Fabulous Army Life

It seems every generation has at least one major event where they can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when the event occurred. From the “date which will live in infamy” to the assassinations of world figures like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., those who remember these events can tell you exact details about that moment in time. For me, I have very clear memories of the space shuttle Challenger launching, then exploding in air. I was a freshman in high school, watching the launch on a television in the school cafeteria when the tragedy occurred. I can remember the shock and confusion of that moment … immediate questions about what happened? Is this real? Will they be okay? Could they possibly be okay? How could this happen? The second event that will forever live in my memory is the attack on our nation on September 11, 2001. I was teaching middle schoolers, a part-time job, in Georgia at the time. My first class didn't start until 9:...

Our first Coffee with the new leadership in our brigade was a fun "Bunco Queen" theme, complete with pink boas, tiaras, cutesy paper goods, and a gorgeous pink cake.  Fun idea!

PHOTO: One of many suicide prevention posters from the Department of Defense. I like the "Have the Courage to Help a Buddy" theme. I have been reading a lot about suicide prevention this week. DoD is hosting "Suicide Prevention Month" alongside many other organizations to assist in identifying and preventing suicidal behavior and, especially, actions. This is a hot topic in the Army right now, with concerns about suicide rates, PTSD and other behavioral health issues, and the ongoing deployment cycle being discussed continuously. As it stands, it seems to me that suicide is one of the last standing "hush" subjects that no one really wants to talk about. With what I see as an "expose all" society (think Jerry Springer and similar shows where folks tell every minute detail about some really humiliating life event), it seems odd to me that this is still such a taboo topic. And I hope this is changing. I have known one person in my life who com...