhood favorite a spin and make your stomach happy all day long.
Bacon Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese 2 slices of bread • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 tablespoon softened butter • 2 slices extra sharp cheddar cheese 4 slices bacon • 1⁄2 cup prepared mac and cheese Start by spreading your mayonnaise on both slices of bread. Then, heat a skillet over medium heat and melt half of the butter. Lay down one slice of bread with the mayonnaise side down into your pan. Place your sliced cheese, bacon, and mac and cheese on your bread and top with second slice of bread. Again, with the mayonnaise side up. Allow the bottom piece of bread to fry until it is golden brown. Pick up your sandwich and add remaining butter. Finally, flip your grilled cheese and gently press down sandwich for even cooking. Waffled Tater Tot Grilled Cheese Frozen Tater Tots • Fontina Cheese Heat up your waffle iron to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and spray it with nonstick spray. Place your frozen tater tots on your waffle iron and close it. Cook for 10-15 minutes. Set cooked tots to the side. Repeat this step until you have two waffle tots. Heat your oven to 350 and place your waffle tot on a baking sheet. Assemble your sandwich by placing your cheese between the two waffle tots. Place in the oven until the cheese is nice and melted. Fontina and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese 2 slices bread • 1 to 2 tablespoons softened butter • Sliced fontina cheese • Grated mozzarella cheese Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Spread your butter onto one side of 1 piece of bread. Then you will place it buttered side down in skillet. Layer your two cheeses onto your bread. Butter the other slice of bread on 1 side and place it on top the cheese with the buttered side up. Once the cheese is melted, flip your sandwich so that the other piece of bread can get golden brown. Serve Immediately Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Bread • Cheese • Butter Use any type of bread and cheese Preheat oven to 400. Butter one side of bread slices and place on baking sheet pan butter-side down. Layer 2-3 slices of cheese on each slice of bread. Spread butter on remaining slices of bread, place them buttered-side up on top of the cheese. Bake for 6-7 minutes, flip the sandwiches over and bake for additional 6-7 minutes, until golden brown. Baking time may vary slightly depending on the type of bread used. 19
It is officially springtime and you know what that means, right? It is time to break out your favorite cleaning products and deep clean your home. Who does not love a little bit of spring cleaning? To help motivate you to scrub away that grime, check out some of these awesome and convenient cleaning products!
Bissell Crosswave This cool wet vacuum allows you to sweep and mop your floors at the same time. It saves so much time, and helps this daily chore feel a little less daunting. Microfiber Mini Blind Duster A blind duster helps you get every single spec of dust that may be stuck onto your blinds. Toss that regular duster in the trash, because we all know it never gets into those tight spaces that blinds create. IRobot Vacuum People with pets and kids know that floors constantly need to be cleaned. Buy yourself a little helper that can vacuum up that stubborn pet hair while you kick your feet up or focus on another spring-cleaning chore. Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner Is your glass cooktop looking a little dingy? Is that baked on food just never coming off? Then get yourself the Cerama Bryte kit. It comes with a non-damaging scraper, sponge, and cleaner that will get that gunk off in no time. The Pink Stuff Multi-Use Cleaner This cleaner tackles just about every stain and mess known to man. Do you have hair dye on the cabinets? Rust spot on the sink? Crayon on the wall? Just a dab of this stuff will have your household items sparkling new in no time. Microwave Steamer Who likes to scrub the microwave after a bowl of soup explodes in it? Absolutely no one. The Angry Mama can help you tackle that mess in a hurry. Just add some vinegar and water to the device and toss her in your microwave. That stuck on food will wipe away with ease. MECO Electric Spin Scrubber Do you need to scrub your floor grout or bathroom tiles? Avoid the tired arms and hours of scrubbing with this super useful device. It will power scrub away any dirt or grime. Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator Does your animal loving home have a hard time getting rid of pet odor smells? Then you are going to want to check out the Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator on Amazon. One bottle goes a long way, and it can get rid of any pet smell that may be looming.
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Clutter can make your home feel chaotic. A clean and organized home can bring a sense of calm to your entire family, and achieving this goal truly starts with organization. Creative and unique storage hacks can turn any small space into a clutter-free masterpiece. It just takes a little bit of planning. Repurpose That Shoe Rack Over the door shoe racks have so many unique storage options other than holding your sneakers. Did you know it is a great way to store your kid’s endless pile of stuffed animals, dolls, or action figures?
Shower Organization Many showers do not come with enough storage areas to hold the entire family’s hygiene products. To avoid countertop clutter, buy a shower curtain that comes with pockets. It turns that cluttered bathroom into a tidy getaway.
Mugs Away Unfortunately, many homeowners face the dilemma of not having enough kitchen storage. Free up an entire section of your kitchen by hanging a few hooks under your top cabinets. You can hang mugs, utensils, and more from these handy hooks.
Tidy Towels Not every home has a linen closet, and that can make storing those bulky bathroom towels a hassle. To help solve this issue, install a shelf above your bathroom door. It is the perfect place for those folded towels. It is an unused space just waiting to be utilized. If a family member is too short to reach an over the door shelf, try buying a wine rack for the wall instead. Rolled towels fit perfectly, and it looks very nice.
Shower Ring Show Stopper Scarves are perfect for the fall and winter season, but they are a pain to store. But, with a few shower rings from the dollar store, and a clothes hanger, you can create a scarf storage ring in seconds.
Raise It Up Do you need more storage in your bedroom, but your bedframe is too small to fit any kind of container? Just run out and buy a bed lifter kit. You can find them for around $15 on Amazon.
Clutter-Free Cleaners If your area under the kitchen sink is an unorganized mess, try installing a tension rod near the top of the cabinet. This will allow you to hang your spray cleaners, and free up the bottom space for other important items.
Hang the Dirty Laundry Dirty clothes hampers can quickly become overfull, and make any room look cluttered. Eliminated this issue by purchasing a cloth hangable clothes hamper. You can hang it on the back of your door, which will free up so much floor space.
K-Cup Lovers Rejoice K-Cups can be so hard to store. The big boxes they come in take up so much room, and you have to dig through them to find the flavor you are looking for. Grab an old egg carton, remove the top, and store your pods that way. They fit perfectly and are easily stackable.
Flip Flop Flare To prevent those pesky flip flops from getting lost at the bottom of your closet, repurpose that old letter holder. You can place them on your closet shelf and place each pair of flip flops in its own section.
Perfect Perfumes If you are a fragrance lover, then your countertop space might be a little crazy. Simply run to the store and pick up a spice rack. It is a great way to store and display your huge perfume collection. 21
National Pet Day is April 11th and we wanted to use this opportunity to allow pet owners all over the Fort Campbell area to show off their furry friends. Come say hi to these cute local loveable animals.
Every military family has or knows a little warrior. Military children are tough, adaptable, and resilient. That is why they have an entire month dedicated to their greatness. Every April we celebrate the Month of the Military Child. This Month-long celebration is a time to applaud the children for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. Are you looking for fun and unique ways to celebrate all month long? Give these ideas a try! Wear Purple on April 15th. Grab your favorite purple shirt and wear it on April 15th in order to show your support for military children. Plan a Special Night Out This month is all about making them feel special and loved. One weekend in April, let them pick out their favorite restaurant and activity, such as bowling, and make the night all about them. Make a New Military Friend If you are new to the area and are looking to make new military friends, then this is the month to do it. There is nothing quite like a friendship with another child that understands the trials that military children face. Host a Photoshoot These kids are superheroes, and this is the perfect time to make them feel like one. Grab them a cape and a mask, and let them do silly and fun superhero poses all around town.
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Start Your Journey to an IT Career Today! Despite recent setbacks with the COVID-19 pandemic, Information Technology careers are on the rise. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 12 percent by 2028, adding more than 500,000 new jobs. an By: Jennifer Hartm
The time is NOW to study for a new IT career. As much of the country continues with at-home work and cloud-based operations, this increases the need for skilled IT professionals. So, what can you do to get ahead? Educate yourself and earn an IT certification. With the right training, you could earn national certification and be working in the IT field in just a few short months.
APSU offers many popular IT programs that can prepare you for today’s workforce, including CompTIA A+, Net+, Security+, Cloud+, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst, Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops, and more. Your training can be done completely online and using your Credentialing Assistance or MyCAA benefits make this career choice affordable. The Army Credentialing Assistance Program (CAP) provides up to $4,000 in funding to active-duty Soldiers for courses and exams leading to an industry-recognized academic or vocational credential every fiscal year. 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. 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 or https://www.jotform.com/protrainedu/armycainvoice Military Spouses visit: https://apsums.theknowledgebase.org/mycaa For more information you can also email: info@protrainedu.org
Looking for ways to get involved? Volunteer with the USO! Visit volunteers.uso.org to get started.
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
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Military History and Armed Forces Symposium at Discovery Park of America by Katie Jarvis Discovery Park of America, a 100,000-square-foot museum with a 50-acre outdoor heritage park in Union City, Tenn., will be hosting the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium April 23-25, 2021. All active military and veterans will receive free general admission to Discovery Park during this three-day event. The keynote speaker of the weekend is Lt. Gen. John G. Castellaw, (R) USMC, on Sun., April 25 at 2 p.m. He will be giving a presentation on National Security in the Age of Climate Control. Castellaw is 36-year veteran of the Marine Corps. where he held several commands, including chief of staff for the United States Central Command during the Iraq War. Since retirement, Castellaw has served as an advising expert in matters of national security, with an emphasis on climate change. He is the founder and CEO of FarmSpace Systems, a company specializing in drone and aviation technology in agriculture. The symposium will feature a variety of programs and interactive activities that will explore the past, present and future of the military. Guests will experience reenactors sharing stories from the history of the military, an incredible display of military vehicles outside and inside the museum and experts on a variety of military topics. Live drone demonstrations will also be held outside on the grounds of the heritage park. Other featured guests include Cmdr. Leeanne Braddock, (R), US Navy; Col. Ardis Porter (R), US Army; and author Cynthia Kent. Braddock is a 24-year veteran of the US Navy, who will be leading a panel discussion on the topic of women in the military. Porter will be speaking with other panelists about minorities in the military and the challenges faced. Kent will present a program on Vietnam soldiers, followed by a book signing. Other authors of military-related books on a variety of topics will also be on hand to discuss their work with attendees. On exhibit just for this event will be a pop-up exhibit featuring military photographs by photographer Matthew Brady. Often referred to as the father of photojournalism, he is well known by many for his documentation of the Civil War. He photographed thousands of images including battlefields, camp life and portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee and some of the most famous leaders of his time. Not only will guests be able to attend all of these programs and events throughout the weekend, but they will also be able to walk through the two-level Military Gallery that is inside the museum. It is considered by many to be one of the best military exhibitions in the world. With handwritten letters from soldiers of the Civil War and display cases full of World War I and II guns, uniforms and personal items, to the full-size PT Stearman hanging from the ceiling, and the fully-restored Titan I Missile, the Military Gallery is a “must-see” for all military fans, history buffs and museum lovers. For more information about the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium, visit: discoveryparkofamerica.com/militaryhistory. All military and veterans receive free admission throughout the three-day event. Please show your military ID at the front ticket counter when you arrive. Tickets for those who are not military or veterans can be purchased online or at the front ticket counter when you arrive. 29