Military Officer - August 2006 - (Page 24)

rapidfire Spotlight Spouse Attention Check out these military-related entertainment offerings. BOOK AWOL: The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes from Military Service — and How It Hurts Our Country (Collins Books, 2006): Kathy Roth-Douquet and Frank Schaeffer write about the disconnect between the military and opinion leaders — professionals, media, academics, and politicians — and how that estrangement hurts the U.S. Roth-Douquet is a military wife, and Schaeffer’s son is a Marine. MOVIE The Guardian (Touchstone Pictures, 2006): Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher star in this drama about a legendary rescue swimmer who is sent to teach at “A School,” the Coast Guard rescue swimmers’ school. The movie will be released in theaters this fall. BOOK Courage After Fire: Coping Strategies for Returning Soldiers and Their Families (Ulysses Press, 2006): This book by mental health professionals Keith Armstrong, Suzanne Best, and Paula Domenici offers strategies to help war fighters rejoin the workforce and reconnect with their families when they return home. J ulie Wartell is the founder of www.mili tarybabies.com and www.9storkavenue.com, which offer military-inspired children’s wear, adult and maternity clothing, and baby gifts. She lives in Coronado, Calif., with her Navy pilot husband, Sam Wartell, and toddler, Amelia. Where did you get the idea for your home business? I was looking for cute baby clothes with helicopters for Amelia to show how proud we are of my husband. I couldn’t ﬁnd much, especially for girls. I had an idea of a pink sweater with a white helicopter. That was my ﬁrst product. What prepared you to enter into these retail markets? I have a background in art and design, and I combined that with my experience as a mother and my patriotic spirit. What advice do you have for other military spouses who want to try self-employment? The Internet offers endless possibilities. Tap into your network. One friend designed my Web site, one does my public relations, and one watches Amelia. Why do you donate to MOAA’s American Patriot Scholarship fund? After I had my daughter, whenever I would hear about casualties, I would think, “Oh gosh, their poor children.” I just wanted to help take care of them. — Ellen N. Woods About Your Benefits T he VA is reaching out to veterans in six states where the average amount of VA disability compensation paid was less than $7,300. The states that meet the provisions are Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio. The VA wants to inform these veterans about how to submit a claim for increased benefits if they think their service-connected conditions have worsened or if they have an additional disability not previously claimed. Information also is provided on what is required if a veteran thinks an error was made in an earlier decision and wants the VA to review that earlier decision. The VA will mail a letter and flyer to all veterans in these states who currently are receiving VA disability compensation. The VA is developing a public information campaign to inform all veterans in these states about VA beneﬁts. MO ON THE WEB ■ Visit the VA Web site at www.vba.va.gov/specialoutreach. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT http://www.militarybabies.com http://www.militarybabies.com http://www.9storkavenue.com http://www.vba.va.gov/specialoutreach

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - August 2006

Military Officer - August 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapter Activities Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Changing of the Guard Four-Star Rating Long Term Care Kryptogram Pages of History Information Exchange MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - August 2006

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