Family Matters Volume 6, Issue 2, February 2015
In this issue: Preparing for taxes The Romantic Getaway Black History Tribute She Found Comfort in His Voice
Family Matters February 2015
A Message from the director Can you believe it? We’re in February already!
Diane Coffill State Family Programs Director diane.l.coffill.civ@mail.mil (984) 664-6324 MSG Ramona Robertson State Family Programs Specialist ramona.k.robertson.mil@mail.mil (984) 664-7005 SSG Tammy Fowler State Family Programs Assistant tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil (984) 664-6876 Lana Greer State FAC Coordinator lana.m.greer.ctr@mail.mil (800) 621-4136 ext 11667 Alice Dean Lead Child and Youth Coordinator alice.c.dean.ctr@mail.mil (800)621-4136 ext 12548 Jason Pleasant Senior FRSA matthew.j.pleasant.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-7017 Terry Henderson Airman & Family Readiness Program Manager terry.henderson@ang.af.mil (704) 398-4949 About Family Matters Family Matters was created to provide Service Members and Families the most up to date information and services available. If you would like to contribute to future issues or if you have suggestions and/or comments, please contact SSG Tammy Fowler at tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil.
The kids are finally back in school after the Holidays and if we’re lucky, we won’t have the “Blizzard of the Century” this month. You’ll notice this month the theme is “Valentine’s Day” AND taxes! Quite a combination, don’t you think? As you read Family Matters, please pay close attention to who your Family Programs staff members are this month, Sarah Strickland and Norman Dean. They both each have unique specialties and are VERY valuable to our program. Tax time can be very stressful, so whether you’re married, single, have children or not, file the 1040EZ or itemize, there’s help for you. Both the NCNG Legal Assistance Office and Military OneSource offer free individual tax prep. There are some changes in what you’ll need when get them done this year, so take a look at the list before you go, so you’ll have everything you need to get them done. So, if you haven't’ done your taxes yet, you might want to check out these resources. Since February is the “Love” month, you’ll see information about the Chaplain’s StrongBonds program, The Romantic Getaway and our “shared” Valentine’s messages. Remember, for some that “romantic getaway” may just be getting a full night’s sleep, especially if you have a new baby or small child. So Grandma’s night be a good place to start or you could do a “child swap” with a friend or family member (you take their kids 1 night/they take yours another). It doesn’t always have to be an “out of town” trip. You’ll also see that February is Black History Month. So, take some time and see what this REALLY means. You might be surprised by the things you didn’t know, you didn’t know! Our Child & Youth section is ALWAYS busy. They are creating great activities for our children across the state who attend Yellow Ribbon events. They keep up with all of the Camps that are available for our NCNG children, and we’re even working on curriculum for our own Camps. Also, don’t forget about our Teen Councils and our great partnership with OMK (North Carolina Operation Military Kids program). If you don't know about our Child and Youth Program and you have children, they are truly missing out on some wonderful opportunities. I hope you enjoy this issue (and all the pictures). Stay warm and have a wonderful month. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Diane Coffill State Family Programs Director
References in this newsletter to specific commercial products, processes, services or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name does not constitute endorsement, recommendation or favoring by NCNG Family Programs. 2
Contents
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Meet Your family Programs staff
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Ncng free tax prep and filing
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Prepare for taxes now
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The romantic getaway
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Happy valentine’s day
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Black history
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Message from child & youth
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She found comfort in his voice
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Child & youth yellow ribbon event
On the Cover: Emma Shook, daughter of SFC Robert Shook of HHC 130th MEB
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Meet Your Family Programs Staff Sarah Strickland Family Readiness Support Assistant 30th ABCT Clinton, NC Sarah began working with Family Programs in 2008. She is currently one of the Family Readiness Support Assistants for the 30th ABCT. Sarah’s duties include providing guidance, assistance, day-to-day support and continuity for the Commander’s Family Readiness Program. as well as, providing training, information and support to units within the 30th ABCT and their FRG Leaders. Sarah is a 2006 graduate from Meredith College. She is a Mom to two wonderful kids, three dogs and a turtle. She is the choir director for her church and loves all things Disney. One of Sarah’s favorite pastimes is cooking. Her specialty is southern style dishes or anything that require cooking with bacon grease and butter.
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Meet Your Family Programs Staff Continued... Norman Dean Family Readiness Support Assistant 60th Troop Command Raleigh, NC Norm began working with Family Programs right after his retirement from the NCNG as a volunteer, mostly with the Child & Youth Program. In 2012, Norm was hired on as the FRSA for the 60th Troop Command. Norm joined the NCNG in 1962 and was a member of the 2nd BN 252d Armor. He served one tour in Vietnam with both the 5th and 7th Special Forces Groups. He retired from the NCNG (HHC 1st BN 252d Armor) in 2004, having served a total of over forty-one years. Norm is married to Alice Dean and they live in Oxford, NC. They have two daughters, five grandchildren and a cat named Gracie, who Norm found at Camp Butner during an Operation Kids on Guard Weekend Camp. He is a BIG history buff and when he has spare time, he likes to do Civil War re-enacting and metal detecting. He is a member of the English Long Bow Society and participates in Medieval/Tudor English Long Bow matches.
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The North Carolina National Guard Office of the Staff Judge Advocate Legal Assistance Office Tax Center offers free individual tax preparation and filing of federal and state tax returns. The tax center is a certified Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and provides professional face to face tax preparation services. The Tax Center provides hassle free individualized tax preparation services for Servicemembers and their families. Our preparers are specially trained in handling the unique tax benefits available to our Servicemembers. All current National Guardsmen, Reservists, Active Duty, Retirees, and their immediate families are eligible. Taxpayers who have utilized this free service have saved over $45,000 in tax preparation fees and provided refunds of over $900,000 dollars. The Tax Center is accepting appointments Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning 30 January through April 13th. For more information on this great opportunity please contact the Legal Assistance office at 984-664-6220 or check out the Legal Assistance Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NCARNGLA.
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It’s tax season
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NCNG Legal Assistance Office Offers Free Tax Preparation and Filing
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Prepare For Taxes NOW To Save Stress Later Ben Franklin said, “Nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” Why can’t it be, “Nothing can be said to be certain except vacations and chocolate?” Oh well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? Preparing for tax time is something you can do little by little, throughout the year so you’re not completely frazzled by April 15. The easiest time to get ready for tax time is way before it arrives. Here are some tips to help you prepare well before tax day is here.
Start now to collect everything you’ll need. Keep everything tax related — such as your W-2 forms, medical and dental expenses, moving expenses, mortgage interest payments, child care costs and more — in a safe, convenient place. The more organized you are now, the less stressful April will be.
off as you collect them so you will know what you have left to gather and won’t miss anything.
You don’t have to be a tax expert. There are tax professionals available to you. Be sure take advantage of the no-cost tax preparation and filing services available to you and your family through Military OneSource.
Remember that service members may qualify for special tax benefits, including a filing extension and military pay exclusions.
Tax time doesn’t have to be difficult. Getting organized can help you have the easiest tax-filing experience yet. By the way, you’re welcome.
Everything will be easier if you create a system that works for you. Create a checklist and put it on the For more information, visit front of a file folder. Check them www.militaryonesource.mil 8
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The Romantic Getaway: Reconnecting with Your Partner After years of focusing on careers, children and other priorities, many partners feel mixed emotions when faced with an opportunity to get away together. Yet research shows how important ongoing intimacy (caring, closeness, sexual relationship and emotional nurturance) is to a relationship. Periodic romantic getaways are one way to help you and your partner stay connected.
When you feel like talking, strive for conversation that provides insight into each other's feelings and emotions. Here are some ideas:
Time for each other
What is getting away together really about? Sure, it is to have fun, relax and take a well-needed break from routines. But more importantly, it is time to reconnect with your partner. Avoid overloading your trip itinerary with activities. Leave plenty of unstructured time to be alone together. Enjoying each other's company without expectations will make it easier for you to renew intimacy and communication.
What is your favorite memory about our relationship? What initially attracted you to me? What attracts you now? If you could take a year off and do anything you want, what would you do? If you could plan a month long vacation for us (money is no object), where would we go and what would we do? If you could have just one wish granted, what would it be? How has your definition of love changed over time and with our relationship? How do I help you cope with struggles and challenges in your life?
When your budget is limited
Do not wait until you can afford your dream vacation to take a romantic getaway. You really do not even need to leave town. Stay If possible, plan some private time for yourself. Doing something you enjoy, such as overnight at a local bed and breakfast or hotel and then explore where you live as if you are reading a book, going for a jog or taking a tourists. Although ideally you want to remove bubble bath, is essential to your personal yourself from your day-to-day environment, well-being and can enhance your ability to you can even "get away" in your own home. love and be loved. Arrange for your children to spend the night Reconnecting through communication elsewhere. Let the answering machine record all phone messages. With a little imagination Some couples have no problem opening up to and creativity, you and your partner can each other once they are removed from the create the fantasy vacation of your dreams. hectic pace and constant demands of daily life. Others need to ease into communication. By Christine P. Martin © 2000 Lifescape Try smiling at each other, mirroring each Source: How to Stay Lovers While Raising Your Children by Anne other's body position and frequently touching Mayer. Price Stern Sloan, 1990; Renew Your Marriage at Midlife: A Guide to Growing Together in Love by Steve Brody, PhD and Cathy each other in a nonsexual way to increase Brody, MS. Perigree, 1999; Communication Miracles for Couples by feelings of intimacy. Jonathan Robinson. Conari Press, 1997 Time for yourself
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
To: Brandon Happy Valentine's Day sweetheart. We love you to the moon and back and we can't wait for you to be back home with us! We are so proud of you for what you are doing for our country and we appreciate everything you do for us as a family! XoXo Love, your wife, Nicole, our daughter, Maci, and our soon to be son, Odin
To: Nate Happy Valentine’s Day! Love, Erica (SPC Erica Henshey)
(SPC Brandon Brown)
To Kashta I’ve loved you from the moment I first parked beside your car. I love you more and more everyday. Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Candita
(SFC Robert Shook)
(SSG Candita Brandon)
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From: MAJ Neely Mahoney To: Kyle Happy Valentine’s Day, Baby , and Happy Anniversary. Looking forward to many, many more! Love you lots! Joann (SGT Kyle Snyder) (RET)
To Dave:
To: Dean
Still my Valentine after all these years!
Thank you for making wonderful memories!
Love,
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Diane
Love ya,
(MSG David Coffill) (RET)
Kristi (SFC Dean Wilson)
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
Dear Mommy,
To: MAJ Sarah Miller
To Willie Happy Valentine’s Day! Love, Ramona (MSG Ramona Robertson)
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FAMOUS BLACK MILITARY HEROES Crispus Attucks
Lemuel Haynes
Major Martin Robinson Delany
In 1770, Crispus Attucks became the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre.
Served as the first black Minuteman in the American Revolutionary War fighting, at the April 1775 Battle of Lexington. He was an indentured servant who enlisted in the war after earning his freedom.
He was the first African-American field officer in U.S. Army. He led the 52nd U.S. Colored Troops Regiment and became the first line officer in U.S. Army history.
Major Harriet M. Waddy
She was one of the two highest-ranking African-American officers in the Women’s Army Corps in WWII.
PFC Milton Olive III
Posthumously awarded a Medal of Honor for saving the lives of four other U.S. Army Soldiers during a battle in the Vietnam War. PFC Olive used his body to cover a grenade to save his fellow Soldiers.
General Colin Powell
Served over 35 years in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of four-star General and played a key role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He became the first African-American Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as the first African-American Secretary of State.
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A Message from the Child and Youth Team
Child and Youth
Hard to believe it is already February and many are thinking about Valentine’s Day. Did you know in February there are a couple of other unique holidays? February 4th is “Thank a Mailman Day” and not only should we thank our mailmen/ mailwomen but let’s keep them in business by writing more personal letters and cards. With the newest round of our service members getting ready to deploy and some already overseas, why not go back to the old fashion hand written cards, letters and pictures from our kids and families. Although email, text and other forms of modern technology are great, they can’t convey the same emotion as those handwritten words and pictures from home do. So remember on February 4th to thank your Mail Person and place a special card/letter in the mail to someone special to let them know you are thinking about them. Another unique day is “Random Acts of Kindness Day” on February 17th. Kindness is a behavior we would all like to see mimicked in our children since it promotes compassion and generosity. Use this day as a spring board to get your kids involved with volunteering. You can work with an organization; help a neighbor or another child in school. No matter how large or small a project is, the benefits to everyone involved are immeasurable. So on February 17th do something unexpected for someone else. We always love to tell stories on what are youth are doing, so please send us an email or post on our NCNG Family Programs Facebook.
deployment the child is in. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends with other children going through the same thing and express the challenges (positive and negative) that deployment brings on. Are you expecting a new addition to the family? Please let your Family Assistance Center Specialist know so we can send you a New Parent Packet full of useful resources. If you having issues with being certified or re-certified with Army Fee Assistance, please call/email Alice so she can help you. We don’t want to be a pest but don’t forget that FAFSA Day is February 28th. Great way to help students complete their free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Go to https://cfnc.org to find a location near you. If you are like us, we are already thinking of warmer weather. Don’t forget that now is a great time to start planning for summer camp. Camp Corral registration opened January 12th so don’t forget to register at www.militaryfamily.org so you will get the announcement (usually in March) of Operation Purple Camps in NC. Don’t forget to register on JSS, www.jointservicessupport.org so you will get email announcements of the many opportunities offered our military children. Please remember your Child & Youth Team is ready to help you at any time!
Alice Dean
If you are one of our families that will be facing an upcoming deployment or return from Lead Child and Youth Coordinator deployment, please remember that the Child & Youth Program provides programming at Yellow Ribbon events for our youth ages 5 -18. This is not childcare but age specific programming that deals with the cycle of
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She Found Comfort in His Voice As part of a community service project, NCNG Charlotte Teen Council Member provides recordable storybooks to deploying NCNG Soldiers so that while away, they may stay connected to their children through reading. My name is Autumn Ulrich and my Dad, Sgt. Vernard “Roy” Ulrich III is in the Det-1 Co B 638th ASB in the NC National Guard. I am part of a Girl Scout Troop in my hometown and we are required to do a community service project called a Silver Award. When I was deciding on a project for my Girl Scout Silver Award I drew upon my past experiences of my Dad being deployed once with the 638th to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2009 until 2010. I decided on a way to help other Service Members and children stay connected. I remembered how important it was to me while he was deployed to hear his voice, especially during times when Skype wasn’t available and he could not call home. My dad read books to me on a tape recorder that I listened to over and over, and they were a great comfort to me. The idea came to me to get recordable books that service members could read to their children and somehow work with the FRG Leader to get the books to their children after they left for deployment. I
Alice Dean Lead Child and Youth Coordinator 1-800-621-4136 ext 12548 alice.c.dean.ctr@mail.mil
Child and Youth Team
thought, “What a nice surprise to receive in the mail after your parent is gone.” After contacting several organizations I was able to secure some recordable books from Mrs. Darlette McCormick, an FRSA with NCNG Family Programs. I worked with the 638th CSBN on a drill day in the fall to have Service Members record books for their children. I also took photos of the guys with their books to print and include in the packages for the kids. These Soldiers are set to deploy in the spring of 2015. I have collected authorizations from the families and secured postage through the USO to mail the recorded books to the children after the unit deploys. As a surprise for the Soldiers I am also planning to send them some Girl Scout cookies as a surprise overseas. I hope that this simple idea of reading a book brings great comfort to the children that receive them, just as the stories from my Dad gave me comfort and courage every day he was gone. ~Autumn Ulrich
Kristi Wagner Child and Youth Coordinator 1-800-621-4136 ext 14761 kristi.l.wagner.ctr@mail.mil
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Be s ure to c hec thes k ou e aw t even esom ts o e f f e red Nor th C by aro lina Ope rati on Mil itar yK ids! (OM K)
“Much Ado� Saturday, 21 February
Teen Advance 20-22 March A Day of Musical Wonder Saturday, 7 March 22
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Family Assistance Centers
Statewide Support
Family Assistance Centers are located across the State to provide assistance to ALL Military Service Members and their Families. If you know of a Service Member or Military family that has a question or concern, please share our contact numbers, web site, newsletter and Facebook Link. We are here to help.
NCNG Service Members and Families’ First Line of Defense Call 1-855-322-3848
East Flat Rock Unit Family Contact Center 2025 Spartanburg Hwy, 28726/(800) 621-4136 Rebekah Torres, Email: rebekah.s.torres.ctr@mail.mil, Ext 10565
Military OneSource Here to help you with just about any need, by phone or online. The service is completely private and confidential, with few exceptions.
Charlotte Unit Family Contact Center 4240 West Blvd., 28208/(800) 621-4136 Carry Bandy, email: carry.s.bandy.ctr@mail.mil Ext 14573 Anthony Moore, Email: TBA, Ext 14547 Greensboro State Family Assistance Center 110 Franklin Blvd. 27401/(800) 621-4136 Lynn Stenson, Email: deborah.t.stenson2.ctr@mail.mil Ext 15649
www.militaryonesource.com (800) 342-9647
Greenville State Family Assistance Center 1401 N. Memorial Dr. 27834/(800) 621-4136 Kyle Snyder, Email: kyle.j.snyder.ctr@mail.mil, Ext 11150 Lenoir State Family Assistance Center 1535 Beecher Anderson Rd. 28645/(800) 621-4136 Frances Johnson, Email: frances.r.johnson28.ctr@mail.mil Ext 11242 Raleigh Unit Family Contact Center 4105 Reedy Creek Rd. 27607/(800) 621-4136 Lisa Faison, Email: lisa.m.faison.ctr@mail.mil, Ext 47100 Mark Woolbright, Email: mark.l.woolbright.ctr@mail.mil, Ext 47102 JFHQ Unit Family Contact Center 1636 Gold Star Dr. 27607/(800) 621-4136 Wendi Bell, Email: wendi.h.bell.ctr@mail.mil, Ext 46078
Family Readiness Support Assistants (800) 621-4136 Plus Extension Raleigh Jason Pleasant matthew.j.pleasant.ctr@mail.mil Ext 47017 Senior FRSA Charlotte Nikkie Newsome genesia.k.newsome.ctr@mail.mil Ext 14548
Smithfield Unit Family Contact Center 406 Hospital Rd. 27577/(800) 621-4136 Abby Millsap, Email: abigail.e.millsap.ctr@mail.mil Ext 12784
Clinton Sarah Strickland sarah.r.strickland.ctr@mail.mil Ext 14735
Southern Pines Unit Family Contact Center 500 Morganton Rd. 28387/(800) 621-4136 Earlene Capps, Email: earlene.b.capps.ctr@mail.mil Wilmington Unit Family Contact Center 2412 Infantry Rd. 28405/(800) 621-4136 Jim Marley, Email: james.e.marley.ctr@mail.mil Ext. 16918 Winston-Salem Unit Family Contact Center 2000 Silas Creek Pkwy. 27103/(800) 621-4136 Sandy Harrison, Email: sandra.b.harrison2.ctr@mail.mil Ext. 17131
Goldsboro Darlette McCormick darlette.mccormick.ctr@mail.mil Ext 15423
Family Matters 2015 Visit us online at www.nc.ngb.army.mil/SS/FP/Pages/default.aspx Like us on Facebook Search for NGNCFP Please submit questions or comments to SSG Tammy Fowler tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil
Greensboro Gloria Fields gloria.d.fields.ctr@mail.mil Ext 15620 Morrisville George Lane george.w.lane2.ctr@mail.mil Ext 16313 Raleigh Norman Dean norman.g.dean2.ctr@mail.mli Ext 46537