1. PLEASE PASS TO ALL PERSONNEL
Military Naturalization Ceremony ‐ 23 April 2010
On Friday 23 April 2010, 24 members of the Armed Forces, representing 16
countries, were naturalized in a ceremony in the Rose Garden of The White House.
The Call of Countries and the presentation of Candidates for the Oath was done by
Director Alejandro Mayorkas, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The Oath of Allegiance was administered and congratulatory remarks were provided
by The Honorable Janet Napolitano, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. The keynote address was given by President Barack Obama.
Following his remarks, President Obama presented Sergeant Ledum D. Ndaanee, U.S.
Marine Corps, with the Outstanding American by Choice Award. Sgt Ndaanee was
born in Nigeria on May 2, 1981 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in September
2004. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 he suffered a
concussion and traumatic brain injury as the result of an improvised explosive
device. While recovering from his injuries at Wounded Warrior Battalion‐East in
Camp Lejeune, NC, Sgt Ndaanee played a vital role in the recovery process of his
fellow Marines and Sailors. After recovering from his wounds, Sgt Ndaanee
achieved an important milestone in his life by becoming a U.S. citizen in
November 2007. Sgt Ndaanee is currently serving as the non‐commissioned Officer‐
in‐Charge of the Warrior Athlete Reconditioning (WAR) Program’s Strength and
Conditioning Team and is a member of the aquatics team within Wounded Warrior
Battalion‐East. Over the course of his military career, Sgt Ndaanee has been
recognized with several honors including the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global
Was on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Also in attendance were The Honorable Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA); Deputy
Secretary of Defense William Lynn; General James E. Cartwright, Vice Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff; General Martin E. Dempsey, Commander, US Army Training
and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, VA; Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant
Major of the Marine Corps; Maj Gen George J. Allen (USMC), Director, Director for
Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4), and the Deputy DON Chief
Information Officer (DDCIO) for the United States Marine Corps.; Maj Gen Mary Kay
Hertog (USAF), Commander, Second Air Force, Keesler AFB; Capt John W. Peterson
(USN), Commander, Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.
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States Assisting Military Members and Their Families – Update
‐ Disposition of Service Member’s Remains
During the month of April, Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin changed their state
statutes so that they coincide with Federal law concerning the disposition of a
Service member’s remains. The change will help ensure that the same document
will be consulted by the Military Services authorities and funeral directors to
determine who has authority to direct disposition. Disconnects can lead to
family turmoil during a time of bereavement and potential for litigation to
resolve disagreements.

2.
For more information on this issue and the other nine issues impacting the
quality of life of our Service members and their families which the Department is
working with state governments, visit usa4militaryfamilies.dod.mil or
usa4militaryfamilies.org.
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Congressional Military Family Caucus Spouse Summit
The Military Family Caucus held a spouse summit on April 23rd. Over 102 members
of Congress support this Caucus dedicated to promote the interests of family
members of the uniform services, educate Members of Congress and their staff on
resources the military has for military families, and develop legislation to
support military families. Over 500 spouses submitted applications to
participate in the summit and 70 were chosen.
Challenges discussed were: education for military children, child care, effects
of deployment, military health care, family members with special needs, spouse
education, spouse employment, and mental health.
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“When Families Grieve”: DVD Resource Kit
Military OneSource is pleased to announce the release of the new Sesame Street
DVD resource kit, Talk, Listen, Connect: When Families Grieve. The DVD kit
features Elmo and the Sesame Street Muppets, along with the stories of families
who have experienced the death of a parent. The bilingual kit provides families
with tools to support children coping with the death of a parent while also
providing reassurance that together with their families, children can learn ways
to be there for each other and move forward. Please Note: This resource kit is
designed specifically for families coping with death.
Service Providers can order the DVD kits using the material order form at the
Military OneSource Service Provider page:
http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/ServiceProviders/OrderableMaterials.aspx
<http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/ServiceProviders/OrderableMaterials.aspx> .
The maximum limit per order is 30 kits.
You can find more information on Military OneSource’s Web site:
https://www.militaryonesource.com/WhenFamiliesGrieve
<https://www.militaryonesource.com/WhenFamiliesGrieve>
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Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families
The USO will be hosting a Sesame Street Tour beginning in late April. Admission
is free for military families and their children. The current USO Sesame Street
Tour schedule has been attached to this email. As tour dates are subject to

3. change, please visit www.sesamestreet.org/tlc and www.uso.org for the most up‐to‐
date information.
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National Teacher Appreciation Week
DoDEA will join communities around the globe in honoring their teachers during
National Teacher Appreciation Week, from May 2‐8. National Teacher Appreciation
Week is designed to honor the nation’s dedicated teachers and educators and to
show them we know that every day, teachers touch the lives of students, parents
and communities in significant ways. This year, Teacher Appreciation week is
scheduled from May 2‐8. “Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools," is the
enduring theme for the week‐long celebration highlighting the crucial role
teachers play in making sure every child receives a quality public education.
Activities and events are planned at many DoDEA schools to honor teachers and
celebrate their contributions.
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Five DoDEA Task Groups will meet during the week of 19 April 2010 in Long Beach,
California to discuss their work and topics currently under review. Scheduled to
meet are the following task groups: Using Data to Differentiate Instruction;
Administrator Performance Appraisal (MAPA): Virtual School; Early Childhood
Education: Middle Level Education: and 21st Century Skills.
In keeping with DoDEA's intent to maximize task group representation at the
classroom‐level, more than 80% of each task group is composed of teachers and
counselors. The task groups in each topic area are charged with a variety of
duties including reviewing data, current issues and program evaluations, and
student achievement. Members were selected by the three teacher association
leaders and the Area Directors.
Following their reviews, Task Groups provide recommendations to the DoDEA
Director and Deputy Director for improvement, modifications, or the elimination
of programs. The recommendations of DoDEA's task groups will chart the course
for the future of education across DoDEA and ensure that we deliver an
educational experience for our students to ensure consistency, progress, success,
land highest achievement.
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AFN story: Making math fun by SSG Christina Harwell. Is there anything that can
make learning math fun? Some kids think so. SSG Christina Harwell introduces us
to a group of students making algebra and enjoyable activity.
http://afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/aid/12447/Default.aspx
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AFN story: Working to "bee" the best by Rolla Suttmiller. Every year, one of the
biggest spelling bees in the world takes place in Washington D.C. Also every
year, one studious student spells their way to the top. Before they get there,

4. they have to win not just their school, but their regional championship. Rolla
Suttmiller takes us to the European Finals where American students came from far
and wide to compete.
http://afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/Default.aspx?aid=12400
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AFN story: Kid safe, no matter the vehicle. The festivities for April's Month of
the Military Child have already kicked off. We head to Aviano, Italy where a
different kind of vehicle safety class gives kids the chance to have fun and
learn something new.
http://afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/Default.aspx?aid=12361
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Commissary On‐Site Sales. DeCA is delivering the benefit through on‐site sales
at the following Guard and Reserve locations:
Apr 30 – May 1 Utah NG Riverton, UT
Apr 30 – May 1 NG Armory Coos Bay, OR
Apr 30 ‐ May 1 98th Training Div. Rochester, NY
May 1 Fargo Reserve Ctr. Fargo, ND
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U.S. Air Force Caring for People Forum
The Military Community and Family Policy staff was invited to attend the outbrief
for the 2010 U.S. Air Force Caring for People Forum held 19‐21 Apr in Arlington,
VA. Over 200 participants from across the USAF spectrum, both functionally and
geographically, gathered to consider a wide variety of issues within the
following areas: deployment support, school support, family support, Reserve
support, Guard support, housing, and health and wellness.
Forum working groups consisted of representatives from the special needs
community, Single Airman, and spouses discussing support topics specific to their
situations and needs.
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OSD Family Advocacy Program had an exhibit with many interested visitors at
the USAF Caring for Air Force People forum on Tuesday, April 20. Display
materials focused on the New Parent Support program and the DoD Weekly
E‐Mail Service for New and Expectant Parents.
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Financial Tip of the Week

5. Online Banking, Bill Paying and Shopping: Ways to Protect Your Money.
Internet commerce is fast and convenient, but as with the old‐fashioned ways of
doing business, it pays to take precautions. Online banking, bill paying, and
shopping are conveniences that most people want to enjoy. Most of the time, high‐
tech transactions are completed quickly and without a glitch. However, just as
with other transactions, in a small percentage of cases something goes wrong.
That's why you need to take precautions against theft and errors.
If you bank online, frequently check your deposit accounts and lines of credit to
spot and report errors or fraudulent transactions; just as you should with
traditional banking.
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DOD Financial Partner in the Spotlight: FINRA Investor Education Foundation
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation
has been an official DoD Financial Readiness Campaign partner since 2003. The
FINRA Investor Education Foundation is the largest foundation in the U.S.
dedicated to investor education. Its mission is to provide investors with high‐
quality; easily accessible information and tools to better understand the markets
and the basic principles of saving and investing. The FINRA Investor Education
Foundation Web site, www.saveandinvest.org, provides free, unbiased financial
information and tools to military families.
Click on “Subscribe” on the homepage to receive FINRA’s e‐Newsletter and get
free, updated saving and investing information from FINRA.
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Military Spouse Tip of the Week
Has Your Service member Recently Returned Home from Combat? Military OneSource
has resources that can help ease the transition for you and your service member.
Visit www.militaryonesource.com to discover resources such as: Becoming a Couple
Again Reintegration Fact Sheet for Military Couples, Coming Home: What to Expect,
How to Deal When You Return from Combat, and Chill Drills: Relaxing Your Body and
Mind audio.
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Parenting Tip of the Week
Military OneSource Moderated Chat: “Single Parenting While Your Spouse Is
Deployed”
While your spouse is deployed and you are home with the children, there may be
times when you feel like a single parent. Although the situation is temporary,
there are emotional, financial, and practical day‐to‐day adjustments you will
need to make as you cope with this transition. Even if you have friends and
relatives nearby, you're likely to experience some struggles while your spouse is
away.

6.
Share your experiences, bring your questions and help us provide strategies and
best practices on adjusting to life as a single parent while your spouse is
deployed. Join us to talk about:
* Preparing for what's ahead
* Adjusting emotionally
* Helping your child adjust
* Ways to make the adjustment easier for you
* Resources
The moderated chat is on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 3:00 Eastern Time at
http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/ModeratedChat.aspx
<http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/ModeratedChat.aspx>
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Nutrition Tip of the Week
Kids, tweens and teens all need calcium. Consuming milk products is especially
important during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is being built. Be sure
your kids are consuming 2 to 3 servings of milk or milk products each day.
For more information on making healthy and nutritious food choices, check out the
Commissary’s website at http://www.commissaries.com/
<http://www.commissaries.com/>
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Getting support:
. Commanders can request support and resources from the Joint Family Support
Assistance Program by calling the Joint Family Resource Center at 1‐888‐256‐9920.
. Military OneSource:
This free 24‐hour service, provided by the Department of Defense, is available to
all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. Consultants
provide information and make referrals on a wide range of issues, including
financial issues. You can reach the program by telephone at 1‐800‐342‐9647 or
through the Web site at www.militaryonesource.com.
While April 15th has past, Military OneSource (MOS) continues provide free tax
filing services and free tax consultations to military service members and their
families during the tax season. Visit the website or call the phone number above
for more information.
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Have a great week. Your MC&FP Team!