2021 MF MAY

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MAY 2021 by AMERIFORCE MEDIA,
ON BASE CO-WORKING SPACES NEW AIR FORCE GUIDELINES LOVE LOSS AND COVER TIP PoppyInMemory.com We remember those who served as freedom’s light. USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. © 2021 USAA. 270113-0521 MEMORIAL DAY PoppyInMemory.com We remember those who served as freedom’s light. USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. © 2021 USAA. 270113-0521 MEMORIAL DAY
LLC

Teal Yost

Jessica Manfre

Laura Adams Boycourt

Kari Williams

Krista is a force of a human being. She’s strong, kind, warm, self-deprecating, and unbelievably funny. As the co-founder of The Unquiet Professional, she’s dedicated her life to helping military families in times of need.

When Krista told me that she feels overwhelming gratitude for the kindness she’s seen as a widow, I was floored. “Someone told me, ‘there’s nothing more beautiful than when a community comes together and chooses you,’” she said. “And my family and I have been chosen and there’s beauty in that.”

Incredible, right? Are you teary-eyed too? I can’t help but think that Krista is the mirror we all need to look inward and ask ourselves—what are we grateful for and how are we showing it?

As you read the pages of our annual military appreciation issue, I hope you feel the gratitude we have for the duty, honor, and sacrifices of our armed forces and our military families.

Wishing you all the best,

Heather Hawley

Chris Adams

Amy Pottinger

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR contributors ON THE COVER
PHOTO COURTESY OF TRISH ALEGRE-SMITH
COURTESY PHOTO Krista Simpson Anderson with her children Gabriel and Michael and her husband Master Sgt. Gus Anderson.
@MilitaryFamiliesMagazine @militaryfamiliesmagazine @MilFamiliesMag
Susan Malandrino Gold Star widow Krista Simpson Anderson and Assistant Editor Susan Malandrino.
www.militaryfamilies.com | 3
Spending time with Gold Star widow Krista Simpson Anderson was more than a gift. It was an inspiration that moved me to my core.

President and Publisher Todd Taranto

Managing Editor Bianca Strzalkowski

Production Editor Melissa Stewart

Assistant Editor Susan Malandrino Design Open Look Business Solutions

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Contents
18
Army
the charge on coworking spaces for military spouses
Air Force spreads its wings with CEA height standards 08 by Kari Williams Fighting food insecurity through community gardening 14 by Heather
Love and loss
Susan Malandrino 10 MAY 2021 ISSUE
Hawley
by
24
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 requests can be made online at https://militaryfamilies.com/ print-magazines/ Individuals can order a free digital copy of this issue at https://militaryfamilies.com/digital-magazines/ 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.
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Texas military community rallies to saves turtles

Amid the historic snowstorms and frigid temperatures that battered the Lone Star state earlier this year, members of one Texas military community gathered to save hundreds of green sea turtles left cold-stunned along the shore.

According to Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Corpus Christi (DDCT), the water in Corpus Christi Bay dipped to 31 degrees, which is significantly colder than the turtles can tolerate. As a result, the animals went into a “cold-stunned” state, a condition similar to hypothermia. Some perished, others bobbed listlessly in the water, while many others still washed up on shore, where they caught the attention of the military community.

“We knew with the weather changing that the turtles would be in danger,” Cheryl Jason, a Navy spouse, said. She, along with her husband, Capt. Christopher Jason, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC), monitored the animals along base beaches. Once they realized the turtles were suffering, Christopher rescued several in his kayak.

Cheryl posted a photo of their efforts on social media and the mission quickly went viral. “Volunteers from all ranks, dependents, retirees came into action,” she said.

Marine spouse Shannon Slocum saw the post and decided to head to the beach to see the situation for herself.

“We arrived down there with our kids in tow and were devastated to find at least 50 cold-stunned sea turtles who were washed up along a very small beach area on the base,” Slocum said, adding that they had no idea nearly 800 more turtles would drift to the shore in the days after.

Slocum worked as fast as she could but was soon overwhelmed by the sheer volume of animals washing ashore. She too turned to social media for help.

“I took a quick video of what we were doing and posted it to the Corpus Christi Spouses Facebook page, and people responded to help in droves.”

Helpers got to work with quick and creative thinking

and assisted in any way they could, Slocum said, noting that people used everything at their disposal including kayaks, paddleboards, and rescue diving gear. Her husband, 2nd Lt. Mark Slocum, and a friend created an impromptu pulley system made of a laundry basket and ropes.

“From that small effort alone, I think they pulled up 12 turtles that otherwise had no way of being rescued.”

6 | www.militaryfamilies.com SPOTLIGHT

Over the next three days, Slocum and her family, with the help of the Padre Island National Seashore, transported more than 150 cold-stunned sea turtles to rescue facilities.

Navy spouse Emily Kalbach, a GS employee who works at NASCC, and her daughter joined the effort, offering support, towels, and gloves to the volunteers. In the days that followed, she used her minivan to transport hundreds of turtles from the beach to the DDCT facility.

“I can’t quite put words to the heaviness of the situation,” Kalbach said. “The anxiety we felt, fear, the awe, all those feelings that drive people to react and take action when a need arises.”

When buildings at NASCC proved too cold, base leadership connected with a variety of agencies, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, to find appropriate facilities and ensure the turtles were being cared for properly.

DDCT’s employees spent the night wrangling turtles that tried to scurry away, keeping the animals’ eyes moist, and having a squadron of pilots take “turtle watch.” Their efforts helped save 750 turtles.

Biji Pandisseril, NASCC’s environmental director, said that it was a group effort, as everyone from officers and enlisted, retirees, Coast Guardsmen, DOD civilians, and on- and offbase individuals took part.

“This was not only a good example of the military helping the environment, but also a great example of diverse people coming together for a common good,” said Pandisseril.

The Texas State Aquarium says it admitted and cared for more than 1,000 cold-stunned sea turtles at its Wildlife Rescue Center, nursing them back

to health in a large, heated rehabilitation saltwater pool. Since the rescue, it has released approximately 950 of the animals back into their habitats.

“We greatly appreciate the ongoing partnership with NAS Corpus Christi,” Texas State Aquarium Senior Vice President and Chief Operation Officer Jesse Gilbert, said.

According to Gilbert, the rapid response of the community is the reason so many animals stand a chance of surviving rehabilitation and ultimately

being released back into the wild.

Looking back on the experience, Slocum says tight-knit communities such as Corpus are built to field these types of situations.

“I have to say, as a military spouse/family, especially a seasoned one, you learn very quickly what it means to adapt and overcome difficult situations. We made do with what we could, and at the end of the day, we were just really proud of our efforts.”

“This was not only a good example of the military helping the environment, but also a great example of diverse people coming together for a common good.”
Emma and Ellie Slocum pose with rescued turtles. Their family helped transport more than 150 animals.
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Capt. Christopher Jason and Biji Pandisseril spearheaded efforts at NASCC.

AIR FORCE WITH CEA HEIGHT STANDARDS SPREADS ITS WINGS

An ongoing study that modernized Air Force height standards has widened eligibility to more than 40% of U.S. females – updating parameters that had been stagnant since the 1960s. Previous career-enlisted aviator (CEA) entry standards maintained a minimum height requirement of 64 inches, preventing 43% of females from enlisting.

Master Sgt. Brittany, 91st Attack Squadron first sergeant, is one of the first enlisted aviators to take the step outside her career field to become a first sergeant, while still maintaining her flight hours and required qualifications.

Lt. Col. Edemumo Oboho, lead action officer for Air Education and Training Command Rated Diversity Improvement, said in an email that the time had come to update these standards. “As part of the Air Education and Training Commanders rated diversity effort, it was time for these requirements to be based on safety standards and ability to accomplish the mission rather than standards determined over 50 years ago.”

The following interim standards went into effect in March as part of a larger anthropometric study in which critical flying CEA fields and certain aircraft were surveyed:

58 to 80 inches for sensor operators and enlisted RPA pilots.

59 to 80 inches for airborne mission systems specialists, airborne cryptologic language analysts, and airborne ISR operators.

60 to 80 inches for inflight refueling specialists and flight attendants.

62 to 80 inches for flight engineers and special mission aviators.

63 to 80 inches for aircraft loadmasters.

Photo by Natalie Stanley.
IN THE NEWS 8 | www.militaryfamilies.com

The all-encompassing study began in August 2020, with the CEA aspect kicking off in February. Master Sgt. Jason Kornhauser, Headquarters’ Air Force Career Enlisted Aviators Anthropometric Project Officer, said in an email that the study is an opportunity to significantly decrease barriers for minorities, as well as a way to gather data for risk acceptance in safety of flight.

“The ongoing study results will provide a first-of-its-kind database that truly is groundbreaking with a focus on enlisted aircrew duties and positions, leveraging expanded recruitment talent the Air Force needs to win tomorrow’s fight,” he said.

Stature, according to Kornhauser, plays a critical role for CEAs. While pilots typically remain seated, several other roles require movement around the cabin.

“These roles are essential to the combat lethality of the aircraft and the safety of the crew, passengers, and the aircraft,” Kornhauser said. “However, stature is only one element of a safety standard.”

Lt. Col. Jessica Ruttenber, leader of the Women’s Initiatives Team, said in an email that her team championed and sourced funding for a CEA anthropometric project to update physical entry standards for enlisted aviators. Changes resulting from the study, according to Ruttenber, will reduce barriers and allow for a more diverse pool of potential recruits.

Kornhauser said the interim standards are rooted in safety while aiming to create a more lethal Air Force. Overall, he said the study will provide a scientific base for requirements that will enhance safety and diversify the Air Force.

A 2018 Department of Defense report stated that 71% of young adults have health, fitness, or education factors that prevent them from joining the military. To maintain a competitive advantage over other countries, the military must modernize its capabilities to attract and retain talent, according to Ruttenber.

“Simply put, the U.S. can’t afford to continue to drown in self-imposed engineering barriers,” she said. “Failure to do so will

result in our inability to remain a strategic competitor.”

The standards, according to Kornhauser, will be updated as reviews of CEA Air Force specialty codes are completed.

“The schedule is built around AFSC groups to expedite potential updates to the Medical Standards Directory and Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory,” Kornhauser said.

Releasing and enacting new height standards before the completion of the study is a way to

accelerate change, according to Kornhauser.

“Until then, potential recruits and current Airmen should know that changes to remove barriers are coming and they should not selfeliminate from their dream of a career in Air Force aviation,” Kornhauser said.

Though the current height standard of 64 to 77 inches remains in place, the interim data is a standing waiver to those measurements. Official changes will not be made until the anthropometric study is complete, which is anticipated to be October 2022.

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“It was time for these requirements to be based on safety standards and ability to accomplish the mission rather than standards determined over 50 years ago.”
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LOVE LOSS AND

HEADER TITLE
LEGACY 10 | www.militaryfamilies.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRISTA SIMPSON ANDERSON

Gold star widow Krista Simpson Anderson connects deeply with the story of Margaret Cochran Corbin, a hero of the American Revolution. When her husband, James Corbin, was mortally wounded during a 1776 battle, she took over for him, loading the cannon and firing on the British.

“And I think about today, and our husband’s fall, and we, as widows, now have to take the place, pick up the torch,” Krista said.

And she’s done just that since losing her husband, Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, a Special Forces Green Beret, who was killed in action in 2013.

Krista has devoted her life to telling the stories of the fallen, sharing her gratitude, and living and loving more deeply than she ever thought possible. Her nonprofit, The Unquiet Professional (TUP), provides opportunities for Gold Star families, veterans, and military families to heal from the wounds of war. Her work has made such an impact that in 2018, she was named Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year®.

“It’s pretty impressive – what Krista’s been able to do with The Unquiet Professional,” Army Master Sgt. Gus Anderson, whom Krista married in 2017, said. “She helps a lot of families in times of need.”

At TUP, Krista sees many service members lose their story in death. Oftentimes, all that can be found on the internet is a service member’s date of birth, date of death, how they died, and their unit. She says that when someone dies in service to the nation it is a gift that shouldn’t be squandered.

“Not having their stories readily accessible seems like a missed opportunity.”

Talking about Mike and telling his story has been so important

for Krista’s children, Michael and Gabriel, who were 1 and 3 at the time of his death.

“If I don’t do this, if I don’t tell his story, then how will they tell their children about their dad? How will they say, this was your grandfather? This was your great grandfather?”

Krista knows firsthand how powerful it is to share these stories. Over the years, she’s had transformative encounters with others who knew Mike, showing her that there are no coincidences in life. There’s the story of a nurse, Kat Munoz, who cared for Mike after he was wounded in Afghanistan. While in the operating room, Munoz met her future husband.

The couple, now retired, reside in Georgia with their daughter Harper Michael, named in his honor. There’s the story of the Army chaplain who helped Mike as he lay dying at the hospital in Germany, an experience so profound that he wears Mike’s name on a bracelet to remember his sacrifice.

“From the pain, there’s so much life that emerges from it,” she said.

Shortly after Mike died, a woman stopped Krista and told her the story of her father dying when she was a small child. “This woman said, ‘That day I lost my dad and I lost my mom too. She couldn’t care for me and love me like she would have if my dad was there.’”

Krista says that this conversation gave her the push to say her kids deserve more. “How would he feel if I just curled up in a ball and decided that my life was over and never gave his children the life that they deserved to have — the life that he died for. The freedom, the joy, and all of the things that we have an opportunity to experience, how would we feel if I didn’t give them that? Then, what did he die for?”

Krista says she never wanted the title of “widow” but as her relationship with Gus progressed, she worried about letting it go if she found love again. “I was afraid that I would be letting Mike go. It was like that title was directly tied to

“From the pain, there’s so much life that emerges from it”
www.militaryfamilies.com | 11

Mike and if I severed that ... I think of that visual of letting a helium balloon go.

“I think there was a point that we knew we were going to be together and we thought, ‘This is terrible. You were Mike’s friend. You were his teammate. You’re going to be judged. I’m going to be judged.’ There was just so much stress and worry around that,” she said.

She flew to Texas to talk to Mike’s family about the possibility of dating Gus. “His mother, Barbara Simpson, said to me, ‘I prayed since a week after Mike died that you would find someone.’”

With the support of Mike’s family, she realized two important things — she has a

right to be happy and that she wasn’t too broken to love.

Krista says that she received a sign from Mike right before she walked down the aisle with Gus. Waking up on her wedding day, 18 inches of snow had fallen, the exact same amount of snow that had fallen the night before her wedding to Mike.

During the ceremony, they lit a candle on the altar to signify that Mike would always be a part of their family. “It would always be the five of us. We would always honor him.”

Today the family resides in Northern Virginia. Gus will retire from the Army later this year and Krista continues her work with TUP. The boys, who are now 9

and 11, love Pokémon and fishing.

“Mike was very proud to share with people that he was Special Forces,” Gus said. “Kind of like how you want to share your Pokémon stories,” he said, turning to Michael and Gabriel with a laugh.

Krista feels that there’s beauty in both the sorrow and new beginnings of her story and where her family is today.

“Everyone looks at Mike, because of his service and sacrifice that he’s the hero. Gus is the hero ...I get two of them, two heroes,” she concluded.

The Unquiet Professional (TUP)

“We are able to bring peace and joy and hopefully reduce some stress for families in need,” said Krista Simpson Anderson, cofounder of the organization said.

The organization’s name

Instead of being low-key about his Green Beret status, as is the norm in the community, Staff Sgt. Michael Simpson proudly announced his Special Forces title whenever he could. He was affectionately known as “the unquiet professional.”

Inspiration for the organization

At Mike’s funeral, Krista wondered how she got there — both literally and figuratively. “I felt like I had just been picked up and put there,” she said. It was through the help of the USO, Green Beret Foundation, the Army, the Fisher House, Special Ops Warrior Foundation, and a whole host of other entities and individuals that made the funeral seamless and helped her and her family through the most difficult time of their lives. Today, TUP is connecting these dots and bringing resources together for other families in times of need.

TUP’s mission in action

When a Gold Star family was invited to the White House but didn’t have the means to get there, TUP stepped in to help. From providing a recumbent bike for a veteran who had a stroke to helping fund a hot tub for an Air Force family with a disabled child, the organization seeks to empower veterans and their families.

Memorial mile

TUP annual memorial mile, which will be held on May 31, does more than simply honor the fallen through a walk, run, bike, hike, or swim — it encourages participants to tell and share their stories.

To learn more about TUP or to register for this year’s memorial mile, visit https://www.theunquietprofessional.org

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COMMUNITY GARDENING INSECURITY

COMMUNITY
14 | www.militaryfamilies.com
FIGHTING THROUGH

Before

Seeing a need in her community, she turned her passion and green thumb for growing food into a robust project to help military families in need.

“At first, I was happy just to have excess fresh food to give away, but that soon led to an idea to teach people that even in tiny spaces they can grow their own food,” Green said.

Through the Change Your Narrative project, she’s helping military families fighting food insecurity.

According to a 2019 study by the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), one in eight military and veteran families are suffering from food insecurity. Research found that in certain pockets of the country, like Washington State where Green is based, that number can often be as high as one in five.

“We have the time and the finances to help those who are in need,” Green said. “For us, it is a passion. My goal is to teach these younger families a means to support themselves.”

Army spouse Desiree Alvarez, whose husband is stationed at nearby Joint Base LewisMcChord, currently participates in the program. Her family works with Green to farm the land and cultivate vegetables. During the

process, she says she and her children have already learned so much.

“Our kids love it. I think this project is just what the community needs,” she said.

Alvarez says that she has learned to grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables.

“It would be incredible if more military families had this knowledge and these resources. It could potentially help so many.”

Shelley Kimball, senior director of research and program evaluation for MFAN, says her organization is consistently working to figure out the best ways to help those in need. In fact, the group recently launched an effort to distribute 1 million meals to families in need

“We try to figure out how these families get there and how best to help them before they get to hunger,” she said.

According to Kimball, the problem of food insecurity and military families is complex. MFAN began researching the issue in 2017, and since then has found food insecurity is rarely one event or one moment.

“It is a range of events, so (the study) helps us see where people are on that spectrum.”

The additional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded this issue for many. According to a statement released in March , MFAN is actively working with partner organizations to locate and share resources so families know where to go for food. It is partnering with advocacy organizations to make more solutions available for the military community.

Back on the farm in Washington State, Green is growing those solutions. Her latest crop includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, peas, peppers, spinach, and tomatoes. She’s teamed up with a local farm to provide milk and participants will soon learn to make butter, cheese, and yogurt. She’s adding additional beehives to provide honey to serve as crop pollination for local farms.

Green said her goal is to bridge the rural community with the military spouse community. Going forward, she hopes to incorporate veterans, particularly those fighting homelessness, into the program.

Alvarez has been cultivating her own green thumb and said the program has made a real difference for families in need at JBLM. She added her children are excited about raising chickens.

Green says the chickens have made every day an Easter egg hunt for the kids enrolled in the program.

“We like to lay eggs in random places and watching the kids hunting the eggs is priceless. It is so amazing to watch their smiles and laughs. Then they get to clean and take home the eggs they gathered.”

For more information about the Change Your Narrative project, contact Green at lorijgreen@ changeyournarrativetoday.com. To learn more about MFAN, visit www.militaryfamilyadvisorynetwork.org.

Army spouse Lori Green often found her vegetable garden overflowing with produce.
Along with her greenhouse, Green has chickens that supply eggs. She gives excess eggs to military families.
the greenhouse was operational, Green began planting seedlings in her dining room. Now, these extra plants will go to military families who participate in her project.
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THIS TRAVEL PODCAST TAKES

LISTENERS AROUND THE WORLD

Air Force spouse Megan Springer Chapa believes that by learning about other people and cultures, you learn a lot about yourself. As the host of Travel Radio Podcast, she takes listeners around the world, and, she said, elevates worthy voices in the tourism industry along the way.

The genesis for a podcast began when Chapa realized that people loved to hear about the trips she and her colleagues were planning for clients.

“At parties, people would say, ‘If I had known that was possible, I would not have taken my last vacation; I would rather have done that.’”

An OCONUS move in 2017 made working with clients in the states too logistically challenging, and since then, she’s focused on creating quality content for her show. It’s an effort that’s paid off as the

program consistently ranks in the top 5% of podcasts in the world.

“I couldn’t find the content I wanted to hear,” she said. “I wanted an alternative.”

Each week the podcast takes listeners to a new destination or provides tips from industry insiders to help listeners maximize their travel experience. The episodes are diverse in terms of content and location and can be as exotic as the “Top three reasons to visit Scandinavia,” “India for foodies,” and “Jonesing for Japan,” or a little closer to home like “Exploring hidden destinations in Northern Michigan,” “Day trips from Boston,” and “Nashville’s music venues.”

Chapa says that with the pandemic’s impact on travel, many around the world who depend upon tourism for their livelihood are struggling. With

her podcast and digital platform, she works to be intentional about lifting unique voices.

Recently, she’s worked with local guides to hold virtual tours of Iceland, Dublin, Ireland, and most recently Lima, Peru. For a nominal fee, home-bound participants can transport themselves around the globe.

Chapa says the guides are so appreciative. “I don’t know if we changed this young woman’s life in Peru but I hope we moved the needle a little bit for her and maybe altered her trajectory and encouraged her to keep going and pursue her dream in tourism.”

Looking to the future of the industry, Chapa predicts that travel will be back in full force within the next year. “Travelers want to travel. Cruisers want to cruise.”

But she cautions that travelers should expect fees and to pay for experiences, rather than try to score free opportunities.

“You’re investing in the travel ecosystem and it’s going to die away unless we support it,” she concluded.

What makes a good podcast?

According to Chapa, a podcast has to be good storytelling and cannot be overly sales-driven.

“Being likable, selfdeprecating, and making your guests comfortable with an easy rapport are all key as well,” she says.

“If they like you, if they like the content, they are going to listen to another episode.”

Favorite episodes

Two of her favorite interviews happen to be with fellow military spouses: Suzie Schwartz, travel professional and wife of a former Air Force chief of staff, and Dina Farmer, military spouse and autism needs travel specialist.

Why do you travel?

From riding camels in the Canary Islands to watching her son cheer during “It’s a Small World” in Disney Paris, Chapa says that helping her children discover the world serves as her travel inspiration.

Forecast for the future

Travelers should expect additional travel fees. Additionally, requirements for medical insurance may become more common. Travelers should also expect to pay for entry and exit COVID testing.

The
16 | www.militaryfamilies.com TRAVEL
travel radio podcast can be found on iTunes or online at www.travelradiopodcast.com.

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ARMY LEADS THE CHARGE ON

COWORKING SPACES FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

Year after year, barriers to spouse employment are one of the most significant challenges military families say they face. Now, the Army is trying to address those challenges by developing a professional place for military spouses to work outside the home.

Army spouse Sarah Benson is a science writer.

“My job is 95% remote,” she said. “I talk to scientists on the phone and interview them about new research and findings. I can pretty much do that wherever.”

But working from home isn’t always the ideal situation.

“The kids are distracting. They’re constantly interrupting,” Benson adds.

She said she’s even tried working from a home office while a nanny or babysitter takes care of the kids, but it proves problematic.

“They barge into the office anyway, even when I’ve told them the babysitter is in charge. That’s why I’ve relied on places to work outside the house, away from those distractions.”

Benson said while stationed in Hawaii and San Antonio, she was able to find private coworking spaces. Then her family got orders to Fort Belvoir.

“One of the first things I did, even before we got here, was look up coworking spaces and there really wasn’t anything close by. There are plenty of coworking spots in D.C. or Alexandria, but I was looking for something closer than a 20- or 30- minute drive.”

Before COVID-19, Benson relied on working from local or on-base libraries, but that came with its own issues.

“I couldn’t make phone calls from the library workspace, so I’d go out to my car to make calls and then come back inside to work. A coworking space on or close to base is really needed,” Benson said.

The Army is working to make that happen in the D.C. area and at installations across the country.

EMPLOYMENT
IMAGES COURTESY OF USO METRO
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BASE
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“One of the challenges to military spouses working remotely is finding quality, professional workspaces. Spouses often settle for coffee shops or libraries, but they need more than just internet access,” Lt. Col Keith Wilson said.

He is coordinating the coworking space initiative for the Army.

The first of these coworking spaces, designed specifically for spouses, is now open at the USO’s Warrior and Family Center on Fort Belvoir.

“The Army reached out, told us about this initiative, and we knew it was something we wanted to be a part of. We want to stay current in addressing military family needs and this is obviously a high priority,” said Lisa Marie Riggins, president and CEO of USO Metro, which serves the entire capital region.

“We wanted to do it right and do it at a high level,” Riggins added.

Riggins said they had the space to commit to the project — a respite lounge in the building — going mostly unused. Thanks to $80,000 in financial support from USO Inc., the newlyrenovated area has state-of-the-art ergonomic workspaces, noise-canceling telephone booths, a conference room equipped with technology for video calls and conferencing, an outdoor terrace with furniture, and a coffee bar and lounge.

“Everything was done with a lot of thought. We felt as being the first ones out of the gate that we wanted to be an aspiration for others.”

The Army Quality of Life Task Force set a goal to set up spouse coworking spaces at eight Army installations during 2021. In addition to Fort Belvoir, those include Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and West Point, New York.

Work is already underway for the coworking space on Fort Knox.

Maj. Gen. John Evans Jr., commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, pointed to priorities laid out by Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville.

“He’s really taken an approach of putting people first in our Army, and in support of that, we’ve put together a people-first strategy.”

Evans says that includes quality of life initiatives benefiting service members and

family members, including better housing, improved dining facilities, and these coworking spaces for spouses.

Evans said the co-working space on Fort Knox should be ready in the next few months.

Meantime, the hope is that the workspaces on Army installations are just the start.

“We‘re happy to lead the charge,” Wilson said. “We had an opportunity to present this initiative to the Joint Services Partnership Board. They were interested in what we’re

doing, and I think as we build the concept on some of our posts, it will give us a great model to share with other services.”

On Fort Belvoir, the military spouse coworking space is open for (spouses to do) business. The center can accommodate nearly 30 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“When we’re seeing the space utilized, there will be designated scheduling,” Riggins said. “We can’t wait to see spouses here working side-by-side with other professionals, and we envision great opportunities for networking.”

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www.militaryfamilies.com | 19

SURVIVING SPOUSE REMEMBERS

HUSBAND WITH LAUGHTER, NOT TEARS

Gold Star widow and Navy veteran Emily Feeks can’t help but smile when talking about the animated tales of her husband’s life. In the years since his death, Emily has embraced her complex love story with Patrick “Pat” Feeks — one described as a whirlwind romance with comedic happenings, but also includes the unimaginable void that comes from missing him.

Pat always wanted to be a Navy SEAL. His father was a retired Navy captain and his sister commissioned as an officer. Pat was so determined that he overcame a variety of vision issues, including eye surgeries, to fulfill his goal and enlist in 2006.

In his role with the SEALs, Pat was responsible for calling in airstrikes as a joint terminal air controller.

Petty Officer 1st Class Emily Booth, who joined the Navy in 1999 after high school, knew that cryptologist technician (CTR) was the perfect job for her. In this highly-technical and precise role, she provided an in-depth analysis of ongoing threats. She said the

complex challenges of working with Naval Special Warfare were the most gratifying aspect of the job.

Both highly motivated and driven, it’s no surprise that Emily and Pat hit it off during a chance meeting out on the town in 2010. Fresh off deployments, Pat was just back from Iraq and Emily from Afghanistan.

Emily says they were surprised that they hadn’t met before because she was one of the few female service members who supported Pat’s team in her CTR role.

“We never even saw each other and we must have met in meetings, but I kept my head down. You know as a female, there were only two of

us in the room so you keep your head down,” she said.

After they became a couple, Emily began working with a different Special Forces team. Busy schedules kept the two on their toes.

“Suddenly, we were married,” Emily said with a laugh. “We had to elope to Vegas because he was in the middle of sniper training.”

She left for a deployment to the Philippines shortly after their elopement. Pat was able to visit her in Asia for a couple of weeks.

Emily returned home in early December of 2011 only to have Pat leave for Afghanistan with

SEAL Team 3 three weeks later. Although disappointed about the short reunion, both were committed to their Navy careers, assuring themselves that time together would come.

In August, Pat promised to check in with her at midnight when his team returned from a mission. But he never did. Emily turned the TV on in the middle of the night and CNN was showing news of a helicopter crash. Her heart froze.

When she arrived at work, a friend’s face said it all.

Continue reading on page 30

Pat Feeks, pictured here in the field, was one of seven Americans killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Aug. 12, 2012.
20 | www.militaryfamilies.com SACRIFICE
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VSOs share hopes for the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs

A change in leadership often brings a fresh perspective and set of priorities, and several veterans service organizations are optimistic that a new VA secretary will mean an opportunity to push agendas that best serve veterans.

Shortly after the Senate voted to confirm Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, we reached out to several VSOs to gather opinions on what should top his list of goals.

“We are looking forward to working with him,” said Mario Marquez, national legislative director for the American Legion. “Our number one priority is taking care of veterans and their families.”

Marquez said that in the short term, that looks like addressing issues brought on by COVID-19, including reducing the significant CMP (comprehensive medical panel) backlog that is preventing veterans from being able to adjudicate health claims as well as eliminating financial boundaries that stop the elderly, particularly World War II vets, from receiving care.

He noted that mental health is a “perennial issue,” but particularly crucial in this time of increased isolation.

“We have these veterans who go from being in a highly-connected social environment, and they go back into a society where people are much more individualistic, where the idea of being part of a community is more than about just being colocated geographically.”

Marquez said the Legion works on connecting secluded vets through its Buddy Checks program, and he would like the VA, under McDonough’s tutelage, to join the organization in implementing a Buddy Check week that encourages peer support and engagement through vets reaching out and checking in with one another.

AMVETS’ National Communications Manager Miles Migliara agrees mental health should be at the forefront of

McDonough’s plans for reform — the number one priority, in fact.

“It’s no longer sufficient for the Department of Veterans Affairs to congratulate themselves on 1-2% gains when 6,000-plus veterans lose their lives every year,” he said. “We need a paradigm shift with regards to mental health and suicide. We can continue with the status quo, or we can create meaningful change.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS DANIEL HINTON
22 | www.militaryfamilies.com VETERANS
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. Photo by Lisa Ferdinando.

He suggested that the VA becomes more receptive to alternative mental healthcare treatments and programs, such as acupuncture, equestrian therapy, and more.

“The President’s Roadmap to Empo wer Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) executive order, signed into law in 2019, allows for funding and resources to be provided to certain non-traditional methods programs in an effort to curb veteran suicide,” Migliara said. “It is crucial that the VA provides whatever support possible to see that these programs succeed.”

Another pertinent piece of legislation, he said, is the MISSION Act, also signed into law in 2019, that allows rural vets to more easily receive healthcare close to home. Also on the AMVETS wish list? Formulating and executing a better plan of action and culture of tackling and preventing sexual assault on VA campuses and creating a more welcoming environment for women and minority veterans.

Marquez echoed the same sentiments, especially since women are the fastestgrowing veteran demographic, he said.

“They are more engaged at the VA as a result of their service,” he said. “And they are not traditionally set up to address the needs of women veterans. The VA needs to make adjustments to make sure they receive the gender-specific care they need.”

Hannah Sinoway, executive vice present, organization, strategy, and engagement, of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), said they are focused on oversight of the implementation of both the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act and the Commander John Scott Hannon

Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Both of these bills would decrease gaps in care for women veterans, as well as make much-needed updates to mental health care and outreach to veterans that are not connected to VA services, she noted.

She said IAVA believes that McDonough brings senior leadership, policy, and Congressional expertise to the VA, as well as a beneficial and strong personal connection to the President.

“Running VA is a massive job that few are fully prepared for on day one,” she said.

“He has an incredibly steep learning curve in front of him. But he also has the ear and respect of President Biden as well as the ability to bring about policy reforms and attention by the White House and senior leaders that are needed for the improvement of VA. In his first few weeks, IAVA has been encouraged by his outreach and communication to the VSO community and we look forward to continuing our work with him.”

“We need a paradigm shift with regards to mental health and suicide.”
www.militaryfamilies.com | 23

NAVAL ACADEMY

CORNERBACK SETS SIGHTS ON NFL

Meeting the challenges of college football, top-tier academics, and the continual stress of military preparations is not easy. It’s a formidable triumvirate. Not just anyone can do it.

Kinley, a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy, is on a mission.

“I just want to put myself in a position to impact the lives of others in a positive manner,” Kinley, who played cornerback on the Navy football team, said.

And it seems his trajectory is placing him on the road to do just that.

“He’s got a vision for his life,” said James Adams, Kinley’s position coach at the Naval Academy. “He knows where he wants to head. He knows where he wants to end up.”

Football doesn’t define Kinley. His time away from the field has been distributed between academics, military responsibilities, his duties as co-class president, a leadership role in the Fellowship of

if you’re Cameron Kinley, then you have done it and then some.

But
24 | www.militaryfamilies.com SPORTS
Cameron Kinley, courtesy of The U.S. Naval Academy Sports Information Office.

Christian Athletes (FCA), and his involvement in the Midshipman Diversity Team, which seeks to educate people about the culture, perspectives, and backgrounds of others.

Adams said Kinley is a product of the love, guidance, and structure his parents and the Academy have given him.

“He’s just used it all to build himself into what he is today,” Adams said.

But the road behind hasn’t been a straightforward one to travel. He didn’t realize what he was getting into and committed preparation wasn’t enough.

“I prepared myself, but to be honest, you can’t really prepare yourself for the Naval Academy,” Kinley said. “You can work out all summer, read all the books and articles you want, but it’s a whole different story when you get out there because it’s just a change of environment.”

He struggled early on at the Academy, and doubt crept in, but he anchored his trust in his Christian faith and endeavored to persevere.

“It took a minute, but God started to unveil my purpose

behind coming here … it’s been tough, but I wouldn’t change my decision at all,” he said.

His football journey has been a trial too. It has consisted of substantial effort, some success, then disappointment — a cycle that made Kinley question whether he wanted to play the game he felt so passionate about.

his first couple of seasons. He leaned into a Bible verse (Jeremiah 29:11) given to him by his father to overcome the gridiron obstacles placed in his path. During the 2019 season, he maintained a starting position.

That year, the Mids went 11-2 (tying a school record) and beat

to protect the slant, Kinley said.

“And I was playing underneath on the fade and he tried to throw a back shoulder, and I was able to deflect it away. So being able to seize that moment and get that ‘dub’ for the seniors who sacrificed so much for this program was easily going to be the most memorable moment of my career, being to come up big for them.”

“You go from being the man in high school to coming up here and being dead bottom on the depth chart. So, boom, there’s already a blow right there.”

Fortunately, Kinley comes from a football family. His father, Richard, and brothers, Jonathan and Richard, played in college, and Jonathan made it to the NFL. He has benefited from their guidance.

“My dad told me, he said, ‘You’re going to find out if you really love the game when you start playing college football.’”

Kinley had setbacks during

Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. The team was ranked 20th in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls. His fondest football memory comes from that season.

“We were playing SMU, a very good football team … and it was the fourth quarter, fourth and goal, like a minute left,” he said. “I was matched up against James Proche, who plays for the (Baltimore) Ravens now. I knew they were coming my way. It was man coverage, one-on-one.”

It would be a slant or fade, so he played it somewhat heavy inside

NFL dreams have followed Kinley since childhood. Lining up against the best receivers in the game on Sunday would exceed many of the expectations placed on him. But he says the final word will come from God.

“It might not be the NFL for me, but I definitely feel He has something there for me so that I can continue to do his work and impact the lives of others.”

Kinley does plan on serving his country and fulfilling his commitment as an officer, whether the NFL becomes a reality or not. And after that?

“My biggest goal in life is to be the president. My mom (Candace Kinley) always told me, ‘If your dreams don’t scare you, then you’re not dreaming big enough.’”

“I just want to put myself in a position to impact the lives of others in a positive manner.”
Coach James Adams, courtesy of The U.S. Naval Academy Sports Information Office.
www.militaryfamilies.com | 25

VETERANS BUILD DEBT-FREE LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY

A recent Experian report reveals that married consumers are likely to have personal loan and credit card debt, along with a total average debt of $112,627 — exceeding the national average debt load by roughly $20,000. Army veterans Annette Harris, a former sergeant who served in logistics, and Dweise Harris, a retired chief warrant officer 3,

Annette enlisted in the Army to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her husband, Dweise, served for 22 years, pursuing a military career for several reasons, including to continue his education and set a path of his own. Aside from their mutual desire to work as soldiers, the Harrises also shared a common goal of becoming financially free.

“We wanted to become financially free and eliminate the interest that we were paying to creditors. Our ultimate plan was to be able to put money aside for travel, save money, and start building generational wealth. To do all of those things we decided to put together a debt payment plan,” Annette explained.

She said their first step was to focus on the high interest debt, minus their home mortgage. They started with making higher payments on their vehicle, then boat. Once that was taken care of, Annette said they increased their mortgage payments “by making principle only payments in addition to our regular payments.” She adds they also discovered a helpful trick.

“When paying extra money towards your mortgage payment, it’s important to ensure you’re applying the money towards the principle to reduce the balance you are paying interest on. In addition, ensuring that our mortgage did not have a pre-payment penalty was an important factor in being able to eliminate our debt,” she said.

Another important aspect of their success involved the actual planning. The Harrises outlined future financial goals, used Excel spreadsheets to track the monthly budget, and monitored banking and credit accounts for fraudulent activity. But working to pay off a lifetime of debt came with its own challenges.

“Being disciplined and waiting for delayed gratification was our biggest challenge. We wanted to go on trips or upgrade our vehicles. However, instead of traveling internationally or by plane, we traveled locally and by car. Dweise also did most of the repairs on our vehicles, so that we could save money and maintain our vehicles for the long run. I wanted a new vehicle, but I knew we had an end goal in mind,” Annette said.

Tips to get started on a debt-free lifestyle:

1. Write out a plan for future finances that includes buy in from all members of the family.

2. Update any income changes to adjust the plan.

3. Live below your means or according to the previous year’s budget.

Married couples in the U.S. carry more debt than their single counterparts, with data showing a difference of $61,000 between the two households.
Visit www.harriswealthcoach.com for more information on budgeting and debt management. 26 | www.militaryfamilies.com MONEY
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BURGER HOT DOG AND RECIPES

TO KICK OFF SUMMER

Summer is almost here and that means it’s grilling season. There’s nothing better than being outside with a cold drink in your hand and forging food from the fire. Since few things say summer like a hot dog or burger, we’ve brought you recipes for these warmweather staples with a few creative twists.

THE “GYRO” BURGER

Burger ingredients:

1 lb ground lamb

2 tsp salt

1 small, snack-sized sleeve of Ritz crackers, finely crushed Note: While you can use beef, lamb makes this burger truly superior in terms of flavor. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it.

Instructions:

Gently mix the ingredients together by hand until well incorporated. Roll meat into evenly-sized balls and gently press into patties. Before grilling, press a small dent/ hole in the middle with one of your fingers, to keep the burger from puffing up. Grill burger to 135 degrees for a medium cook or 125-130 for

a medium rare finish. Allow the patty to rest for a few minutes.

Note: Lamb has a lower cook temp than the ground beef.

Toppings:

Feta

Olive tapenade (store-bought)

Pepperoncini

Tomatoes, thinly sliced

Tzatziki (store-bought)

Lettuce

Sriracha

Bring it all together:

Top bun with olive tapenade. Add rested burger. Add feta, tzatziki, pepperoncini, lettuce, and thinly sliced tomato. Top with sriracha for an extra punch of flavor. Top with more tzatziki.

BREAKFAST FOR BURGER

Have you ever had a breakfast-themed burger? It is the dinner of champions.

Burger ingredients: Makes four patties

3/4 - 1 lb ground sirloin

3/4 - 1 lb ground chuck

1 egg

1 tbsp McCormick hamburger

seasoning

1 tsp salt

Sliced cheese of your choice. Havarti or pepper jack works well.

Instructions:

Gently mix everything together by hand. Form the patties into balls and then press into a patty that is roughly 1/2-inch thick. Before grilling, press a small dent/ hole in the middle with one of your fingers, to keep burger from puffing up. Grill burger, typically five minutes per side, until 135 degrees for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, top with sliced cheese. Allow the patty to rest for a few minutes.

Additional ingredients:

Bagel

Note: I used a jalapeno cheddar bagel for extra flavor but any bagel will do.

Cream cheese

Cooked bacon

Note: I recommend using center-cut bacon. Cook in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Cooked haystack french fries

Note: Heat vegetable oil in a pan and add thinly sliced fries. Cook until golden brown and top with salt.

Fried egg

Bringing it all together: Toast bagel. Put cream cheese on both sides. Add cooked burger patty with melted cheese. Add slices of cooked bacon. Add haystack fries. Add fried egg. Add top bagel and voila!

28 | www.militaryfamilies.com LIFESTYLE

THE PEANUT BUTTER BACON BURGER

I know this sounds insane but trust me on this one. If you like peanut butter, you will love this burger.

Ingredients:

Makes 4 patties

3/4 - 1 lb ground sirloin

3/4 - 1 lb ground chuck

1 egg

1 tbsp McCormick hamburger

seasoning

1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Gently mix everything together by hand. Form the patties into balls and then press into a patty that is roughly 1/2-inch thick. Before grilling, press a small dent/hole in the middle with one of your fingers to keep the patty from puffing up too much when cooking. Cook to the desired doneness. Allow the patty to rest for a few minutes.

Additional ingredients:

Buns

Peanut butter

Pickles

Lettuce

Tomato, thinly sliced

Cooked bacon

Note: I recommend using centercut bacon. Cook in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Bringing it all together: Grill buns. Spread a generous amount of peanut butter on both sides of the buns. Top with pickles. Add lettuce and tomato. Add burger patty. Add two to three strips of cooked bacon.

Put your top bun on and you’re ready to enjoy a brand-new culinary adventure.

NACHO AVERAGE HOTDOG

You don’t have to do much to make this American staple blow your mind.

Ingredients:

Hot dog buns

Hot dogs or brats

Note: I used jalapeno cheddar brats for extra flavor.

Queso

Sliced jalapeños

Chopped cilantro

Chopped yellow onion

Chopped tomatoes

Instructions:

Cook dog or brat. Toast bun. Add cooked hot dog or brat.

Top with queso, sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, chopped yellow onion, and chopped tomatoes. It is that easy!

Note: Feel free to get creative and add additional nacho toppings.

BBQ DOG

Equally simple. Equally tasty.

Ingredients:

Hot dog buns

Hot dogs or brats

Shredded brisket

BBQ sauce

Pickle

Coleslaw

Note: Refrigerated pickles are better than the ones you find in the condiment aisle. They are crisper and have better flavor.

Instructions:

Cook dog or brat. Toast bun. Add dog or brat. Add shredded brisket. Top with barbecue sauce and a pickle.

Note: I didn’t add coleslaw to mine, but I wish I had.

www.militaryfamilies.com | 29
And there you have it — simple and updated twists on backyard classics. Get outside and enjoy showing off your cooking chops while grilling with friends.

“I said, just tell me when to be on the plane. Whatever it is, it’s going to be OK. She said ‘No, he’s gone,’ and I just remember screaming. It felt like I was outside of my body,” Emily said.

Pat was among seven Americans and four Afghans killed when their helicopter crashed after sustaining enemy fire northeast of Kandahar on Aug. 16, 2012.

“He was the most calm and loving person. He was always joking around, having a good time but he also had the biggest heart,” Emily said. “I said, ‘I love you more.’ It was the last thing I said the night before he went out on the helicopter.”

Through the whole process, the Navy SEAL community served as a rock for Emily and Pat’s family.

During one deployment, Pat’s team was pinned down by the enemy when he jumped up and laid down fire. As the team assessed the damages, Pat relaxed with a Red Bull and veggie squeeze pouch from a care package Emily had sent him. The guys on the team couldn’t help but laugh as he offered to share, calm and steady with his snacks.

“I didn’t even know about it until he received the Bronze Star after he died,” Emily said.

Emily has spent the years since his death keeping his memory alive through helping others. She works with Gold Star families and the Navy SEAL Foundation, including its yearly Frogman Swim

A few years ago, she found love again when she met a teacher named Curtis Owen.

“I feel like Pat sent him to me,” she said.

Over the past few years, Curtis has completed the Frogman swim in Pat’s honor.

“He was the most calm and loving person. He was always joking around, having a good time but he also had the biggest heart.”

Emily remained on active duty until retiring in 2019; the only surviving spouse to do so within the Navy Special Warfare community. She now resides in Tampa, Florida. Over the years, she has remained close with Pat’s family. When she walks down the aisle to marry Curtis, she’ll be on the arm of Pat’s father.

As Emily starts this new chapter, she stresses the importance of soaking up time with your loved ones and living in the moment.

“My mantra now is to be proud of the path I am on,” Emily said with a smile. “Sometimes I just need to cry and miss him and that’s OK.”

The Unquiet Professional is honoring Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, Spc. John A. Pelham, and Maj. Philip D. Ambard for its 2021 Virtual Memorial Mile.

register for the #TUPMile, visit https://www.theunquietprofessional.org/tupmile.

Since his death, Emily heard so many new stories of Pat that would bring her to laughter — instead of tears. While on deployment in Afghanistan, a bull charged him but he couldn’t get away because he was weighed down with so much gear. Reflecting on the way he described falling, “ass over tea To
kettle,” still makes Emily laugh.
Petty Officers
1st class Pat and Emily Feeks were married in 2010. Pat was killed in action in 2012. 30 | www.militaryfamilies.com SACRIFICE
Continued from page 20
USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. © 2021 USAA. 269282-0521 MEMORIAL DAY PoppyInMemory.com Far away From all they knew, With hearts of pride And courage true, Vowed to serve As freedom’s light, And through their strength Our nation’s might, They gave all Our brave defenders, Where poppies lie, We will remember.

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