2020 MF SEPTEMBER

A DAY THAT DEFINES A generation

Bobby Hughes. That is the name of my classmate who was killed on September 11, 2001. He had bright red hair, an infectious smile and loved baseball. Like thousands of others, his life was interrupted when terrorism came to our shores 19 year ago — and countless others have come to be victims of the chain reaction of that day since.

Nineteen years. Nineteen years since we went to sleep to a different America. Nineteen years since our community saw peace. And as places like Afghanistan and Iraq and the Horn of Africa have faded from news headlines, especially in the day and age of coronavirus, it is impossible for every man, woman and child attached to this military to forget.

The day defined our generation; not just because of the gaping holes left where majestic towers once stood in New York City but also because of the strength that now stands in its place as the Freedom Tower.

It was on full display last year when I watched sailors raise their right hand to recite an oath of enlistment at that very location. You cannot defeat patriotism. You cannot weaken America. You do not get to define this generation by your terms, rather the day is defined by brave civilians who helped strangers get to safety, by first responders who ran toward fire and smoke, and by men and women in uniform who continue to deploy to places unknown. That is what America is about.

Nineteen years later. Never forget.

About the Cover

Military Families Magazine by AmeriForce Media, LLC, is published 12 times a year for active duty service members and their families. Copies are available through participating family service centers, relocation offices, transition offices, base lodges, libraries, daycare centers, MWR activities and other locations by request. Unit distribution requests can be made online at www.AmeriForceMedia.com/ mf/print-magazines/

Individuals can order a free digital edition of this issue at www.AmeriForceMedia.com/ mf/subscribe-free/

Editorial comments can be emailed to managing.editor@ameriforcemedia.com

Military Families Magazine is published by AmeriForce Media, LLC, Bloomington, Indiana, a private company. Information and advertisements in this publication do not constitute endorsement by any branch of the military or the Department of Defense. No part of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of the publishers. AmeriForce Media, LLC, the publishers, and publisher’s agents make no endorsement of any advertised services or products and none should be inferred.

EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION

President and Publisher Todd Taranto

Managing Editor Bianca M. Strzalkowski

Assistant Editor Susan Malandrino

Digital Editor Lauren Lomsdale

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Retiring your uniform isn’t the end of your service to others.

The ability to lead, to act in the face of uncertainty, and to commit to a mission brings hope to communities in need.

Service is the only option.

To join up, visit  TeamRubiconUSA.org/MilitaryFamilies

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Team Rubicon is a 501c3 non-profit organization

Second lady leads suicide prevention efforts

By Bianca M. Strzalkowski

Second lady Karen Pence is deploying a familiar tactic to learn about veteran suicide: listening.

Mrs. Pence was appointed lead ambassador earlier this year for a new nationwide strategy to raise awareness about mental health, connect veterans to federal and local resources and facilitate research about suicide. PREVENTS (President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide) is a three-year plan stemming from President Trump’s

signing of an executive order last year directing the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Health and Human Services and others to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing suicide. The order was signed as data reveals 132 Americans, including 20 service members, former never federally activated guard and reserve members, and veterans, die on average each day by suicide, according to a VA press release.

Taking the lead on military-related initiatives is nothing new for Mrs.

Pence, a Marine mom. At the onset of her role as second lady, she outlined priorities to focus on military families — including the spouse employment issue — and to promote the benefits of art therapy for healing. Her office has spent the last few years traveling the globe to hold listening sessions as part of a larger effort to understand challenges associated with military life and work with partners on solutions.

Second Lady Karen Pence crosses the finish line with Terry Sharpe, the “Walking Marine,” on the South Lawn driveway of the White House this summer, as he completes his walk from North Carolina to Washington D.C. to raise awareness of veteran suicides. Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Mrs. Pence hosted key leaders of the PREVENTS public health campaign at the Vice President’s Residence.

Photo by Amy Rossetti.

She says that experience led to her appointment with PREVENTS.

“I think the reason that the president asked me to be the lead ambassador for PREVENTS is because of my work with art therapy and vets. And it was an honor for me to be asked to be part of that, because one thing I have learned is that suicide is preventable and so for me I thought, if there’s something I can do to elevate this, I definitely want to do it,” Mrs. Pence said.

She convened task force members, including Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, Executive Director of PREVENTS, earlier this year to gauge next steps.

“I felt like, again, just like I felt with the military spouses; I don’t come in here and act like I know everything about preventing suicide — I don’t know anything. And so what I did was, I hosted a meeting inviting as many people on that task force as could attend, to come to the Vice President Residence — it was right before all of the COVID hit — we went around the table, we spent a long time with everybody explaining what they saw their role as and what some of the things they were proposing were,” she said.

Her team also works with ambassadors to leverage their social media and influence to spread the word about how to prevent suicide, Mrs. Pence says, along with health care providers on devising the right messaging.

“We’re taking our cues from PREVENTS, we’re taking our cues from experts,” she said.

Other grassroots activities include meeting with military and veteran community members, like Terry Sharpe, a Vietnam veteran known as “The Walking Marine.”

He walked from Stokesdale, North Carolina to Washington D.C. to bring awareness to veteran suicide prevention. The 69-year-old walks 300 miles annually. Learn more about his cause at https://www.walkingmarine.com .

The PREVENTS Task Force has already connected with more than 150 known community boards, 27 statewide suicide prevention teams and Building Healthy Military Communities — a pilot initiative with seven partnering states.

If you or someone you know need support, contact the Military Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/military-crisis-line.

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V-22 REACHES

KEY MILESTONE,

HEADS TO FLEET

By AmeriForce Staff

The Navy received its first fleet CMV-22B Osprey this summer, signaling a new phase for the tiltrotor program.

The Bell-Boeing designed aircraft has expanded range needed for fleet operations, according to a Bell press release, with specifications to enhance Navy readiness. It replaced the Navy’s C-2A Greyhound earlier this year.

“This first fleet delivery marks a new chapter of the V-22 Tiltrotor program providing enhanced capabilities and increased flexibility to the U.S. Navy as they conduct important operational missions around the globe,” Shane Openshaw, Boeing vice president of Tiltrotor Programs and deputy director of the Bell Boeing team, stated in a press release.

The CMV-22B delivery to Naval Air Station North Island, California — a key acquisition milestone — is the third delivery from the program,

with the first two aircraft located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River for development test, Marine Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager, said in an email.

Beyond the versatility a tiltrotor brings, the Navy variant is designed to operate on all of the types of ship certified for the MV-22B, including:

• Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (CG),

• Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer (DDG),

• Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS),

• Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) for Vertical Replenishment (VR),

• Tarawa and America-class landing helicopter assault ships (LHA),

• Wasp-class landing helicopter dock ship (LHD),

• San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship (LPD),

• Nimitz and Ford-class aircraft carriers (CVN) for both VR and Launch and Recovery (LR) operations, along with VR and/ or LR operations to numerous naval supply ships in use today.

“

… The fleet will prepare for and execute operational test, slated to begin later this year followed by initial operational capability (IOC), expected in 2021,” Kelly said in an email.

It officially took over the Carrier Onboard Delivery Mission in April, bringing more versatility and capability to the carrier strike group commander. It is the only aircraft in the airwing capable of landing on a carrier with the power module, Kelly added.

“It’s notable that a CMV-22B is expected to be able to fly directly to any of these types of ships operating further afield thanks to its available range,” Kelly said.

The aircraft will be used to transport personnel, mail, supplies and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea, NAVAIR stated in a news update.

It also differs from the Marine Osprey by extended operational range, a beyond line-of-sight HF radio, a public address system for passengers, and an improved lighting system for cargo loading. The extended range is provided by two 60-gallon tanks installed in the wing for an additional 120 gallons of fuel with the forward sponson tanks enlarged for increased fuel capacity.

The CMV-22B is anticipated to be fully operational by 2023, with 44 aircraft in its fleet.

Maintainers assist the first CMV-22B Osprey assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 in landing at Naval Air Station North Island. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chelsea D. Meiller.

CMV-22B BY THE NUMBERS

A military spouse is using her self-taught tech skills to elevate visibility for thousands of Blackowned businesses.

Jasmine Grant started her entrepreneurial journey for the same reason many others do: she was frustrated because she couldn’t find what she needed.

“I was trying to find a Black Girls Rock shirt and I couldn’t find it online. There wasn’t a directory that was easy to click on at the time. I went to the app store and there were two Black business apps, but they had the same problem. They didn’t have a listing,” Grant, a Navy spouse, said.

She decided to create a solution with a new app called The Black Wallet — a digital resource center for Black entrepreneurs and their

CHANGES NARRATIVE OF

businesses. While that sounds like an easy DIY, the financial requirement of hiring a creator was surprisingly expensive.

“The cheapest quote I got was $40,000. Well I don’t have $40,000, so I’ll just make it myself.”

Grant hunkered down for a year, researching and learning the technology behind app creation. The Black Wallet launched in 2017 as a one-stop shop, now with 3,000+ Blackowned businesses from all over the U.S.

With roughly 2.6 million Blackowned businesses in America, according to 2017 census figures, Grant wants to be instrumental in helping them succeed.

“We currently have 800 more [businesses] in queue. The goal is to add 1,000 more a month.”

On the app, users can search local and online businesses, along with events. It also has a feature to help those on travel or during a PCS move look up places by location.

Grant is working to:

Use technology to leave an impact on Black culture and entrepreneurship

Make Black businesses better Dispel the argument that people have for not supporting Black businesses

But support requires community, and Grant says she wants to recreate the camaraderie that fueled communities like Black Wall Street — a once self-sufficient prosperous business district created by African Americans in the early 20th century, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

By Tiffany Eve Lawrence

“We were more community minded [then]. Because of everyone being online and the fact that we are more spread out, you can’t just walk next door and say, hey I have this problem come help me.”

As many businesses move online because of COVID-19, Grant adds, “our pivot isn’t just about pivoting our services; it’s how we connect to people on a deeper level even if we are starting that connection online.”

Her efforts also aim to level the playing field for entrepreneurs who look like her.

In the wake of protests after the murder of George Floyd, conversations surrounding racial injustice and police brutality have been elevated to the forefront. Calls to action to white allies on how to show solidarity with Black neighbors include opening wallets. The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates 41% of Blackowned businesses had closures due to COVID-19.

Grant offers an analogy on why this approach not only makes a difference but also offers steps for correcting America’s historical financial impact on Black culture.

“The statement about America that we are one country united. We are supposed to be a team. Whenever you do a team project if there is somebody falling behind on your team then your entire project is a mess. So, if all you have to do is help the team member that’s behind so that everyone looks good, why wouldn’t you do that? America is also America. The only way to have power in this country is through money. We are not going to have the power we want until we have money,” she explained.

And there are critical events throughout U.S. history confirming that Black people have not had the same opportunities because of systemic inequality.

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as an example, occurred when white residents were deputized by city officials to destroy Black Wall Street. The aftermath of the violence left 35 blocks of the district charred, thousands imprisoned, and it is believed 100-300 people were killed, according to Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.

In addition to highlighting businesses through a directory, The Black Wallet offers an education component. Grant’s community efforts amplify entrepreneurial beginnings in hopes of inspiring those new to running a business.

“A lot of times when you see interviews with Black business owners, a lot of them have already made it. They have the success and the money and are telling you how to get there. That’s cool, that’s great, we need that

inspiration. But what about people who are still trying to figure out how to make $500 or be consistent. They matter too but no one is really telling their story,” she said.

Her new video series takes viewers inside the journey of the novice business owner.

“Entrepreneurship can be lonely, so I want people to know that there’s more people out there just like them. I want you to see yourself,” she said.

The words that users are met with on her app sum up what Grant is passionate for consumers to know: Need something? There’s a Black business for that!

And because of The Black Wallet, searching for that business or product doesn’t have to be an extensive or frustrating process. Visit http://theblackwallet.com to learn more.

The Black Wallet can be downloaded on Apple and Google Play.

REMEMBERING

MAJ. CAMPBELL

By Lizann Lightfoot

Folds of Honor recognizes the sacrifice of military members by providing their loved ones with access to education.

Kelli Campbell lost her husband, Marine Maj. Shawn Campbell, in a military helicopter crash in 2016. At the time, their children were 11, 9, 6, and 2. The family had to move out of their base home in Hawaii, losing connections built within the military community that Campbell was a part of for 15 years. Their lives changed overnight.

When the family temporarily moved into her parents’ house, Campbell says she felt “set adrift, no longer able to make decisions for herself.” She had always homeschooled their children in the Classical Christian method, but she was unable to continue without her husband as her homeschool partner.

Placing her children into public school would require them to attend schools at several different locations. They would be thrown into new classes in the middle of the year, when they had no prior experience attending school in a classroom. Then Campbell heard about Folds of Honor.

“I was sitting on my parents’ floor, surrounded by library books and all the kids. I was panicking about school and their future and wondering how to move forward. My mom walked in and had gotten a phone call from a Classical Christian school who was giving my children an opportunity to attend and just be in class. My friend who had connected us to the school found Folds of Honor, called them that day, and made it possible for my kids to enroll. That was our first step into this new life. I was handed not just education, but a community,” she said.

Folds of Honor was established in 2007 to support the education of children who lost a parent in military service. Lt. Col. Daniel Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot and a PGA golf pro, was traveling on a commercial flight when he observed the body of Army Cpl. Brock Bucklin being returned to his widow and son. Rooney and his wife Jackie were moved to help the Bucklin family, so they organized a golf tournament and raised $8,000. He then asked the PGA to invite golfers to contribute $1 on a round of golf during Labor Day weekend. In one weekend, they raised $1 million.

Last year, Folds of Honor awarded 4,500 scholarships to military families, providing $22 million in educational support.

Ben Leslie, Executive Vice President at Folds of Honor, says the organization has always remained focused on its mission of educational assistance.

“We believe it is our duty and honor to provide generational assistance for Gold Star children to go to private schools. A lot of families may struggle to find employment, or they may be stuck living in neighborhoods with lousy public schools. We believe in teaching people how to fish: If you give them an opportunity to learn, they will be able to teach their own kids and have new opportunities,” Leslie said.

For the Campbell kids, Folds of Honor filled an important gap. Campbell says Folds of Honor gave her a piece of freedom after her husband’s death.

“There is very little federal assistance for young children’s education. As soon as my husband died, everyone talked to me about college scholarships for the kids.

It was a great blessing, but I didn’t need that yet, because I had a twoyear-old in diapers,” she said.

Campbell, who now works for Folds of Honor, says it is equally important that the organization shares the names and stories of fallen service members.

“Their motto is, ‘honor their sacrifice, educate their legacy.’ They honor them by sharing their stories and saying their names. That is huge for these kids. It isn’t easy to share, but I do it to help other families,” she explained.

Campbell choked up as she shared her husband’s legacy.

“Shawn loved people so well. The day he said goodbye to us, he prayed for our family, that we would love each other well. His favorite days were the ones when he interacted with younger Marines and was a leader to them,” she said.

Folds of Honor has partnered with the company Red Gold to support military families in a creative way. This year, a new red, white and blue ketchup bottle from Red Gold is on store shelves. Not only does this increase awareness of the Folds of Honor mission, but a portion of proceeds will be donated to the

military family scholarship funds.

Leslie explains that it is a natural fit for both organizations.

“Red Gold is grown and made in America, as a 4th generation American company. Red Gold’s commitment to helping and honoring our military is apparent.

The bottle stands out on the shelves, and you can buy something that was made in America and supports military families.”

Campbell hopes that the partnership will drive attention to the Folds of Honor mission and the service member stories they highlight. Even though the bottles and single-use packets will be sold nationwide in chains like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Albertson’s, Campbell is most excited that it will be stocked in commissaries, because military families know what the folded flag means.

“That folded flag has so much weight to it: they say it only weighs 2 pounds, but it feels like much more to carry. Red Gold is coming along and helping families carry that weight.”

Help us to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.

SSGT Ray Rangel – U.S. Air Force

CPL Robert M. Weber – U.S. Marine Corps SMSGT Robert S. Cannon – Air National Guard

MLB PROSPECT STARTS MILITARY COMMITMENT

By Stephen Ruiz

Noah Song did not enroll at the Naval Academy to become a professional baseball player.

First and foremost, he was focused on his education and becoming an officer. Improving his pitching repertoire was nice but not the primary goal. Like all Midshipmen, a military commitment awaited him upon graduation. Being drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Red Sox in 2019 altered that timeline only slightly.

“It was supposed to be four years and done with baseball,’’ Song said. “Everything after graduation has really just been a plus.’’

Song, 23, reported to flight school in Pensacola in June, leaving behind an abbreviated stint last season for the Red Sox’s Class A short-season,

minor-league affiliate in Lowell, Massachusetts. Song put away his glove without complaint, not surprising considering his family’s priorities.

His younger brother, Elijah, recently completed the Marines’ Officer Candidates School in Virginia and is one year from graduating from Cal Maritime. Song’s father, Bill, and older brother, Daniel, work for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and his sister, Faith, is a nurse.

“It seems like all the kids are gravitating to public service and servicing the country,’’ Bill Song said. “They’ve really fulfilled everything that I would want from a child.’’

Elijah, 20, decided to become a Marine as a college freshman. He was interested in the military before Noah chose Navy but was impressed by watching how his brother matured there.

“To see him go through his transformation, just from a normal kid in high school to this refined military officer, … it made me tell myself, ‘Man, I want to be that squared away, that professional,’’’ Elijah said.

Noah was not always that squared away, especially on the baseball field.

NOAH SONG

ELIJAH SONG

Navy was his only offer to play baseball after he graduated from high school in Claremont, California, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles. Scouts started paying attention during his junior year at Navy, and then Song blossomed as a senior, going 11-1 with a 1.44 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 94 innings.

He was among four finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur baseball player in the United States.

“I never really thought about [getting drafted] so much, because the mindset was just on becoming an officer,’’ Noah said. “I completely agree with that. That’s the complete reason we’re there, so [the attention was] kind of weird.’’

While awaiting his flight-school orders, Noah was allowed to begin his professional career last summer. In seven games for Lowell, he allowed two earned runs in 17 innings for a 1.06 ERA.

“When he first got here, I don’t think he was overly confident in who he was,’’ Navy baseball coach Paul Kostacopoulos said. “He went from this kind of nervous, internal person to being a confident man, so to speak. It’s always great to see.’’

Elijah was different.

He played golf in high school but was not that interested in sports. He enjoyed tinkering, once learning to load ammunition by researching it online and watching videos.

But mainly he loved flying. Aboard a Cessna 150, Elijah sat in the pilot’s seat for the first time as a high school junior.

“Feeling the pedals and feeling the yoke and feeling the plane actually

move from my control, that was just a life-changing experience,’’ Elijah said.

Noah, whose future in baseball is uncertain, cherishes that view from the air as well.

He said his relationship with Elijah was tight-knit as children, but they were typical brothers. They argued. They fought. They made up.

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“Looking back, it’s all just fond memories,’’ Noah said. “This military experience has definitely brought us a little bit closer than we used to be, just because we share a bond. We get to have that commonality between us, which is pretty cool.’’

FROM KENYA TO THE CHAPLAIN CORPS

By Elizabeth Aslakson

Army Maj. Patrick Kihiu’s journey to becoming a chaplain and American soldier began in the slums of Kenya.

Born and raised in East Africa, Kihiu developed a deep religious conviction during high school. He cultivated his faith attending his local church in Nairobi and taking leadership roles in outreach programs, including in one of the world’s largest slums: the Kibera Slums.

His pastors recognized his potential, and understanding the value of international exposure, recommended he attend theological institutions in the U.S.

Diversity was not completely new to Kihiu though.

“I enjoyed being part of a culturallyvaried community in Nairobi,” Kihiu explained. “My school mates came from the 42 tribes represented in Kenya. … After seeking God’s wisdom and guidance, the Lord opened the door of opportunity to begin theological training in the USA in September 1992 at age 22.”

After immigrating, Kihiu received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Exposed to additional diversity during his studies, Kihiu says he gained an even more profound love and respect for others.

“We were constantly reminded we were all made in the image of God and that we should treat everyone with the utmost respect irrespective

of human differences,” he said.

It was also at school he met his wife, Rebecca — a fellow immigrant from Kenya. Ever since, they have led mission trips back to her home village in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and orphan crisis.

Then, starting his seminary practicum, he took a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

“It was there I had the opportunity to serve military veterans, providing for their spiritual needs. I heard stories of service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation,” Kihiu said.

As this position ended, Kihiu’s supervisor, a retired chaplain,

GROUND ZERO

CHAPLAIN

REFLECTS 19 YEARS LATER

By Crystal Kupper

As Lt. Cmdr. Jim Jenkins glanced around the nearly-empty United Airlines flight, he had one thought: don’t try to answer questions people may not be ready to ask yet.

Twelve days earlier, terrorists had split American history into a before and after, when they murdered nearly three thousand souls on Sept. 11, 2001. As a Navy chaplain serving with the Coast Guard and as part of the Chaplains’ Emergency Response Team, Jenkins’ people skills were needed at ground zero.

Those skills were put to use as soon as the flight from Oregon to New York

City climbed into the sky, however.

“There was a lot of time to talk to the flight attendants, and I told them where I was going and why,” Jenkins, an Ohio native, said. “They really wanted to talk, as many of them knew the crew of the United plane that went down [Flight 93].”

Despite being in the military since 1988, Jenkins had nothing to prepare him for what he saw upon his arrival at ground zero.

“When I first saw the pile, I went weak in my knees; there was destruction as far as the eye could see,” Jenkins said. “There was a

spongy feel to the ground. The acrid smell of chemicals — jet fuel and burnt building materials dampened by fire suppression — made for a nauseating cocktail. It was not lost on me that there was some measure of probability that we were walking on pulverized human remains.”

For two weeks, the chaplain’s days were divided into thirds: ministering first to the rescue and recovery workers at the still-burning ground zero, then at a hastilyconstructed morgue and finally at a command post to assist families of the fallen. A giant curtained-off area served as a makeshift nursery and childcare center.

Early morning view of ground zero in the days after the 9/11 attacks. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark C. Olsen.

“So many little children whose mommy or daddy was gone,” Jenkins muses quietly.

Other small details imprinted on his brain: the rescue dogs that grew depressed at never finding survivors in the rubble. The bomb threats that stopped him on the Verrazzano Bridge. A tall man named Cleveland who knelt on the Staten Island Ferry and asked Jenkins to pray. The series of blasts that let the chaplain know that either a body had been located or that he needed to run to save his life.

The taste of death on his mustache.

Jenkins personally accompanied more than 250 family members to ground zero, somberly observing the ritual of countless body parts moving from rubble to stretcher. He also attended a memorial service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the lost trade unionists — the wail of bagpipes and drums a soundtrack that still haunts.

When Jenkins returned home, he began avoiding officiating funerals. His sleep patterns tanked and he developed a precancerous condition of his sinuses and esophagus, a result of breathing in toxic chemicals. His voice became raspy and his endurance plummeted. He was eventually diagnosed with PTSD and still struggles with the urge to run from 9/11-related memories and situations.

“Something the director of the Navy Chaplain School told us at graduation has stuck with me,” Jenkins said. “‘You have no idea where this ministry will take you, but there is no place God will send you where He is not.’”

Near the end of his time in NYC, Jenkins accompanied United Airlines crew members to the

flaming crater in Manhattan. Backhoes groaned, cranes whirred, beepers chirped.

But then it all grew quiet when the grieving air crew unfurled a banner thanking the workers for finding their friends. The machines shut off, people removed their hard hats and tears flowed.

“The presence of mind to do something like that in their own grief was amazing,” Jenkins said.

And therein lies the value of the questions Jenkins knew he could never answer back in 2001: not that we know the why or the how of our nation’s deepest tragedies, but in the process of asking, we remember and rise.

RACES FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

By Crystal Kupper

When the doctor put Mike Evock into a racecar simulator, the retired Green Beret had no idea why.

“I said, ‘What the heck is this?’” he said. “But the doc said you don’t realize how much we do when we drive.”

It proved to be a turning point in Evock’s life. With over 50 significant injuries from multiple IED explosions and a helicopter crash, the chief warrant officer struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder

and traumatic brain injuries. He often had trouble sleeping and was in physical pain.

But then he got behind the wheel of a racecar and his life got back on track, so to speak.

“The car really helps out [with PTSD and TBI],” Evock said. “It doesn’t make sense, but racing really helps with handeye coordination, calming your brain down and helping you sleep. So, racing helps with the rest of your life, too.”

Helping heroes

Inspired by his healing journey, Evock founded Racing for Heroes in 2009 in order to support his fellow Special Forces brethren. The nonprofit uses motorsports as a platform to honor and assist military members across the nation.

It was a match made in racing heaven when he teamed with NASCAR owner Sam Hunt and driver Colin Garrett , the youngest duo in the Xfinity Series. Both of Garrett’s brothers are active-duty soldiers, while one of Hunt’s best friends is a Navy SEAL.

Besides their strong military ties, all three men were concerned with the growing epidemic of veteran suicide in America. Nearly 20 veterans kill themselves each day nationwide, more than 1.5 times the civilian rate. More than one of Evock’s former co-workers and friends are among that number.

“When you hear about [a new suicide], it has just a huge effect,” Evock said. “Just knowing that there was a way for them to do something other than what they did.”

The car that Garrett drives now features the Racing for Heroes logo — but that’s just the most visible portion of the partnership. Through the various races throughout the

Marine veteran Greg Boudah, owner of sponsor The Jewelry Republic, talking with Racing For Heroes Founder Mike Evock, a retired Green Beret.

season, the “Our American Dream Team” gets television time and other media appearances, chances to crowd-fund for veterans’ causes, face time with veterans and their families and the opportunity to speak to NASCAR fans about military suicide prevention.

“With the national stage we’re on, [this cause] is something we get to do,” Garrett said. “At the end of the day, racecar driving is probably five percent of our job. It’s all about what leads up to it, all the social media, the TV time getting to have a voice to talk about veteran suicide and prevention, getting to hang out at the track with the veterans themselves.”

Changing the NASCAR normal

The unusual partnership between Hunt and his crew alongside Racing for Heroes has allowed for some unique business moves. Instead of traditional corporate sponsors with deep pockets, “Our American Dream Team” is crowdfunding through everyday joes, especially militaryand military spouse-owned small business owners. A recent example includes raising more than $200,000 to pay for a veteran’s stem cell treatments.

“At first the people around NASCAR called us ‘the people’s team’ jokingly, but now they call us ‘the people’s team’ respectfully,” Lisa

Kipps-Brown, a pro bono marketing strategist for the partnership and wife of a Vietnam veteran, said. “We are determined to make this all happen, and we have big dreams.”

Those dreams include moving up to the Cup Series (NASCAR’s top level), generating enough funding to help pay for veterans’ medical and alternative treatments, providing small military business funding and

establishing a Racing for Heroes medical center.

A man recently approached Garrett at a speedway with the Racing for Heroes logo on his truck.

“He told me how appreciative he is of what we’re doing, what we’re trying to accomplish,” Garrett said. “It’s one big family here, and if a veteran comes to the track, they can be a part of it.”

Your oral health matters

Your oral health is connected to your overall health and quality of life. Regular dental care is critical and shouldn’t cost you anything. That’s why preventive care is 100% covered under the Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) from Delta Dental.

Enjoy affordable dental care

Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare and eligible CHAMPVA beneficiaries can choose from three Delta Dental VADIP plan options to meet your needs and get access to our large network of dentists nationwide.

Enroll at any time during the year. Visit deltadentalins.com/vadip and take charge of your oral health today!

Delta Dental’s Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) is administered by the Federal Government Programs division of Delta Dental of California through its subsidiary Delta Dental Insurance Company (DDIC).

Driver Colin Garrett at the car hauler.

SEE ROSIE RUN!

MILITARY SPOUSES

RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE

By Jennifer Barnhill

There has never been an activeduty military spouse elected to Congress. As overall military representation has fallen by roughly 20% over the past 60 years, spouses of service members are seeking to close the militarycivilian representation gap.

Military Families Magazine spoke to three military spouses running for elected office in 2020 to see what led them to take the leap from concerned citizen to candidate.

First active duty spouse in Congress?

If elected in November, Lindsey Simmons, a candidate for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, would be the first active-duty military spouse elected to Congress. To put that in context there are currently 535 representatives in the 116th Congress. Since the election of the first female representative in 1917 there have been 51 sessions of Congress and thousands of opportunities to elect an active-duty military spouse.

Like many military spouses, Simmons’ journey into public service started through her advocacy for military families, with a desire to improve

schools and health care access.

“I recognized that there was a huge gap between military families and civilian families,” Simmons said. “And so much of the policies coming down from Washington and how they were affecting our families never made the news.”

Representation gap

On the surface the military population seems diverse, with increased participation from women and minorities. However, those who join the military are more likely to come from military families

With the overall size of the military in decline, the average citizen’s connection to someone in the military has dropped . Seventy-nine percent of baby boomers have a military connection as compared to only 33% of millennials.

If military families choose not to participate in a “second service” by running for elected office, then their voices and experiences are left out of the political process, widening the civilian-military representation gap.

With fewer experienced representatives in Congress, “their

military is what

see,” Simmons said. “And often the liaisons that DOD sends are going to be higher ranking officers.”

Because military spouses are not subject to DOD Directive 1344.10 — the regulation that prevents active-duty service members from engaging in politics — there is no reason they cannot attempt to close the gap. According to Sarah Streyder, Director of the Secure Families Initiative and activeduty Air Force spouse, there is a lack of clarity surrounding what level of political engagement is acceptable for military families. Military programming is “missing a call to public sector engagement,” Streyder said. There are no reasons spouses should not “lobby our representatives, by voting, by speaking up in order to be a more active part of the conversations that drive war and peace.”

Serve where you want to see change

Not everyone feels called to serve in Congress, but their participation is no less valuable. Navy spouse

Alexia Palacios-Peters is running

[politicians’] only notion of the

they

Coronado, California School Board candidate and Navy spouse Alexia Palacios-Peters participated in #thefrontstepsproject while actively running for elected office. Photo credit: Katie Karosich.

for the school board in Coronado, California. Things shifted for Palacios-Peters during a parentteacher conference.

“It became clear that the teacher didn’t realize dad was deployed and had been extended four times,” Palacios-Peters said. “You’re in a military town and how many kid’s parents are on the [U.S.S. Abraham] Lincoln?”

It seemed that Coronado, a proud Navy town with a high military population, didn’t have strong military representation.

“Not all of them are residents here or are able to vote here,” Palacio-Peters said. As a politically-active resident, she hopes to “be that voice for military families because decisions are going to affect our kids.”

Being a voice in local communities is not out of reach for the average disinterested citizen.

“I really wasn’t into politics,” Melissa Oakley, a Marine Corps spouse who is running for the Board of Education in Onslow County, North Carolina, said. “I had the mindset ‘I’m a military spouse and they know I’m going to move, and they don’t want us.’ But in reality, they really do want us.”

Oakley’s call to service was born out of her personal conviction to help her community. She founded a food pantry and supported local likeminded political leaders. According to Oakley, local government involvement is vital.

“A lot of people think that we need to focus on the president; no not really. Because if you’re a homeowner your local government is controlling your property taxes being raised,” she said.

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Military spouses can make a difference in the communities in which they live. The only hurdle is finding a way to get involved.

Where do I start?

Because Melissa Peck, a Navy spouse, was stationed in Japan with her family, she felt removed from the 2016 election cycle. Rather than throwing up her hands in frustration, upon her return to the U.S. she immediately joined her local political committee and brought her family along for the ride.

“All four of my kids have gone canvasing with me,” Peck said. “They have attended political rallies. We hosted a meet and greet for a congressional candidate in our home.”

Today, Peck is an elected leader of her local political party.

All candidates agree. You don’t have to run for office to make a difference. Whether you contribute one hour a month, or you turn your volunteering into a full-time job, it is appreciated. It’s attainable. And it makes a difference.

Before Melissa Oakley decided to run for elected office, she actively participated in politics, founding the Onslow Beat Conservative News Blog. Oakley is pictured interviewing Congressman Dr. Greg Murphy (R) after his first town hall.

Continued from page 16

recommended he consider Army chaplaincy. Humbled, Kihiu contemplated this calling while engaged in his next internship, a CPE residency at the University of Louisville Hospital. Here, he served as an on-call chaplain in the Emergency Department (ER).

“On duty, I was constantly exposed to patients with major trauma, including multiple gunshot wounds and serious accidents. I was there when doctors delivered tragic news, staying with families after the medical teams left, and then following up with the doctors and ER team to make sure they were OK too. Though this was an incredibly challenging ministry, I felt called providing compassionate care to all my patients, family members, and medical staff,” he said.

Here, Kihiu also served military families referred from Fort Knox, explaining how their conversations revolved around the respect they had for Army chaplains.

“I began exploring this ministry more even though I was clueless [about the] military culture. These brave soldiers and precious family members became my initial window in understanding the men and women whom I would eventually be called to serve,” he said.

Consequently, upon ending his residency and with encouragement from Rebecca, Kihiu enrolled in the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, November 2009— the same year he became a U.S. citizen.

Kihiu has since served in operational and training commands, including a Warrior Transition Battalion and Iraq deployment. While in the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, then battalion commander, Col. Steve Dawson, said of Kihiu, “No combat patrol ever went outside the wire without him personally blessing them before their departure, whether 2:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.”

Now at Watters Family Life Training Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Kihiu encourages military families to get to know their chaplains.

“Chaplains have answered the sacred calling to ‘serve those who serve.’ We provide the best care possible in a confidential setting. [And though] endorsed by different religious agencies, our call to duty is to faithfully serve our diverse military community on behalf of our beloved nation.”

In maintaining his own resiliency, Kihiu adds, “I have learned the benefits of ‘self-awareness.’ By this I mean accepting my own strengths and weaknesses. We all have areas in our lives we can improve. Therefore, we should be accountable to others, like trusted friends, mentors, supervisors, clergy, therapists, or supervisors— who can constantly check on us and provide honest feedback. I treasure these vital relationships in my own life, and I could not be where I am without them.”

HOME EQUITY AAG GUIDES VETERANS THROUGH SOLUTIONS

By AmeriForce Staff

A majority of Americans say they are concerned about the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on their retirement.

Roughly 80% of seniors believe their retirement lifestyle will be impacted because of the ongoing pandemic, according to a survey by American Advisors Group (AAG), with nearly a quarter expressing interest in a reverse mortgage if it can help their retirement portfolio recover. The findings are part of a larger effort by AAG to gauge how consumers, including veterans, are reacting to the volatile market.

AAG’s suite of products recently expanded to include the VA loan,

noting a large portion of today’s veteran population is 55 and older — approximately 13 million U.S. veterans.

“Adding the VA loan was a natural expansion for AAG. There are millions of older veterans in this country who represent a significantly underserved demographic,” said AAG Chief Executive Officer Reza Jahangiri.

“By offering veterans more ways to extract their home equity, we are empowering them to chart their own course in retirement, whether that means moving to a more senior-friendly home, getting inhome care, or simply maintaining their independence and quality of life in retirement.”

The company is a leading provider in a range of home equity solutions, like Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loans. Commonly referred to as reverse mortgages, HECM loans allow those 62 and over the ability to access their home equity and eliminate monthly mortgage payments, so long as you continue to pay your property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintain the home. There are a variety of different ways that a borrower can receive their payout from a HECM, including in a lump sum or as a line of credit.

A HECM loan can also be used as a refinancing option on a current mortgage or to purchase a new home that better suits a borrower’s needs.

Shannon Robinson, AAG Vice President of Strategic Sales, has worked in the mortgage industry for 15 years. She says a HECM caters to older veterans.

“It’s a tool that is designed to provide seniors with financial options in their retirement years. It can be a solution if they own their homes outright or if they have a good amount of home equity available,” she said.

As so many unknowns surround the pandemic, Robinson adds one thing is clear: now is a prime time to consider home equity options with “interest rates so low and home values so high, it is a perfect time for older Americans to look into the suite of products that AAG provides.”

Recent months have impacted financial portfolios, leaving “many seniors wondering what they need to do and if they have enough money to live out their retirement years,” Robinson says. Among the

solutions AAG offers to offset this challenge is a line of credit that can supplement income.

“It gives our clients freedom and flexibility to pull funds as needed, but what’s even more attractive about it is it has a growth rate option available. So, for the funds that our clients don’t use on the line of credit, the available line will actually grow at the rate determined when the loan closes,” she explained.

Former Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Eric Torres, AAG Strategic Sales Support Manager, served 11 years, with a majority of his time as an air traffic controller. He adds that a HECM allows borrowers to have some breathing room ahead of repayment.

“One of the primary things that people don’t focus on … in the circumstance, especially with COVID-19 is that, if they want to access funds through traditional loans, it means that they’re going to go out and get a conventional line of credit or something that’s going to obligate them to make a payment back,” Torres said. “Whereas, with the reverse mortgage, that payment option is delayed as long as they continue to pay their property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintain their home; which gives seniors the freedom and peace of mind that they can go and put themselves on a financial footing that’s stable and secure, at their time of choice.”

The first step in accessing a HECM is to go through reverse mortgage counseling, which provides borrowers with a clear understanding of the loan. A home then receives an appraisal. On average, the process can take roughly 45 days but varies by client, Torres said.

Conventional loans: Conventional loans can be used to purchase or refinance single-family homes or 1-4 unit properties.

Jumbo loans: Jumbo loans are used for amounts above the limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These are used like conventional loans but with higher value homes.

FHA loans: FHA loan is a mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration and issued by an FHA-approved lender, such as AAG. An FHA loan can help borrowers with limited funds and income buy homes with only 3.5% down payment.

AAG Advantage Loans: A jumbo reverse mortgage where no mortgage insurance or monthly payments are required, so long as the borrower continues to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance, and maintain the home. Many people use AAG Advantage loans to utilize their home equity for other investments, to purchase

a second property or to maintain their retirement lifestyle.

The above offerings are designed to provide home equity solutions to those veterans with retirement in sight, whether they are still actively serving, have recently retired or have been retired for a while. In addition to serving veterans’ needs, AAG works directly with veterans, like Tom Selleck who serves as the company’s spokesperson.

“The men and women who served our country deserve to retire with dignity and respect,” said Tom Selleck, AAG spokesperson. “As a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, I’m proud to represent a company like AAG that’s committed to improving the quality of life of older veterans.”

AAG will be hosting free educational webinars for AmeriForce subscribers later this year. Stay tuned for updates. To learn more about AAG and reverse mortgage loans, please visit the company’s website at www.aag.com.

In addition to VA loans and HECM loans, AAG offers:

Coastie receives medal for off-duty rescue

By Jessica Manfre

Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Vanderhaden, a boatswain’s mate at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, received the medal for saving two swimmers off Fire Island, New York.

“It was 2018 and I had just moved to New York and was trying to hit every beach in the area. I hadn’t been to Fire Island yet but heard the sunset there was amazing. I have the surf report app on my phone and it said it was going to be six feet. There were people and beach deer everywhere. … But I saw two guys pretty far out in the water

and it was like a washing machine out there [with the waves],” Vanderhaden said.

She says she slowly grew more alarmed as she watched and heard someone on the shore yelling “ayúdenme.” Although she couldn’t understand the Spanish word, Vanderhaden sensed something was wrong. Turning to the couple next to her, she asked if they knew what that word meant. They did: Help me.

Vanderhaden immediately headed to the water, instructing people

to call the police and the nearby Coast Guard station. She took off her shoes, sweater and started swimming. The rip current was so strong, it pulled her to the first man pretty quickly. Since the other man in the water was in more trouble being further out, she let the first know she’d be back for him and to try to stay afloat.

“When I got to the next guy, he was freaking out and climbing on me a lot. I was propping him up on my knee, holding him and telling him it was going to be okay. I don’t even know if he could understand me. Finally, he calmed down and I started swimming with him, pulling and pushing him. Then, we got to the second guy and that’s when things got hard,” Vanderhaden said.

When she reached the second man in the water, he began grabbing at her in obvious terror. Managing him while also keeping the other man and herself above water was a struggle. It took about 10 minutes just to calm them down.

“I started pushing one and pulling the other. I couldn’t see the beach because it had gotten dark and the waves were so high. We finally made it to shore and then the guys were hugging me and thanking me,” Vanderhaden said.

A Coast Guard member became the second woman in its history to receive the Silver Lifesaving Medal.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Vanderhaden, a boatswain’s mate at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, received the medal for saving two swimmers off Fire Island, New York.

She found out later they were in the water almost 45 minutes.

Once she finished giving her statement to the police, she called her senior chief who was the Officer in Charge (OINC) of her assigned duty station. Vanderhaden just briefly told them she had to talk to police but didn’t go into detail of what happened.

The police thought she was assigned to USCG Station Fire Island but she was actually part of USCG Station Eatons Neck. For about a week, they couldn’t figure out who she was and the sector jokingly started referring to her as the “Ghost Coastie.” It wasn’t until her mom happened to overhear some of the story that the dots finally got connected back to Vanderhaden.

“It was about a week before anyone knew it was me,” Vanderhaden said with a laugh.

Roughly two years later, she received the Silver Lifesaving Medal, with the presenting officer being a familiar face: her father. Vanderhaden’s father, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Jason M. Vanderhaden, is the top senior enlisted leader for the Coast Guard. Her brother currently serves too.

“For me, the other military branches making fun of us is one thing but I feel people [the public] think we are just police officers on the water. But it’s so much more than that,” she said.

Vanderhaden’s father has served since 1988, making the culture of the Coast Guard all she’s ever known. She was asked if she thinks she would have jumped in to rescue the men if she hadn’t been a coastie.

“That’s a difficult question, because I don’t know anything but the Coast

Guard. In my world and for all of people I live with and work around — all of us would do the same thing,” she said.

Then she added a recent conversation she had with a retired Coast Guard master chief who told her that some people think and some people do. He then said, the people who join the Coast Guard do.

AAG SALUTES VETERANS

VA Loans:

n As little as $0 down for qualified borrowers, making upfront costs low

n No monthly mortgage insurance premiums (MIP or PMI)

n Negotiable rates and no prepayment penalty

Reverse Mortgage Loans:

n Make retirement savings last longer

n Eliminate monthly mortgage payments (so long as you maintain the home and pay property taxes and insurance)

n Cover expenses like caregiving and home modifications

Ask about our

MILITARY FAMILIES DISCOUNT!*

*$500 lender credit toward closing costs. Not valid with any other promotion or discount. Offer valid through December 31, 2020. Application must be received by December 31, 2020. Not available with purchase loan. Not all fees can be credited, restrictions apply.

CALL TODAY TO LEARN MORE. (844) 395-4374

NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 3800 W. Chapman Ave., 3rd & 7th Floors, Orange CA, 92868. AAG conducts business in the following states: AK (Alaska Mortgage Broker/Lender License No. AK9392), AL, AR, AZ (BK_0911141), CA (CA Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license (603F324) and Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act (4131144)), CO (Regulated by the Division of Real Estate; to check the license status of your mortgage loan originator, visit http://www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate/index.htm), CT, DC (District of Columbia Mortgage Dual Authority License No. MLB9392), DE, FL, GA (residential Mortgage Licensee #22849), HI, IA, ID, IL (Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee; Illinois Commissioner of Banks can be reached at 100 West Randolph, 9th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601, (312)814-4500), IN, KS (Kansas Licensed Mortgage Company MC. 0025024), KY, LA, MD, ME (SLM11356), MI, MN, MO (4824 NW Gateway Ave, Suite 201, Riverside, MO 64168), MS (Licensed by the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance), MT, NC, ND, NE, NH (Licensed by the New Hampshire banking department), NJ (Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance), NM, NV, NY 58 South Service Road, Suite 210 Melville, NY 11747 (Licensed Mortgage Banker-NYS Department of Financial Services; American Advisors Group operates as American Advisors Group, Inc. in New York.) LMBC 109396, OH (RM.850159.000), OK, OR (ML-4623), PA (Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking 28356), RI (Rhode Island Licensed Lender), SD, SC, TN, TX (Mortgage Banker Registration, 9601 Amberglen Blvd, Suite 260 Austin, TX 78729), UT, VA (Licensed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission MC – 5134), VT (Vermont Lender License No. 6384), WA (Consumer Loan # CL-9392),WV, WI, WY (WY-DBA

AAG Reverse Mortgage Lender/Broker License No. 2331). AAG is an equal housing lender. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.

A reverse mortgage increases the principal mortgage loan amount and decreases home equity (it is a negative amortization loan). Reverse mortgage loan terms include occupying the home as your primary residence, maintaining the home, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. Although these costs may be substantial, AAG does not establish an escrow account for these payments. However, a set-aside account can be set up for taxes and insurance, and in some cases may be required. Not all interest on a reverse mortgage is tax-deductible and to the extent that it is, such deduction is not available until the loan is partially or fully repaid. AAG charges an origination fee, mortgage insurance premium (where required by HUD), closing costs and servicing fees, rolled into the balance of the loan. AAG charges interest on the balance, which grows over time. When the last borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, or fails to comply with the loan terms, the loan becomes due and payable (and the property may become subject to foreclosure). When this happens, some or all of the equity in the property no longer belongs to the borrowers, who may need to sell the home or otherwise repay the loan balance. V2020.07.17

American Advisors Group (AAG) interacts with thousands of Americans every month, many of them veterans.

CFC wants employees to show some love

By Susan Malandrino

This year’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) uses virtual techniques to reach out and directly engage with service members, federal employees and retirees as part of its Show Some Love campaign kicking off this month.

CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, according to its website, raising millions of dollars each year for more than 20,000 charities. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

According to Vince Micone, the CFC National Capital Area’s chairperson, there’s no question that the coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on resources in the nonprofit sector. CFC support is needed now more than ever due to current conditions.

“Organizations that provide medical, financial, educational, emotional and social services face

St. Jude patient Addy, pictured with her dad, Tanner, Staff Sergeant in U.S. Army

increased demand and are often on the front lines responding to needs,” Micone said in an email.

As a response to the pandemic, the Office of Personnel Management authorized a special solicitation in the spring that provided employees the opportunity to contribute to charities. The response was overwhelming with nearly 2.7 million contributed to CFC charities in just a three-month period. Organizers are hopeful this enthusiasm will continue when the fall campaign kicks off.

Service members can pledge monetary donations via payroll deduction or one-time gifts by credit card throughout the campaign. If someone is new to the military, or a recently-hired federal employee, they can make a pledge within their first two weeks of employment, any time of the year by going to  GiveCFC.org . Service members can also participate by following campaign updates and news via Facebook ,  Twitter,  Instagram and  LinkedIn .

Micone stressed that any donation matters during this unprecedented time.

“A contribution of any amount makes an impact. A pledge of $5 per pay period can add up to help a family or someone in need, which is invaluable in these urgent times.”

Service members also have the opportunity to pledge volunteer hours.

“Many charities even accept help virtually — so whether you have design talents and can help them make a flyer, share social media content, balance their accounting books, or translate documents, there are countless ways to Show Some Love,” Micone concluded.

Operation Heal Our Patriots® provides combat-wounded veterans and their spouses with a week of Biblically based marriage enrichment classes surrounded by the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, as well as ongoing chaplain care. This Samaritan’s Purse ministry is just one example of how we are helping to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting people across the globe in Jesus’ Name. Support our work via https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/

3 ways to keep kids safe online

By Lizann Lightfoot

Since coronavirus and virtual schooling, there has been a massive increase in the time children spend online. The Institute for Trafficked, Exploited, and Missing Persons (ITEMP) is concerned about children using apps and smart devices unsupervised.

“Kids are spending a much greater proportion of time online, which is a perfect target for people who want to take advantage of kids,” Patrick Atkinson, founder and president of ITEMP, said.

Atkinson has spent more than 40 years working to defend human rights in Central America, Southeast Asia and Africa, and has personally witnessed modern slavery and sex traffic. He founded ITEMP in 2001 to raise public awareness and social action against contemporary

slavery and human trafficking. ITEMP estimates that within the U.S., around 100,000 children are trafficked every year.

Many traffickers initially contact children online, and then groom them until the children have provided enough personal information or agree to meet in person. Parents can take steps to protect their family.

1. Common sense

Atkinson’s first tip is “take the computers and devices out of the bedroom! A computer opens up the bedroom and their personal unsupervised life to anyone they come in contact with online. You wouldn’t invite a stranger to hang out in your child’s room. Remember that a stranger online is just as dangerous.”

It’s safer to put computers in a common space like the family room or dining room, with the screen facing outwards.

Next, Atkinson recommends talking to kids about who they should friend online.

“Be naturally suspicious of anyone you meet online. They could have downloaded photos and fake posts, but we don’t know them and need to confirm before giving away personal information.”

2. Good communication

Online safety begins with good communication at home, Atkinson says.

“It’s more important to have the conversations and review the reasons for safety instead of just blocking everything.”

Teens will often learn how to get around parental blocks, and any child can use the internet on a friend’s device.

Start by teaching your child not to share personal information: their name and city. Kids should be comfortable talking to parents about anything strange they encounter online. This includes telling parents anytime someone send them requests for personal info.

Atkinson explains, “There is no legitimate reason for anyone to contact a child directly for personal information or photos. If someone asks to meet them or asks for more information, and they don’t actually know the person from school, I would want them to tell me immediately.”

Parents can help older children develop a personal code of ethics for online use. Apps make it easy to

Parental control software options

Qustodio ($39) This is a highly configurable, easy-to-manage tool for keeping track of your child’s activity on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

Kaspersky Safe Kids ($19)

This is a full-featured, affordable parental monitoring system for desktop and mobile platforms that doesn’t limit the number of devices you can monitor.

Norton Family Premier (6-month free trial) This offers multiple security features and the easy setup makes it easy for parents to track and manage their children’s activity across many devices, but it does not work on Macs.

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share photos and videos, but kids need to know that once something is posted, it is out there forever.

“Sending photos gives someone power over you. Your best friend today might not be your best friend forever. So never send something you wouldn’t want shared with the whole world or with your grandmother,” Atkinson said.

3. Basic supervision

While internet use will change as children get older, the basic safety rules will not.

“A parent has the right and the obligation to know what their child is doing online. A parent has every right to block certain sites and types of sites, then open them up as the child gets older,” Atkinson explained.

How can you tell when a child’s online conversations may turn into real-world danger?

“What should give a parent suspicion is if the kids are hesitant to tell me what they are doing, or if I walk up while they are using the computer and they click off the screen. A second warning sign is if they delete their browser history. A third is if they are using a service screener that hides their online activity. A person with nothing to hide has nothing to fear, but these actions shows that your child is aware of something uncomfortable and is hiding it.”

With common sense, good communication, and basic supervision, parents can make great strides to protect their children from becoming victims online.

Patrick Atkinson

HOME LOANS ENTREPRENEUR FOR THE MILITARY

By Jessica Manfre—SPONSORED

Military-affiliated entrepreneurs who earn self-employment income face unique challenges when seeking a home loan. It isn’t impossible, but it will be what is considered a documentation burden.

Bryan Bergjans is Senior Vice President of Military Lending for Caliber Home Loans. He’s also a Navy Reserve officer, so he completely understands military life.

“Self-employed borrowers have different challenges when seeking mortgages. It is an administrative marathon for them to get home loans,” Bergjans said.

The reason for this is that selfemployed borrowers must prove their business is stable, so that they can ensure you can pay your bills. They also want all of this documentation to demonstrate you have a proven track record of paying your debts.

Bergjans explained that they have to have audited documents by a certified public accountant, or CPA, which makes income checks take a little longer. He also said that some business owners will pay themselves through W2’s, but that it isn’t enough. The underwriter will

still want to see a profit and loss statement along with tax returns.

“A lot of self-employed borrowers are misguided in the process because they don’t know they have to provide that stuff,” Bergjans shared.

He also explained that when seeking a home loan, you must have been self-employed and showing that income on your tax returns for at least two years.

“We want to see a two-year work history of you running your own business. Sometimes you can get approved in a year and a half if you’ve just transitioned from the military and may be in the same line of work, but otherwise, two years is standard.”

Bergjans also stressed the importance of showing finances that are organized and doing well. Without those two things, securing a home loan will be difficult. This means that the self-employed borrower needs to ensure that their income hasn’t fluctuated too much. Significant decreases in documented income could disqualify the borrower.

The borrower’s debt to income ratio must also be around 43% or lower. This is to ensure that all of

your debts are actually manageable. Another thing a self-employed borrower should be mindful of is not writing off too much on expenses. This is because lenders will look at income after expenses are deducted, which could impact approval.

The VA handbook includes all things VA loans and there is a chapter specifically devoted to those with self-employment income. In that handbook, it implicitly says that the financial documents that the borrow presents must be sufficient for a loan underwriter. But regardless of whether the borrower does a VA or conventional loan, the requirements for documentation remain the same.

Bergjans had one last strong piece of advice for the self-employed military community: “Your income really matters. It’s really important that you make sure that your business is healthy.”

Though all the documentation may be daunting for those who are self-employed, it isn’t impossible. Caliber Home Loans has a dedicated team of professionals in their Military Lending division that are dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams of home ownership. Visit www.caliberhomeloans.com for more information.

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