2021 MF OCTOBER

SKYDIVING SOLDIERS

SPARK A

GREAT IDEA

When I spoke with author Nicholas Sparks for this issue’s article about his latest book, I asked him if he ever feared that he would run out of ideas for his fiction novels. It seemed like a fair question — writing more than 20 New York Times best-sellers requires a ton of imagination.

“I’m never worried about running out of ideas,” he quickly answered. “The challenge is always to find the great idea.”

In fact, he revealed that the idea for “The Wish” had been on his mind for more than 20 years before he came up with a way to make it feel fresh and original.

It’s simple but sound advice — stick with your ideas and keep thinking of new concepts until you land on the best one. This month’s career issue features service members who have had great ideas that turned into prosperous jobs, creative outlets, solutions to help others, and more.

Some may think the idea of repeatedly jumping out of an airplane to entertain a crowd isn’t so great, but soldiers on the Golden Knights get a thrill out of their regular routine. Read more about how they train to be champions of the skies in our cover feature.

In Emma Comery’s “Building pride” piece, she introduces us to Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class Adam Stanton, whose award-winning idea gave him the opportunity to paint an original mural on the Virginia Maritime Museum to celebrate its 100th anniversary. When his concept stood out to contest judges, he took three weeks of leave, climbed into a crane, and got to work sketching out the four-story masterpiece.

On page 12 we learn how the out-of-the-box idea of beekeeping has helped many veterans transition into careers that are profitable and also provide them with a strong sense of purpose.

Helping others gives Holly Dailey purpose. Writer Jessica Manfre talked with the new AUSA director of family readiness about her big ideas for assisting military families. Learn more about the priorities she wants to push forth on page 14.

I encourage you to enjoy spending some time with this issue and taking note of good (and maybe even great) ideas.

Melissa Stewart Content Editor

contributors

Chris Adams

Barrett Baker

Emma Comery

Crystal Kupper

Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Jessica Manfre

Amy Pottinger

Heather Walsh

ON THE COVER

Kari Williams Sgt. 1st Class Ryan

@MilitaryFamiliesMagazine

@militaryfamiliesmagazine

@MilFamiliesMag

O’Rourke, a parachutist for the Golden Knights, makes a jump over LaurinburgMaxton Airport. Photo by Megan Hackett.

A mural created by Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class Adam Stanton to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Virginia Maritime Association.

by Barrett Baker

Latest Nicholas Sparks release explores teen romance, military families

by Melissa Stewart

Soul in the bowl: Soup and stew recipes for fall

by Amy Pottinger

by Kari Williams

by Emma Comery

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/

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Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost is currently awaiting Senate confirmation to become the first woman to lead U.S. Transportation Command, and if she has her way, many more will be coming up behind her.

Van Ovost was nominated for the position earlier this year. If confirmed, she will become the second female airman to lead a combatant command — an

pending confirmation to lead

Highest-ranking female general TRANSCOM

BY JESSICA MANFRE

opportunity she credits with the Air Force’s efforts to break down career barriers for women in its ranks.

“After being in the service for over 30 years, I am proud to watch the Air Force reduce the friction points so women especially can have a more fulfilling career and they don’t feel like they’re making a trade,” Van Ovost said. “I’ve been focused in my career to look for things in policy to make things better from a quality-of-life

standpoint and within the service.”

Standing beside her in support is her husband, Alan Frosch. He himself enlisted in 1970 and was a technician in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He spent 21 years in the Air Force as a C-141A/B flight engineer before retiring in 1991. Though they’d met earlier in Van Ovost’s Air Force career, it would be the water that brought them together.

“He was getting out and I met

him while he was still on active duty. I remember he was at a desk in the back of the airplane with this brochure out. He was talking about sailboat chartering and was taking all the tests to become a captain,” she explained.

Van Ovost left to respond to Desert Shield and Desert Storm but when she came back, she had some much-earned time off and found herself in Charleston, South Carolina..

PHOTO BY ROLAND BALIK

“I remembered there was somebody who had a boat in the harbor,” she said with a smile.

After finding a charting company, she discovered it was Frosch running it all.

“When I heard she was a pilot instructor I said, ‘I’ll teach you how to sail if you teach me how to fly,’ and she said OK,” Frosch said.

The rest, as they say, is history. Van Ovost credits female trailblazers who led the way for her and others. A 1988 graduate of the Air Force Academy, she was barred from flying fighter jets and was assigned to cargo planes instead. In 1993, the Pentagon lifted the ban and she was quick to take the test pilot assignment.

Frosch was frank in admitting going from veteran airman to the role of military spouse was challenging. Especially when Van Ovost received orders as a test pilot in the middle of the desert, which meant his sailboat captain career was ending.

“I’ve had about eight careers since then and most spouses do that,” he said.

Not only did he learn to fly and create new opportunities, Frosch found a space as an advocate for spouses and families.

While awaiting Senate confirmation for her nomination, Van Ovost is in charge of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. At the time she took command, she was the Armed Forces’ only female four-star general.

So, what does life look like for a four-star general? It’s pretty boring, both admitted. They treasure time with family and Frosch’s daughters from a previous relationship.

“We share a lot together and do things together. We’ve even gone on mission trips together because a big thing we have in common is our faith ... It just bonds us,” he explained.

The couple does a lot of work with foster children specifically and are passionate about increasing STEM opportunities for all youth.

When Van Ovost is home, you’ll often find them walking base trails and enjoying the quiet moments together, Frosch said.

It’s also where he discusses the needs and concerns of Air Force families, which are often unspoken or shared with Van Ovost due to her command role.

“The important thing is that team work really does make the dream work,” she added.

Van Ovost was quick to acknowledge the challenges of balancing such a demanding position and maintaining a fulfilling career, but was

adamant how a committed partnership in a relationship is what makes it all work for her. Her advice for other women looking to advance their careers while having a family was simple.

“It’s never 50/50; my life, it’s a combination of personal and professional every single day,” she said. “But the biggest thing to remember is to be completely in the moment when they do need you.”

“But the biggest thing to remember is to be completely in the moment when they do need you.”

Van Ovost with her husband, Alan Frosch

Mae Krier shares a moment with Van Ovost during a Pentagon visit.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. salutes Van Ovost, the incoming Air Mobility Command boss.

PHOTO BY DAVID VERGUN

— THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Making precision look fluid and simple (but it’s not)

BY BARRETT BAKER

Some people think the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is a little crazy. Others absolutely love the rush skydiving offers. For those in the latter category, the U.S. Army has a career offering that provides intensive training, even more extreme competitions, and the opportunity to jump out of airplanes (or use wind tunnels) pretty much as often as you would like.

In 1959, 19 Airborne soldiers from various military units formed the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team (STRAC). The team was gathered to compete in the relatively new sport of skydiving, which at that time was dominated by the Soviet Union. The U.S. Army team performed their first demonstration representing the United States at an international competition held in Danville, Virginia.

Two years later, the team was renamed the United States Army Parachute Team. By 1962, they earned the nickname the “Golden Knights” because “Golden” signified the gold medals the team had won in competitions, while “Knight” alluded to the team’s ambition to conquer the skies.

Since then, the Golden Knights have participated in more than 16,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries. The team has earned the U.S. Army 2,148 gold, 1,117 silver, and 693 bronze medals (and counting) in national and international competitions. They have also broken 348 world records.

The Golden Knights consists of both demonstration and competition teams that are drawn from all components of the U.S. Army. The demonstration teams appear at events such as air shows and other special events, and there is a tandem team that provides tandem jumps for celebrities, media personnel, and other VIPs, most notably President George H.W. Bush, who made three jumps with the Knights. The other members of the squad are two competition teams consisting of four-way formations (four jumpers) and eight-way formations (eight jumpers).

Sgt. 1st Class Jess Stahler, a 92R Parachute Maintenance Technician, serves as a competitor on the Golden Knights Eight-Way Formation Skydiving Team. His journey to “knighthood” began when he was in college, but he had no ambition at the time to join the Knights. On one summer break from school, he took a job as a wind tunnel instructor at SkyVentures Orlando (now iFly). After working there for a few years, he became close to the skydiving community and had more than 500 jumps under his belt before joining the Army.

“It kind of consumed me,” Stahler said. “I didn’t expect it to. Obviously, that was not my intent when applying for the job. But I got so much fulfillment and enjoyment because it challenged me in a completely new way — both physically and mentally. The sport of skydiving is pretty surreal when you’re learning how to control flight through the movements of your own body. You’re controlling the way the wind affects your movements.”

During his time as a civilian wind tunnel instructor, he met members of a team from Patrick Air Force Base who would use the wind tunnel for practice. He had seen the “Band of Brothers” series after graduating high

school and wanted to serve his country as his grandfathers had in World War II. The team from Patrick AFB solidified his conviction.

“These guys represented something different, something more,” Stahler explained. “They were well-traveled and they were cultured, internationally speaking. You could tell they had each other’s backs. That was really the spark that connected the dots of my experiences, talking about ‘Band of Brothers,’ and wanting to support my country and be a U.S. American soldier.”

mentor him and help position him in a way where he could select his MOS and have the greatest chance to serve on Fort Bragg, which is where the Knights are based.

There are two selections to the team made annually — one in the spring and one in the fall. In addition to having jump experience, they want to make sure that each candidate is instilled with the fortitude and endurance to do the job. Once they are selected and the team puts forward the effort to train them, they need to be able to

Stahler also met a former member of the Golden Knights who went the extra mile to Visit

sustain the mission and represent U.S. soldiers all over the world.

“It is difficult, and it is 100% unlikely you’ll make it unless you take the first step,” said Stahler, when offering advice to others who may also want to join the Golden Knights. “Have your aspirations and your dreams, and lock onto them, focus on them. It might seem like a lot to tackle, but try to accomplish one small thing every day and you’ll get a little closer to your goal. If you’re able to do that, it’s hard to imagine what you’ll be able to achieve in your lifetime.”

Veterans find new passion, purpose in beekeeping

BY KARI WILLIAMS

Dr. Adam Ingrao was medically discharged as a private first class from the Army after a stateside training accident tore ligaments in his right ankle. He used his GI Bill to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a beekeeping class his first semester changed everything.

“From that moment on, my entire life has been dedicated to honeybees,” said Ingrao, founder of Heroes to Hives, a veteranoriented program offered through the Michigan State University Extension.

That course was the first time since leaving the military that Ingrao says he felt like he was still serving his country — just this time through protecting food security. It also was therapeutic.

After being sent home from the Army, he watched as his battle buddies, some of whom never returned, were deployed.

“[I was] constantly dealing with guilt of not being there for them,” Ingrao said. “And a lot of veterans struggle with that, reliving the past.”

Ingrao and his wife moved to Michigan in 2013 after Michigan State University recruited him to complete his doctorate. They immediately began buying bees to build their own beekeeping operation, which became Bee Wise Farms

He initially ran Heroes to Hives through the farm, paying out-

of-pocket to have five veterans spend a season beekeeping on the farm. He held lectures in his living room and his woodshop became a lab.

As he looked for ways to expand, Ingrao reached out to MSU. In its first year partnered with the university, Heroes to Hives had 15 students in the nine-month program.

“Now the program is the largest agriculture training program for veterans in the world,” Ingrao said. “Over 5,000 people were in the program this year.”

Marine veteran Nick Kaminski came to Heroes to Hives a few years after leaving the service.

“Everybody’s experience of war is different, and everybody’s experience of recovery is different,” Kaminski said. “Speaking from my own personal journey, I would have to say that working with bees has been healing in the sense that you have to nurture your bees, you have to take care of them.”

Kaminski, who served from 2003 to 2014 with three overseas deployments (Iraq from

Dr. Adam Ingrao teaching at a Heroes to Hives workshop.

PHOTO BY LACEY INGRAO

Kaminski holding a frame of grafted queen cells to make new queen bees.

2005-2006 and 2007-2008; Afghanistan in 2011), opened Hickory Tree Farm Apiaries in 2014 at his childhood home in Michigan.

“We didn’t know how big of a role the honeybees were going to play in that, but it was something we wanted to have on our [farm],” he said.

About three years into his beekeeping journey, Kaminski participated in Heroes to Hives. While he said he had been “pretty proficient” up to that point, he was lacking in some skills.

“It gave me a very solid knowledge base in how to scientifically approach beekeeping and how to be successful,” Kaminski said.

Additionally, Ingrao says, anecdotal evidence shows that “inherent healing” occurs through working with bees, but there are

no metrics at this point.

Beekeeping has given Kaminski a sense of purpose — something he didn’t have after leaving the service.

“One of the most important jobs that we have right now as a country moving forward is our food security and our ecological security,” Kaminski said. “What I have seen myself evolve into is looking for a purpose and looking for direction and in many ways working with bees has given me a great deal of purpose.”

Similarly, the work has been “transformative” in helping Ingrao accept being a disabled veteran.

“I don’t go talk to counselors. My bees are my counselors,” Ingrao said.

About 20% of veterans who have been through the program have started a business, while about

half either incorporate beehives into existing farm operations or have a couple beehives in their backyard to use as a “therapeutic mechanism.”

In 2019, Heroes to Hives expanded from MSU to include partnerships with the University of Missouri Extension, University of Central Missouri, University Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Minnesota.

A pilot program with a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post also started in 2020, and there are plans to bring on more posts, according to Ingrao.

Those interested in participating in Heroes to Hives can complete an interest form at www.canr. msu.edu/veterans/VeteransProgramming/Heroes-toHives/index. Registration begins Nov. 1.

BEEKEEPING AND FARMING PROGRAMS

Several beekeeping and farming programs for veterans have been established throughout the country. Here are some of those programs:

Bees 4 Vets (Nevada): https://bees4vets.org/

Bee Veterans (Minnesota): https://beelab.umn.edu/beesquad/outreach-programs/ bee-veterans

Farmers Assisting Returning Veterans (Texas): https://www.farmingveterans. org/

Farmer Veteran Coalition (California): http://www. farmvetco.org/

Freedom Farm for Vets (Illinois): https:// freedomfarmforvets.org/

Growing Veterans (Washington): https:// growingveterans.org/

Servicemember

Agricultural Vocation Education Farm (Kansas): https://www.thesavefarm.org/ index.cfm

Urban Ark Conservation (Pennsylvania): https://www. urbanarkconservation.org/

Veterans Healing Farm (North Carolina): http:// veteranshealingfarm.org/

VetRest (Oregon): https:// www.vetrest.org/organicfarming.html

Veterans & Heroes to Agriculture (West Virginia): https://agriculture.wv.gov/agbusiness/veterans-and-heroesto-agriculture/

Hives for Heroes (Texas): https://www.hivesforheroes. com/

Marine Corps veteran and Heroes to Hives alumni Nick Kaminski demonstrates hive handling at the Michigan Honey Festival as part of Heroes to Hives community outreach.

PHOTO BY LACEY INGRAO

Air Force veteran and Heroes to Hives alumni Torrie Condet inspects a frame of honey bees during a Heroes to Hives workshop.

PHOTO BY SARAH SCOTT

Newly-announced AUSA director of family readiness all in to serve Army families

BY JESSICA MANFRE

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) recently welcomed Holly Dailey as its new director of family readiness, a position that will see her working on top priority issues like employment, childcare, and health and wellness.

“I’m truly honored that I was selected for this position,” she said. “It’s given me the opportunity to be a part of the life I love and that’s with the Army and our soldiers’ families.”

Dailey’s husband, the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, is AUSA’s vice president of NCO and Soldier Programs. During Sgt. Maj. Dailey’s 30 year-career with the Army, Holly often led family readiness groups at many of their duty stations. She was also deeply

embedded in the communities they lived in, volunteering her time for various organizations.

Holly was quick to applaud the efforts of Patty Barron, who held the role from 2012 until 2021. Barron left AUSA for a position at the Department of Defense, where she works in military community and family policy.

“They [AUSA] already built such a great foundation so for me it’s pivoting to the times and meeting the needs of our families and going from there,” Holly explained. “It’s my hope to be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Army family … Every morning when I wake up, I think, ‘I hope I honorably represent our families in the right way.’”

As AUSA prepares to continue serving soldiers and their families,

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno congratulates Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Dailey’s wife of more than 20 years and his hometown sweetheart, Holly, looks on.

PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. CHUCK BURDEN

From left: Debbie Allyn, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, Holly Dailey, and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Daniel B. Allyn pose for a photo at the USO 35th Annual Awards Dinner.

PHOTO BY CPL. SAMANTHA K. BRAUN

the main issues of employment, childcare, and health and wellness are in alignment with those found in the Army Quality of Life priorities and first lady Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces’ mission.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the already high military spouse unemployment rate to increase by almost 15%, according to data released by Hiring Our Heroes

“For years the military spouse has been trying to educate on the need for the right job,” Dailey said. “To have it be a mobile job or work from home or take it with us. We’ve just proven this to the whole world by going through the pandemic that it can happen.”

Her deep commitment to the advocacy efforts around military spouse employment is a conviction Holly says she wishes she could go back and educate her younger self on.

“I wish I would have gone in to my employer to help them be the first one on the map to helping military families,” she explained.

Being a soldier’s spouse definitely came with a lot of challenges, she admits, but there were important things she learned along the way.

“Being independent. For me, my husband was gone all the time like many other military families,” she shared. “What I learned the most was definitely independence but also what the Army family is all about. I really fell in love.”

It was the tight-knit community and consistent support Holly found to be vital for their family.

“It’s all about human respect and helping each other no matter where you are in life,” she added.

Retirement from the Army is going well for Holly and her husband so far. She shares how she’s thrilled she no longer has to wash or iron uniforms ever again. Though they may have left active-duty military life, both are now pretty busy working for AUSA. But even with their work, Holly said her husband has been all in on what she referred to as the “honey do list.”

Despite the elevated position of leadership her husband held, Holly adds they weren’t much different than any other military families. As for their lives after Army retirement, she says they really enjoy doing home projects and family nights with him cooking his famous smoked pizza. She also deems her husband as “very thrifty.”

“He can make anything,” she said. “He makes our furniture, fixes our cars, and built the addition to our house … he even used to sew on things for my military gowns.”

He also built her what he calls a “she shed,” where she can work and craft in her own private space, designed just for her.

As for Holly, she reveals that she is a hot tea fanatic, with red rose being her favorite. As her husband deployed and traveled, she says he always brought her different teas from around the world.

“If I have a cup of tea and no matter how crazy the world is — that’s how I reground myself,” she said.

Looking back on her life as a soldier’s wife and now her new future, Holly said she’s grateful. As she digs into her role with AUSA her goal is to continually make sure the stories of Army families are not only told but that they lead to action.

MILITARY WOMEN USE SKILLS TO EXCEL IN

CYBERSECURITY

BY CRYSTAL KUPPER

A global community of women working in cybersecurity believes their military counterparts are potential perfect fits for the burgeoning industry.

“The current state of cybersecurity needs improvement, and a team of individuals with different personalities and backgrounds can influence positive change,” said retired Air Force Master Sgt. Latoyia Overton. “You do not have to fit a certain mold or be ‘geeky’ in order to add value to the cybersecurity field.”

Cybersecurity — the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks — as a market was worth $167.13 billion in 2020, according to Grand View Research reports. It’s expected to expand even further this year. Yet only 20 to 24% of cybersecurity workers, studies show, are women. That’s a perfect chance, Overton says, for military women — either serving or out — to contribute their acquired skills to a steady field.

“Data analytics, team-building, and project management, among other skills, are all needed for success,” Overton said. “Those [outdated] stereotypes are being broken, as individuals with different personalities are finding cyber roles that fits their talents.”

Seriously cyber

Overton previously worked as the Cyber Systems Coordinator at Barksdale Air Force Base. Despite not having a technologyrelated degree or any previous technology experience, she successfully helped ensure network security for all Air Force Global Strike installations. Thanks to military educational opportunities, she eventually earned degrees in computer studies and cybersecurity. Today, Overton uses her Air Force cybersecurity experience in her role as Senior Cyber Defense Technologist II/ Security Control Assessor at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

Tech. Sgt. Alejandra Martinez reviews policies and procedures at her workstation at Al Udeid Air Base as part of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed in October.

PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. JOHN WILKES

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Latoyia Overton

Julia Davila

“I’ve worked several jobs in the Air Force ranging from administrative to technical as well as management,” said Overton. “My current role [at Raytheon] is not the same, but my experiences in the Air Force helped build my confidence and enhanced my abilities as a cyber professional.”

Former soldier Julia Davila also did not have technology degrees or certifications when she began her foray into cybersecurity in 2014. Yet today, she is the co-founder of ZibaSec, a cybersecurity firm that helps companies strengthen their networks through simulated cyberattacks.

“I get to run simulated attacks against the FBI every month, which is really badass,” she said. “It’s kind of surreal to be able to say that.”

Overcoming obstacles

Overton and Davila both volunteer as mentors for female veterans with Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), a worldwide alliance of female cyber professionals. Both have seen their fair share of gender discrimination in the workplace, they say.

Davila was giving an hour-long presentation to a group of men while consulting at a software company. Halfway through, a man entered and began engaging in small talk with each person there, ignoring Davila’s formal presentation happening directly in front of him.

“Who are you?” he finally asked. Davila explained that she was a consultant. “That’s cool,” he replied. “You should know that I don’t discriminate against vendors, but I do discriminate against women.”

The other workers apologized profusely. Still, Davila says, “It was very Mad Men-esque.”

Overton, meanwhile, was the only woman on a project at her first post-Air Force job. The lack of gender and ethnic diversity disheartened her, she says, as well as the resulting attitudes from her male peers. Still, the experience shaped her for the better.

“While it was difficult to collaborate with stakeholders who did not understand the

importance of cybersecurity, I maintained my professionalism, recorded and documented the challenges, and sought to influence change,” she said. “I am confident that as more women pursue cyber careers, these types of environments will become more inclusive.”

That’s the goal of WiCyS, an organization that offers multiple forms of assistance for women veterans interested in cybersecurity. Overton also volunteers regularly with cyber workshops for high schoolers in Maricopa County, Arizona. The increasing number of cyber opportunities for young people — especially females — excites her.

“I believe an increased presence of cybersecurity professionals is necessary to defend every organization against attacks and exploitation,” she said. “I believe there will be plenty of opportunities for women to contribute.”

Davila and Overton believe the time is right for an influx of female veterans in the industry.

“As women in a technology-related field, we must persevere, learn, and remain confident in our abilities,” Overton said. “I’m glad to be a woman in a cybersecurity career.”

Members gather at the annual Women in Cybersecurity conference in 2019.

Building pride

Coast Guard public affairs specialist tells Norfolk’s maritime story through art

BY EMMA COMERY

Walking through downtown Norfolk, Virginia, it’s easy to miss the Virginia Maritime Association. With sights like the Battleship Wisconsin and Chrysler Museum of Art by the waterfront, odds are most folks aren’t even looking for the VMA. But, thanks to the artistry of Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class Adam Stanton, the building now doubles as a dynamic street mural telling an important local story.

In 2020, the VMA put out a call for mural design submissions to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The organization began in 1920 as the Norfolk Maritime Exchange, and over the years it has grown to encompass the entire state and its diverse commerce, nearly all of which channels through the Port of Virginia, located in Norfolk.

“The VMA is based in community and connection,” shared VMA Marketing Coordinator Laura Bird. “We knew we wanted the mural done by a local artist.”

When Stanton submitted his design, the VMA was thrilled to discover that the talented artist was also a member of the Coast Guard.

“We work with the Coast Guard on a daily basis,” Bird said, so finding an artist with that connection to the maritime industry felt right.

That March, Stanton took three weeks of leave, climbed into a crane, and got to work sketching out and painting the four-story mural.

“I definitely maxed out that crane,” he chuckled. “I’m not traditionally trained at all, but art has been the only constant in my life.”

He started doodling in elementary school and never stopped.

“I’m a creator at heart,” he said. “It started with drawing and videography, then to canvasses, which turned into murals and then recently music production.”

In his spare time, he creates artwork for commission and has even done a few gallery exhibits. Once he discovers an interest in something, he has to master it.

“I just have that drive and that addictive personality to juggle everything at once,” he said.

That drive has empowered him to not only balance his military career and passion for art but find ways to combine them.

“My career and my passions all say to create,” he said.

Before joining the Coast Guard, Stanton was a high school graduate in a town of 900 staring at a short list of career options. One day he saw a commercial for the Coast Guard and decided to enlist.

“They save people,” he said, “and that was interesting to me. When I found out that people in Public Affairs are essentially journalists with video, photos, and writing,

it appealed to me because it is arguably one of the most creative things you can do in the Coast Guard. That became another outlet for me to plug into.”

Stanton leveraged his Coast Guard experience to design a vibrant mural rich in maritime storytelling, despite never having lived in Virginia before. More than a historic homage, the VMA wanted the mural to be, in Bird’s words, “about who Norfolk is now and where we want to go.”

Stanton delivered. His design featured expected components of the maritime industry like tugboats, ships, and cranes, but also included lesserconsidered visuals of commerce and transport like trains and agriculture. While Stanton was painting the mural, the Virginia coast saw significant changes in offshore wind, and he decided to tuck several turbines into the scene.

One of the mural’s most prominent images is of a woman wearing a welding helmet.

“When I started rendering and drafting a female,” Stanton remembered, “I came upon

some really good Black history and found that the first female welders were African Americans during WWII.”

Even until a few years ago, Bird shares, women in welding were rare, but Norfolk has recently seen change in that area, and highlighting that local industry landmark was important to both Stanton and the VMA.

As much as Stanton gave the VMA and Norfolk a visual landmark of local pride, the experience gave him something meaningful, too.

“Doing a mural like that puts a bookmark in that chapter of our lives,” he said.

He and his wife purchased their first home in Norfolk, and they made memories there. Today, Stanton is stationed in San Diego, but he and Norfolk have left their mark on each other.

“Sometimes in the world murals don’t always last forever,” he acknowledged. “They might cover it up one day, but I’ll always know it was there, and that organic rebirth is okay with me.”

LATEST NICHOLAS SPARKS RELEASE

EXPLORES TEEN ROMANCE, MILITARY FAMILIES

BY MELISSA STEWART

Nicholas Sparks wants people to pick up his latest novel, “The Wish,” and know a little about what to expect before reading a word.

“Number one, there’s going to be a love story,” said the well-known author about his successful storytelling formula. “Number two, it’s going to be set in a small town in North Carolina, as part of the story. And then number three, they’re not going to know what happens until they turn the final page.”

When all of your books — “The Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember,” and 21 others — have been New York Times bestsellers, selling more than 105 million copies, it’s probably a good idea to appease your incredible following. However, Sparks notes that as long as his devout readers can trust in these things, he is able to explore, so the stories feel like something they have never read before.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAULO SALUD PHOTOGRAPHY

In “The Wish” Sparks explores teen love with impossible obstacles, decisions that haunt us for a lifetime, and the perfect way to live your final days. The story begins in New York City, where renowned photographer Maggie Dawes comes to terms with an end-of-life cancer diagnosis by recollecting one of the best times in her life — 1996 in the remote village of Ocracoke, North Carolina. At first she loathes the idea of being sent away by her parents to live with her aunt … until she meets Bryce Trickett, a handsome teen from a military family that was newly admitted to West Point.

Sparks says although he writes for a wide range of readers, recent feedback convinced him that it was time for another teen romance that fans of all ages could enjoy. He wrote the story from his home in New Bern, North Carolina, where he gets inspiration from the surrounding military community.

“To write stories about eastern North Carolina, the military, and its presence, and the people that you meet — or people that you bump into when you go and just walk around town — it’s as ubiquitous as warm and humid days in the summer, the flat country, and the slow-moving rivers,” said Sparks about the fact that his books typically contain military storylines or service member characters. “Those are the things that define eastern North Carolina, and if I was to write a novel in eastern North Carolina with a hedge fund guy, it doesn’t make much sense at all.”

Also, a long tradition of military service in his family — his brother, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and father-in-law — naturally comes through in his stories, Sparks says. Recently, the self-described “history buff” read “Morning Star, Midnight Sun” to learn more about the Battle of Guadalcanal and “Bloody Okinawa” to better understand a battle his father-in-law fought in.

Family ties also helped Sparks shape Maggie Dawes’ experience with cancer, a central storyline in “The Wish.” He explains how he lost his younger sister to the disease years ago and that she struggled with the gradual recognition that her life was ending.

OPERATION HEAL OUR PATRIOTS

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/

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Samaritan’s Purse®, Franklin Graham, President P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 | samaritanspurse.org

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THE WISH

by Nicholas Sparks (Grand

“Everyone you meet has a story, and until you really get to know that person you won’t find out whether it resonates with you,” he said.

And he leaves it at that — until you reach the final page.

Central Publishing, $28) is now

Soul in the bowl

SOUP AND STEW RECIPES FOR FALL

BY AMY POTTINGER

Nothing warms you up on a chilly fall day quite like a comforting soup or stew. Had a bad day? Soup. Need soothing that extends into the soul? Stew at your service.

So whether you’d prefer to stay close to home with some American classics like chili con carne or allow your palate to travel abroad (through your bowl, anyway) with some international favorites like ramen or pozole, here are a few recipes that are sure to lead to some very satisfying slurps.

CHILI CON CARNE

10 servings

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef

2 pounds chuck, cut into 1/2- to 1-inch cubes

2 yellow onions, finely chopped

4 jalapenos, de-seeded and finely chopped

2 heads garlic, finely chopped

4 roasted poblano peppers, charred skin and seeds removed, coarsely chopped

3 red bell peppers, seeds removed and coarsely chopped

1 stick salted butter

1 16-ounce beer (amber, brown, or IPA)

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

2 15.5-ounce cans pinto beans

1 15.5-ounce can red kidney beans

3 tablespoons salt (measure it out and sprinkle some in at each step of cooking)

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons ground coriander

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

Instructions:

Begin by melting butter in a large Dutch Oven that holds about 6 quarts. Add the chopped onions, chopped garlic, and chopped jalapenos. Add a bit of salt and continue to cook until the onions are translucent (about 10 minutes). Add the chopped red peppers and chopped roasted poblanos and cook for

another 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and chuck, salt, and continue to stir. Add the crushed tomatoes, beer, chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, and remaining salt. Cook the mixture together for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, on low heat so that the cubed beef can cook slowly in the broth. Add the drained beans. Mix everything

together, cooking for at least an additional 20-30 minutes on low heat. The longer the cubed chuck cooks, the more tender it will be. Additionally, it will continue to thicken as the heat reduces the water from the chili.

Garnish with sour cream, Fritos, grated cheese, or other toppings of choice.

MISO MUSHROOM RAMEN

4 servings

Ingredients:

32 ounces vegetable broth

1/4 cup soy

1/4 cup mirin

1/4 cup fish sauce

1 yellow onion

1 large piece ginger (about 4 inches)

1 shallot

4 garlic cloves

1 red chili

10 ounces shiitake mushrooms

2 soft boiled eggs, halved shredded carrots

green onion  cilantro

1/3 cup miso paste

2 baby bok choy

3 tablespoons chili oil

2 tablespoons sesame oil

ramen noodles of choice

salt

Instructions:

Slice the onions and shallots into medallions about 1/2- to 1-inch thick. Cut the ginger, red chili, and garlic in half, length-wise, so that they can lay flat. Add all of these ingredients to a cooking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and broil for 6-8 minutes or until they start to brown. On a stovetop, pour broth into a large pot. Add the previously broiled ingredients into the broth along with mushrooms and allow these ingredients to cook together. Add fish sauce, soy sauce, and mirin to the broth. Allow these ingredients to cook together for 20-30 minutes. Using a large slotted spoon, scoop everything out and transfer it to a bowl, leaving only the broth behind. Add the miso to the broth and stir until it is well incorporated. When the broth ingredients have cooled, pick out the shiitake mushrooms, setting them aside, and discard everything else.

In a large pan, begin heating the chili and sesame oil. Cut bok choy in half lengthwise and salt it to taste. Place it flat- (center cut) side down in the hot oiled pan and allow it to char for about 6-8 minutes. Flip the bok choy

and add mushrooms to the pan to add a quick caramelization to them as well. After 3-4 minutes remove from heat. While the bok choy is searing, cook noodles according to the serving size and instructions on the package, drain, and set aside.

You are now ready to put it all together. Divide the broth into 4 bowls. Follow with the noodles, halved bok choy, halved soft boiled eggs, mushrooms, shredded carrots, green onions, cilantro, and extra chilis if desired.

CHICKEN POZOLE ROJO

8 servings

Ingredients:

1 small whole chicken

1 yellow onion, skin removed and quartered

3 large carrots, cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces

3 celery stalks, cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces

8 dried guajillo peppers (toast in a pan for 3-5 minutes)

2 dried ancho peppers (toast in a pan for 3-5 minutes)

10-12 cloves/1 head of garlic, coarsely chopped

4 bay leaves

6-8 cups water

3-4 tablespoons salt

15.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon Mexican oregano

10 (or more) limes

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander

30-ounce can white hominy/pozole

Instructions:

In a large Dutch Oven, place the whole chicken, carrots, celery, onions, toasted peppers, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and water and give it a good stir, making sure everything is mostly submerged. Cover and place it into the oven at 325 degrees for 3 hours. Carefully remove the chicken. It should be so tender that it falls apart when removed. Remove the meat and shred it (discarding the skin and the bones) when it is cool enough for you to do so. Using a slotted spoon, scoop up all of the ingredients used to flavor the broth. Transfer the peppers (stems pulled), onions, and garlic into a blender. Discard the celery and the carrots. After the onions, garlic, and chilis have been transferred to the blender, also add your canned tomatoes, Mexican oregano, chili powder, cumin, and coriander. Blend until smooth. Add this mixture into broth and carefully return your Dutch Oven to the stovetop on low to medium heat. Add shredded chicken, drained hominy, and the juice of all of the limes into the broth. Cook together for 20-30 minutes so that all of the flavors are well incorporated.

Serve with more lime, shredded cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and radish.

TOP FUNDRAISING TRENDS DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

BY BARRETT BAKER

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world in early 2020, many nonprofits and fundraising organizations thought they would be in big trouble. And initially they were. People were losing their jobs. Individuals were staying home instead of participating in fundraising or volunteer efforts. Families were being very cautious with their money.

IN 2020

Some campaigns were so successful they actually surpassed projected goals. Therefore, digital fundraising will continue through 2021 and beyond, even though some organizers still favor the face-to-face engagement they previously enjoyed with donors. We can expect to see a hybrid version of digital and in-person events as conditions surrounding COVID-19 improve.

Another trend that has evolved, and will most likely continue, is sharing the impact contributions will have. With so many different organizations asking for support, donors need to be assured their donations will have value and make a difference. It doesn’t matter if fundraisers need money for research, to continue efforts to rescue and save animals, or to assist with mental health initiatives. Transparency is key and donors want to link dollars to a tangible imprint.

This year’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a great example. The theme invites donors to “Be the face of change” by getting involved. In addition to showcasing that you don’t need to be a political influencer, celebrity, or Nobel Prize winner to make a change in the world, they are also showing how specific contributions are supporting causes. As an example, someone supporting the SPCA might want to know that a $25 donation will help feed 10 cats for one month, a $50 donation will microchip an animal, etc.

“In the 2020 Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA), the federal community stepped up to show some love to their neighbors, nation, and world in a time of urgent need and give more than ever,” said Ann Van Houten, co-chair of the CFCNCA. “We adapted our campaign into a virtual effort overnight, finding ways to bring us all together and be the face of change. The CFCNCA saw over 10% increase in participation, raised millions more than in recent campaigns, and found ways to volunteer virtually, even from home — a testament to the spirit of public service and our generous community.”

grants totaling $7.2 million were awarded throughout the United States

The Trust supports

CRISIS INTERVENTION

CARE EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION

Support Our Veterans

The DAV Charitable Service Trust helps fulfill a focused and noble purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We support programs and initiatives that improve the quality of life for veterans, their caregivers and families.

LEARN MORE: cst.dav.org

Another important trend in improving fundraising efforts is to make recurring donations as easy as possible, specifically if a donor can use a one-time process through payroll deduction, a credit card, or bank account. Individual donations are greatly appreciated, but continued donations help a charity plan how to use funds throughout

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the year. It may also be easier for the donor to give $120 in 12 monthly increments of $10 each as opposed to a lump sum donation. Ideally, the increment will be small enough that the donor will hardly notice the difference and will continue to provide recurring payments over a longer time frame.

www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign/ to learn more about CFC.

‘SESAME STREET’ LAUNCHES NEW RESOURCES TO HELP

MILITARY FAMILIES ADDRESS RACISM

BY TIFFANY EVE LAWRENCE

A new workshop gives parents of military kids access to activities that teach young children about topics of race and discrimination.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street,” with the support of USAA, launched a series of racial justice resources for military families to help them start important conversations about race with their children, according to a press release. The tools give parents ways to be sensitive and age appropriate in their discussions about topics that are often difficult to approach.

The “Coming Together” initiative started after the protests and racial tension of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. This resulted in a global focus on the Black experience in America.

“It really did spark an urgency that we had to address this topic and historical trauma,” Rocia Galarza, VP of Educational Content and US Social Impact at Sesame Workshop, told Military Families.

The organization sought out therapists, journalists, and experts who are active within the military community to provide insight and education for this project.

“We started to gather actual advisors for it but we had to figure out a way to do it faster. We realized that this process needed to be split up because things were really difficult for so

many families,” Galarza said. In the past Sesame has tackled topics of representation, diversity, and some of the challenges of minority families. But these events warranted a more upfront and bold approach.

“This was a wake up call for us to see that we needed to be more explicit about the thought that we knew that racism was wrong,” she added.

And their goal is now to give parents tools to help teach children how to speak out against racist ideas and behaviors, which they call being an upstander.

“It’s the term we’re using which stands for helping out myself and others when we’re confronted with these situations.”

But because of the military lifestyle, Sesame found military families “needed something very specific because their experiences are specific,” said Galarza.

With the help of advisors, Sesame compiled comprehensive and engaging material that offers step-by-step instructions for parents. Each video and article highlights how to have a dialogue with children about how racism affects the world, starting with

the people around them.

“We also have an interactive [community] which gives us the opportunity of giving people a start of the conversation.”

Research revealed that even though parents want to discuss racism with their children, they don’t know where to begin. The tool prompts children to create a self-portrait by describing how they look and what they like to do, which leads to understanding and appreciating not only who they are, but their differences.

“In addition, of course we have printables that support the same messages.”

And, this isn’t new. Sesame has always encouraged its viewers to embrace differences in the community. However, the approach of these resources, more specifically the articles, don’t skirt around racism. And although they speak to the impact on minority families, because of the insidious injustice, there is a hyper focus on Black families.

Other highlights include —

• A “Great Things” music video starring Elmo, Rosita, and Wes, highlighting strategies military families use to take care of themselves and their loved ones when dealing with “big feelings” — like the kind that arise after experiencing bias and unfairness.

• Articles for adults that further explain why it’s so important to proactively start these conversations, and how to help children make inclusive and empathetic choices.

• Professional development materials to help educators, social workers, and other providers integrate the resources into their work with military families.

Galarza says we need to deal with what’s in front of us, “and that’s helping families see that there are some experiences that children are having that are difficult, that they need tools to handle. And then, we have to start exploring our own identities. This initiative will have a big part in continuing the tradition of celebrating who we are.”

EXPLORING ARIZONA

WITH MILITARY DISCOUNTS

BY HEATHER WALSH

The biggest attraction in America is in Arizona. That’s right, you guessed it – the Grand Canyon. It is a beauty and worth the visit if you are local or traveling to the area.

The annual pass to the National Parks, The America the Beautiful pass, is free to current U.S. military members and their dependents. This annual pass allows exploration of all the U.S. National Parks, the Grand Canyon included. The South Rim is typically open year-round, but the North Rim closes due to inclement weather in the winter, so make sure to check the updates in regard to park entrance closures before visiting. The South and North Rim campgrounds are open seasonally; make reservations in advance.

Want to stay at the Grand Canyon lodging? Check out packages through the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel and save 15% on train, hotel, and RV packages.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offers a $4 discount to military and retired members.

On Veterans Day, the Arizona State parks offer fee-free day to all veterans and active-duty military.

The Arizona Science Center offers free admission as part of the Blue Star Museums program during Armed Forces Day through Labor Day and $2 off admission other times throughout the year with valid ID.

Arizona’s NHL team, the Coyotes, offers active and veteran military personnel the ability to purchase up to two select upper-level tickets for $15 each or two lower-level tickets for $30 each for all Sunday through Thursday games with some exceptions. There are also tickets provided on behalf of the Arizona Coyotes Foundation through the application or nomination .

The Phoenix Suns, in partnership with GovX, offers discounted tickets through verification on GovX.

Arizona’s Major League Baseball Team, the Diamondbacks, offers discounted tickets through verification on GovX.

The Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale offers $2 off tickets for the military with ID.

The Crayola Experience in Chandler, Arizona, offers $2 off admission to military members with a valid ID and free admission on “True Blue days,” offered on the weekends of the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, and Memorial Day.

Medieval Times in Scottsdale offers discounted tickets through ID.me or Royalty upgrade with tickets from on-base ticket offices.

The OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers a military discount on tickets at the ticket window.

SeaLife Arizona in Tempe, Arizona, offers a $10 walk-up General Admission with military ID and a combination ticket of SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Center for $25.

If you want to head to SixFlags Phoenix, check your local military base ticket office for discounted tickets.

Admission to the Arizona State Fair has historically been complimentary to active-duty military and their families on Armed Forces Day.

Contact or check all websites before visiting as there could be changes due to COVID-19, and remain updated on any travel limitations. Despite a pandemic, consider planning a “bucket list” of sorts for exploration when able.

Grand Canyon photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park.

RAPID

FIRE

Q&A WITH SPACE FORCE RECRUITER LT. COL. TRISH KNIGHT

BY MELISSA M. STEWART

The first group of future U.S. Space Force recruiters recently attended a five-day training course at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to learn the newest service branch’s mission, history, and culture. We spoke with Lt Col. Trish Knight, commander of the 347th Recruiting Squadron, about what it takes to be a guardian.

How did the training go?

The level of excitement and enthusiasm is through the roof. They had the ability to see and talk to guardians who do this every day, and that was absolutely invaluable to make sure they get the right fit for the future of Space Force.

What are the Space Force career fields?

There are three — space systems operations, intelligence, and cyber.

You are selecting less than 500 enlisted guardians next year. What makes Space Force so competitive?

One is, we are an incredibly small service. In addition to that there are additional tests [Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery] and qualifications that have to be met in order to be assessed into the Space Force. Because of the nature of the missions there’s also a higher security clearance requirement.

What are some personal characteristics and qualities you look for?

A passion for STEM is going to set applicants apart.

Do you feel encouraged by the applicants thus far?

Absolutely. There is an intellectual curiosity that has been sparked when our applicants see individuals in Space Force uniforms or have a conversation with a recruiter about Space Force … just that level of, ‘I could be a part of something huge for the future, something that is imperative to the national security of the United States.’

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What is the main reason you would tell someone to be a guardian?

You could have the opportunity to be a part of launches for military satellites, you could be responsible for on-orbit operations for military satellites or detecting missile launches from adversary countries. You could be operating the satellite responsible for all global positioning systems in the world. Banks are run off the positioning from those U.S. Space Force military satellite systems. The global reach of the careers that you can have as a guardian are unlike anything.

MADE FOR GETTING IT RIGHT

When it comes to the important stuff in life, you’re not one to take shortcuts or settle for less than the best. And you know one size doesn’t always fit all, especially when it comes to home and auto insurance.

Roger that. We’ll take the time to help you get the coverage you need and the discounts you deserve, backed by award-winning service.