FROM THE HOMEFRONT August 2020 A Note From the Director, Family Programs What’s Inside Greetings to our Families! We have a great deal to share with you this month. In this This Issue issue, you will find information on our upcoming Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots webinars, Strong Bonds workshop, Preparedness Day Flyer ..2 and a cookbook to honor those we have lost. Also, it is not too late for our 6-9 yo to sign up for our Child and Youth Extreme Cold ..................3 “Not-A-Box” Virtual Camp taking place on 10-14 August! Flood ...............................4 Kitchen Spoons Lastly, Benjamin Wilson, our Emergency Management Program & Combat Coordinator for the VTARNG has put together a unique way to highlight September as Emergency Preparedness Month! Boots ..............................4 It is a wonderful way for the whole family to be involved in this event happening at the Camp Ethan Allen Training (CEATS) facility on 12 September 2020. Part of the Military OneSource ........5 festivities includes a Coloring Contest and the details are below: Wing Family Readiness ..5 Preparedness Month Coloring Contest Open to all children, age 0-18, of current VTNG service members. Include your FRSA ..............................6 name, age, and address as well as your parents name and unit. All returned entries will be displayed in the drill hall at Green Mountain Armory, Camp Johnson, during Child & Youth .................6 Preparedness Month. Entries received by September 10th will be eligible for a prize drawing of disaster preparedness items to include; go-bags, emergency radios, and other preparedness kit items. A complete list of items will be available in September. ESGR ..............................7 Preparedness Month Coloring Contest Directions Vermont Veterans 1. Color one, or both, of the included pages. (Extreme Cold & Flood) Outreach ........................7 2. Send back to us by September 10th to be eligible for the prize drawing. 3. Send completed entry to: Vermont National Guard Camp Johnson Personal Financial Attention Protection Programs-Emergency Management 789 National Guard RD Services ...........................8 Colchester, VT 05446-9946 Or upload and email to: [email protected] VTARNG State Chaplain You will find the coloring sheets on page 3 and 4 of this newsletter. Many thanks to ............................................8 Ben and his office for putting together this event and hope to see you all at CEATS on Saturday, 12 September, 2020 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm! Strong Bonds Flyer.... ......9 DAVID C. LEONARD Cooking With Care ......10 Director, Family Programs Vermont National Guard (Office) (802)-338-3391 email: [email protected] Check us out on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com /VTNGFamilyPrograms/ August 2020 Page 1 August 2020 Page 2 August 2020 Page 3 Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots Transitioning “Back” to School Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 at 7:00 PM Do you have concerns about the upcoming school year? Do you have youth that are nervous about returning to their school? How are you preparing them for the transition while staying within the safety guidelines? Join the Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots Team on Wednesday, August 5th at 7PM for the Transitioning “Back” to School webinar. We will be discussing the Agency of Education’s safety guidelines, local support resources, and ways to help with those back to school jitters. For those who plan ahead here are the programs for the next three months... ~ Wed, Sept. 2 “Veteran Benefits” ~ Wed, Oct. 7 “Hosting the Holidays, Don’t Break the Bank” ~ Wed, Nov. 4 “Mindfulness: The Antedote for Worry” To join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://militaryonesource.zoom.us/j/3015674328 To access audio, dial by phone: 1 (646) 876 9923 Meeting ID: 301 567 4328 Questions: Call Marcie Caulfield at 802-338-3164 or Michaela LaCoss at 802-338-4317 August 2020 Page 4 Military OneSource Preparing Mentally for Lift of COVID-19 Restrictions As we enter a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, one might expect to feel a sense of relief. But more change also raises more questions. Under a shelter-in-place order, the expectations were clear, albeit unpleasant. As we start to dip our collective toe in the water, this can cause a new wave of feelings. Is it safe? Can I do it? Should I do it? There are countless “what ifs” to consider. As humans, we like to think of things linearly—with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Life seems to make more sense that way. As we have seen, however, that view does not apply to the pandemic. Instead, we are talking about curves—where we are on the curve, what the curve looks like, how we change the shape, etc. We also have discussions of a second wave. If a second wave, or peak in the curve occurs, it is apt to be smaller than the first, but nonetheless it’s challenging to think about. Just when we think we are out of the woods, more trees appear. Moving forward Managing an ever-changing situation requires some mental skill. If we anticipate and expect some waves, they are easier to navigate. Keep the following in mind when it comes to how you navigate forward: • To state the obvious, protect yourself. Despite things being allowed that were not previously, we can protect our wellbeing the same way we always have. The decision regarding whether an activity is safe or unsafe is ultimately still a personal decision to make. • Take a long view. We are all better served by making decisions that fit within our overall worldview and sense of self. In times of disruption, tapping into our core values is a great way to stay centered. Being focused on values vs. fears tends to lead to more appropriate decision-making. • Stay informed. Staying informed is important, especially when things change rapidly. Information has the power to allow you to feel secure in making decisions. • Accept things outside of your control. These days, many things are outside of our control. Trying to control the uncontrollable is, after all, impossible; however, planning is important. While things may not go fully according to plan, we should strive to focus on what we can control and remain flexible with changes. • Listen to your gut. If something seems like a bad idea, it might be, even if it seems to be true logically. If you’re not trusting your gut, run it by a trusted friend and get their input. As we enter a new phase of the pandemic, we need not be victim to the uncertainty. The uncertainty may be challenging, but through it all we will learn and grow. Consider talking to a Military OneSource non-medical counselor for help managing distress. Contact us any time by calling 800-342-9647 or by using our Live Chat feature on the website (www.militaryonesource.mil). For the complete listing of Department of Defense approved wellness apps, visit: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health- wellness/recommended-wellness-apps Marcie Caulfield ~ Office: (802)-338-3164 Cell: (802)-233-9694 email: [email protected] Airman and Family Readiness Manager Greetings from the Airman and Family Readiness Office! We hope you have been having a nice summer and staying safe! August is here and I thought you may be interested in some cool information about the month of August! August is known for many things, including the dog days of summer, National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3) and National Smile Week (Aug. 5-11). But there are many other fun facts associated with summer’s last full month. August is named after Augustus Caesar, founder and the first emperor of the Roman Empire, who was posthumously adopted by his maternal great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar. In the early Roman calendar, August was actually the sixth month of the year. It was originally 30 days in length, but an extra day was added so that it would equal the number of days in July, which was named after Julius Caesar. People born in August fall under the sun zodiac signs of Leo and Virgo. Leos are known to be dramatic, creative and outgoing. Virgos have acute attention to detail and are the people most likely to dedicate themselves to serving. They also are loyal, hardworking and analytical. The month of August is often referred to as the “dog days of summer” but not because of pet pooches. It has to do with the star Sirius, also known as the dog star, which rose at the same time as sunrise during the month of August in ancient Roman times. Are you planning on retiring or are you separating from the military?? Transition Assistance is available for you! We can help you schedule your pre-separation and help you get scheduled with attending TAP (virtually) through Hanscom AFB. It is important to get this started a year before you plan on retiring or separating! Please contact Family Readiness to get you started! 802-652-8035 Mary Mahoney ~ 158th FW Airman and Family Readiness Manager 802-652-8035 office 802-238-8645 cell [email protected] August 2020 Page 5 Family Readiness Support Assistant Hello Friends! For those of you who aren’t aware, the Family Readiness Support Service contract is sun setting at the end of August 2020. This means that there will no longer be Family Readiness Support Assistants however, the Military and Family Readiness Specialists will take over this role and will continue to provide support to Volunteers and Units! To all of my volunteers, commanders, and military points of contact – THANK YOU! Thank you for welcoming me to be part of your team and to assist you and your Family Readiness Groups.