HOME ABOUT MILITARY REACH LIBRARY UPDATES RESOURCES 12 DEC 2023 RED, WHITE, AND MERRY: CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS IN THE MILITARY By Melissa GarnesEditors Kate Abbate; Kaylee Short Cookies, candles, and joy - it's that wonderful time of the year! November and December bring many holidays celebrated by families worldwide – Diwali, Hanukkah, Krampus Night, and Kwanza are just a few around the world that are celebrated. Yet not every family holiday mirrors the magical moments often portrayed in Hollywood films. Some families grapple with separation, financial constraints, or time limitations. Our military families, with their distinctive responsibilities and lifestyle, share in these struggles. Thankfully, the Department of Defense (DOD) and global organizations have collaborated to create support systems, traditions, and services for service personnel, their families, and civilians to lessen the burden they may face during the holiday season. In this article, we'll explore how the DOD, national organizations, and local communities are extending a helping hand to families across the globe, and we will discuss ways your family can spread holiday cheer this season. NORAD Tracks Santa One month out of each year, the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) embarks on the magical journey of tracking the man in the red suit as he circles the globe. This whimsical tradition traces back nearly 65 years to an unexpected phone call. A little boy from Colorado Springs dialed the Constitutional Air Defense Command, hoping to speak to Santa after a department store advertisement misprinted the phone number. To his delight, Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup answered, and in the true spirit of Christmas, he and his team continued to field calls from eager children throughout the night. Beginning December 1st, you and your family can virtually visit the Noth Pole to learn more about Santa, play a new game every day in December, listen to Santa’s favorite music, and watch movies about Santa and NORAD! But make sure to come back on Christmas Eve to see when he’s flying his sleigh through a town near you! Operation Christmas Drop The holiday spirit didn't just touch the operators at the Constitutional Air Defense Command. In 1952, an aircrew aboard a B-29 Superfortress spotted Kapingamarangi islanders waving from below. Moved by the festive season, the crew decided to perform a parachute drop of supplies. This single act of generosity evolved into Operation Christmas Drop, the DOD's longest-running humanitarian initiative. For over a week, hundreds of volunteers, Service members, and communities unite to parachute packages to more than 50 remote islands in the Pacific. These aren't your typical wrapped gifts; they descend like snowflakes, filled with essentials like clothing, rice, school supplies, fishing gear, and, of course, toys! Operation Homefront Holiday Toy Drive The spirit of giving doesn't end with Operation Christmas Drop. The military community has its own secret Santa in the form of Operation Homefront's annual Holiday Toy Drive. This initiative brings joy to Veteran, wounded, and active-duty families through the gift of toys. Yet, it means more than just playthings; the Holiday Toy Drive symbolizes the community coming together to express gratitude to military personnel and their families for their unique sacrifices. In creating cherished memories and smiles, this present is priceless. If you’re feeling as moved this holiday season as we are, here are some ways you can get involved with military communities near and far to spread that good ole holiday cheer: Adopt-A-Family Holiday Support Soldier’s Angels provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military community. Through their Adopt-A-Family program, you can provide gifts and a grocery gift card for a military family in your community, just filter by zip code, city, or state. Send a Card Send a heartfelt card or handmade letter to a Veteran or Service member this season. Participate in the Military Card Challenge or send Hanukkah cards through The Jewish Soldiers Project (contact: jewishsoldiersproject@gmail.com) Volunteer to Feed Veterans Brought to you by the Soldier’s Angels organization, you can volunteer to serve our military-connected community by assisting with food distribution events. The goal of these events is to provide groceries to low-income active-duty Service members, Guardsmen, Reservists, Veterans, and their families. These events are sponsored by local businesses and organizations and are made possible with help from volunteers. This program is offered in the following cities: Atlanta, Georgia Charleston, South Carolina Denver, Colorado Detroit, Michigan Orlando, Florida San Antonio, Texas If you don’t see a city near you don’t worry, make a meal for a military member you know, so you can share in the joy of good food and good company. The collaborative efforts between the Department of Defense (DOD) and global organizations have provided invaluable support systems, established enduring traditions, and provided essential services that alleviate the burdens faced by civilians, Service members, and their families during the holiday season. These initiatives and celebrations have woven a framework of compassion, resilience, and community, fostering unity among diverse families connected by the common thread of service to their nations. These endeavors not only recognize the sacrifices made by military personnel but also extend their embrace to the families and communities that stand with them. From our home at Military REACH to yours, we hope you have a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year! RECENT STORIES Related Stories in MOBILIZING RESEARCH, PROMOTING FAMILY READINESS. Our Partners Auburn University University of Georgia Department of Defense US Department of Agriculture 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 Military REACH Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu Contact Us Website Feedback Stay Connected with Military REACH These materials were developed as a result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) between the DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) through a grant/cooperative agreement with Auburn University. USDA/NIFA Award No. 2021-48710-35671. Last Update: 02/23/2022 2017 - 2022 All Right Reserved - Military REACHPrivacy Statement| Accessibility Plan

Garnes, Melissa

HOME ABOUT MILITARY REACH LIBRARY UPDATES RESOURCES 12 DEC 2023 RED, WHITE, AND MERRY: CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS IN THE MILITARY By Melissa GarnesEditors Kate Abbate; Kaylee Short Cookies, candles, and joy - it's that wonderful time of the year! November and December bring many holidays celebrated by families worldwide – Diwali, Hanukkah, Krampus Night, and Kwanza are just a few around the world that are celebrated. Yet not every family holiday mirrors the magical moments often portrayed in Hollywood films. Some families grapple with separation, financial constraints, or time limitations. Our military families, with their distinctive responsibilities and lifestyle, share in these struggles. Thankfully, the Department of Defense (DOD) and global organizations have collaborated to create support systems, traditions, and services for service personnel, their families, and civilians to lessen the burden they may face during the holiday season. In this article, we'll explore how the DOD, national organizations, and local communities are extending a helping hand to families across the globe, and we will discuss ways your family can spread holiday cheer this season. NORAD Tracks Santa One month out of each year, the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) embarks on the magical journey of tracking the man in the red suit as he circles the globe. This whimsical tradition traces back nearly 65 years to an unexpected phone call. A little boy from Colorado Springs dialed the Constitutional Air Defense Command, hoping to speak to Santa after a department store advertisement misprinted the phone number. To his delight, Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup answered, and in the true spirit of Christmas, he and his team continued to field calls from eager children throughout the night. Beginning December 1st, you and your family can virtually visit the Noth Pole to learn more about Santa, play a new game every day in December, listen to Santa’s favorite music, and watch movies about Santa and NORAD! But make sure to come back on Christmas Eve to see when he’s flying his sleigh through a town near you! Operation Christmas Drop The holiday spirit didn't just touch the operators at the Constitutional Air Defense Command. In 1952, an aircrew aboard a B-29 Superfortress spotted Kapingamarangi islanders waving from below. Moved by the festive season, the crew decided to perform a parachute drop of supplies. This single act of generosity evolved into Operation Christmas Drop, the DOD's longest-running humanitarian initiative. For over a week, hundreds of volunteers, Service members, and communities unite to parachute packages to more than 50 remote islands in the Pacific. These aren't your typical wrapped gifts; they descend like snowflakes, filled with essentials like clothing, rice, school supplies, fishing gear, and, of course, toys! Operation Homefront Holiday Toy Drive The spirit of giving doesn't end with Operation Christmas Drop. The military community has its own secret Santa in the form of Operation Homefront's annual Holiday Toy Drive. This initiative brings joy to Veteran, wounded, and active-duty families through the gift of toys. Yet, it means more than just playthings; the Holiday Toy Drive symbolizes the community coming together to express gratitude to military personnel and their families for their unique sacrifices. In creating cherished memories and smiles, this present is priceless. If you’re feeling as moved this holiday season as we are, here are some ways you can get involved with military communities near and far to spread that good ole holiday cheer: Adopt-A-Family Holiday Support Soldier’s Angels provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military community. Through their Adopt-A-Family program, you can provide gifts and a grocery gift card for a military family in your community, just filter by zip code, city, or state. Send a Card Send a heartfelt card or handmade letter to a Veteran or Service member this season. Participate in the Military Card Challenge or send Hanukkah cards through The Jewish Soldiers Project (contact: jewishsoldiersproject@gmail.com) Volunteer to Feed Veterans Brought to you by the Soldier’s Angels organization, you can volunteer to serve our military-connected community by assisting with food distribution events. The goal of these events is to provide groceries to low-income active-duty Service members, Guardsmen, Reservists, Veterans, and their families. These events are sponsored by local businesses and organizations and are made possible with help from volunteers. This program is offered in the following cities: Atlanta, Georgia Charleston, South Carolina Denver, Colorado Detroit, Michigan Orlando, Florida San Antonio, Texas If you don’t see a city near you don’t worry, make a meal for a military member you know, so you can share in the joy of good food and good company. The collaborative efforts between the Department of Defense (DOD) and global organizations have provided invaluable support systems, established enduring traditions, and provided essential services that alleviate the burdens faced by civilians, Service members, and their families during the holiday season. These initiatives and celebrations have woven a framework of compassion, resilience, and community, fostering unity among diverse families connected by the common thread of service to their nations. These endeavors not only recognize the sacrifices made by military personnel but also extend their embrace to the families and communities that stand with them. From our home at Military REACH to yours, we hope you have a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year! RECENT STORIES Related Stories in MOBILIZING RESEARCH, PROMOTING FAMILY READINESS. Our Partners Auburn University University of Georgia Department of Defense US Department of Agriculture 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 Military REACH Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu Contact Us Website Feedback Stay Connected with Military REACH These materials were developed as a result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) between the DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) through a grant/cooperative agreement with Auburn University. USDA/NIFA Award No. 2021-48710-35671. Last Update: 02/23/2022 2017 - 2022 All Right Reserved - Military REACHPrivacy Statement| Accessibility Plan

Family Story

https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/ffCelebratingHolidaysintheMilitary.jsp

(334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu HOME ABOUT MILITARY REACH LIBRARY UPDATES RESOURCES SEARCH Military REACH Review | December 2023 Newsletter Koehlmoos and colleagues (2023) examined changes in behavioral health diagnoses (e.g., anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation) among adolescent dependents of active-duty Service members from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. T/F: Military adolescents experienced an increase in behavioral health diagnoses (i.e., anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts) during the COVID-19 pandemic. True False COUPLES Associations of warzone veteran and intimate partner PTSD symptoms with child depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and conduct problems (MacDonald et al., 2023) TRAUMA Sexual risk taking among survivors of U.S. military sexual assault: Associations with PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use (Blais et al., 2023) YOUTH Changes in body mass index and behavioral health among adolescents in military families during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study (Koehlmoos et al., 2023) FINANCES Exploring financial behaviors of military households: Do financial knowledge and financial education matter? (Wilmarth et al., 2023) MENTAL HEALTH Evidence for excess familial clustering of post traumatic stress disorder in the US veterans genealogy resource (Cannon-Albright et al., 2022) Pilot evaluation of the online ‘Chaplains-CARE’ program: Enhancing skills for United States military suicide intervention practices and care. Journal of Religion and Health (Lee-Tauler et al., 2023) PARENTS Parental perceptions of social and emotional well-being of young children from Australian military families (Rogers et al., 2023) Linking observing and nonreactivity mindfulness to parenting: Moderated direct and indirect effects via inhibitory control (Zhang et al., 2023) PROGRAMMING A novel mind-body podcast program for military and veteran caregivers (Bui et al., 2023) Programs to address violence for military families: A systematic review (Dodge et al., 2023) VETERANS Feasibility of delivering a virtual 1-day acceptance and commitment therapy workshop to rural veterans through community partnerships (Dindo et al., 2023) Facilitating United States service members’ transition out of the military: A self-determination theory perspective (Raabe et al., 2023) View Archived TRIP Reports FOR MILITARY FAMILIES & HELPING PROFESSIONALS Red, White, and Merry: Celebrating Holidays in the Military By: Melissa Garnes , Undergraduate Research Assistant, Military REACH Not every family's holiday mirror the magical moments often portrayed in Hollywood films. Many families, including our military families, grapple with separation, financial constraints, or time limitations. In this piece, Melissa discusses how the DOD, other national organizations, and our local communities work together to make the holiday season magical for military families. View Archived Articles BARBARA THOMPSON EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH ON MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILIES AWARD CEREMONY This month, several of our team members attended the Military Families Research Institute (MFRI) awards ceremony honoring research that improves the lives of military and Veteran families. Learn more about the award here . AWARD WINNER: A trauma-informed, family-centered, virtual home visiting program for young children: One-year outcomes (Mogil et al., 2022) AWARD FINALISTS: Evidence for excess familial clustering of post traumatic stress disorder in the US veterans genealogy resource (Cannon-Albright et al., 2022) Marriage checkup in integrated primary care: A randomized controlled trial with active-duty military couples (Cigrang et al., 2022) Families serve too: Military spouse well-being after separation from active-duty service (Corry et al., 2022) Longitudinal associations among service members’ PTSD symptoms, partner accommodation, and partner distress (Fredman et al., 2022) MILITARY REACH: 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW Check out the work our Military REACH team has accomplished in 2023 to achieve our goal of mobilizing research and promoting military family readiness. Select the image to see the report in a larger size. Meet our Team Review More Research Summaries Past Newsletters MOBILIZING RESEARCH, PROMOTING FAMILY READINESS. Our Partners Auburn University University of Georgia Department of Defense US Department of Agriculture 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 Military REACH Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu Contact Us Website Feedback Stay Connected with Military REACH These materials were developed as a result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) between the DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) through a grant/cooperative agreement with Auburn University. USDA/NIFA Award No. 2021-48710-35671. Last Update: 02/23/2022 2017 - 2022 All Right Reserved - Military REACHPrivacy Statement| Accessibility Plan

(334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu HOME ABOUT MILITARY REACH LIBRARY UPDATES RESOURCES SEARCH Military REACH Review | December 2023 Newsletter Koehlmoos and colleagues (2023) examined changes in behavioral health diagnoses (e.g., anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation) among adolescent dependents of active-duty Service members from before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. T/F: Military adolescents experienced an increase in behavioral health diagnoses (i.e., anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts) during the COVID-19 pandemic. True False COUPLES Associations of warzone veteran and intimate partner PTSD symptoms with child depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and conduct problems (MacDonald et al., 2023) TRAUMA Sexual risk taking among survivors of U.S. military sexual assault: Associations with PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use (Blais et al., 2023) YOUTH Changes in body mass index and behavioral health among adolescents in military families during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study (Koehlmoos et al., 2023) FINANCES Exploring financial behaviors of military households: Do financial knowledge and financial education matter? (Wilmarth et al., 2023) MENTAL HEALTH Evidence for excess familial clustering of post traumatic stress disorder in the US veterans genealogy resource (Cannon-Albright et al., 2022) Pilot evaluation of the online ‘Chaplains-CARE’ program: Enhancing skills for United States military suicide intervention practices and care. Journal of Religion and Health (Lee-Tauler et al., 2023) PARENTS Parental perceptions of social and emotional well-being of young children from Australian military families (Rogers et al., 2023) Linking observing and nonreactivity mindfulness to parenting: Moderated direct and indirect effects via inhibitory control (Zhang et al., 2023) PROGRAMMING A novel mind-body podcast program for military and veteran caregivers (Bui et al., 2023) Programs to address violence for military families: A systematic review (Dodge et al., 2023) VETERANS Feasibility of delivering a virtual 1-day acceptance and commitment therapy workshop to rural veterans through community partnerships (Dindo et al., 2023) Facilitating United States service members’ transition out of the military: A self-determination theory perspective (Raabe et al., 2023) View Archived TRIP Reports FOR MILITARY FAMILIES & HELPING PROFESSIONALS Red, White, and Merry: Celebrating Holidays in the Military By: Melissa Garnes , Undergraduate Research Assistant, Military REACH Not every family's holiday mirror the magical moments often portrayed in Hollywood films. Many families, including our military families, grapple with separation, financial constraints, or time limitations. In this piece, Melissa discusses how the DOD, other national organizations, and our local communities work together to make the holiday season magical for military families. View Archived Articles BARBARA THOMPSON EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH ON MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILIES AWARD CEREMONY This month, several of our team members attended the Military Families Research Institute (MFRI) awards ceremony honoring research that improves the lives of military and Veteran families. Learn more about the award here . AWARD WINNER: A trauma-informed, family-centered, virtual home visiting program for young children: One-year outcomes (Mogil et al., 2022) AWARD FINALISTS: Evidence for excess familial clustering of post traumatic stress disorder in the US veterans genealogy resource (Cannon-Albright et al., 2022) Marriage checkup in integrated primary care: A randomized controlled trial with active-duty military couples (Cigrang et al., 2022) Families serve too: Military spouse well-being after separation from active-duty service (Corry et al., 2022) Longitudinal associations among service members’ PTSD symptoms, partner accommodation, and partner distress (Fredman et al., 2022) MILITARY REACH: 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW Check out the work our Military REACH team has accomplished in 2023 to achieve our goal of mobilizing research and promoting military family readiness. Select the image to see the report in a larger size. Meet our Team Review More Research Summaries Past Newsletters MOBILIZING RESEARCH, PROMOTING FAMILY READINESS. Our Partners Auburn University University of Georgia Department of Defense US Department of Agriculture 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 Military REACH Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu Contact Us Website Feedback Stay Connected with Military REACH These materials were developed as a result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) between the DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) through a grant/cooperative agreement with Auburn University. USDA/NIFA Award No. 2021-48710-35671. Last Update: 02/23/2022 2017 - 2022 All Right Reserved - Military REACHPrivacy Statement| Accessibility Plan

Newsletter

https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/newsletter_december_2023.jsp

  December 2023