The Chronicles of Marna

The ever-popular “Boos and Bouquets” are back after a long absence. Look for new ones posted every month in 2012. Here are the many applause-worthy events of November and December, and only three disappointments.

Boos 

• US Troops in Iraq are “re-missioned” to Kuwait. Home for Christmas—NOT.
• “Sweetheart Scammers” posing as Soldiers on online dating sites using photographs stolen from the internet.
• The disturbing revelations of mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery.

 Bouquets    

• The 15,000 volunteers who helped place 90,000 wreaths on Veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

• The Annual Army-Navy game, held this year in Maryland. Nothing can match the exuberance of our cadets and midshipmen. Navy won for the tenth time in a row.

• 1001 Things to Love about Military Life, a new book by Tara Crooks, Starlett Henderson, Kathie Hightower, and Holly Scherer (Hachette Book Group, 2011).

•  Pearl Harbor Day

•  J.R. Martinez, Iraqi War Vet turned actor, the 2011 Champion of “Dancing with the Stars.”

• Medal of Honor winner Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer quit working for a defense contractor when he found out they were selling sniper scopes to Pakistan.

• Representative Gabby Gifford and husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, served Thanksgiving Dinner to the troops at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in her hometown of Tucson, AZ.

• Vice-President Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, hosted military families at their residence in Washington DC for Thanksgiving. The 29 guests are staying at Fisher Houses in the area while their family members receive care at military medical centers.

• President Obama marked the official end of the Iraq War with a ceremony at Ft. Bragg.

• Under the “Have a Little Fun” category, World Wrestling Entertainment twins Brie and Nikki Bella visited the US Military Academy and attempted the cadet obstacle course. I’ve tried to do this course and it’s very difficult, so they’re in good shape if they completed it.

• Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins donated a total of $10,000 to ten USO centers across the country.

• Lifetime TV ordered ten additional episodes for the sixth season of Army Wives now in production.

• Fort Monroe’s colors were cased at a ceremony marking its closure as an Army post. It’s been an active installation since 1823.

• The US Marine Toys for Tots Program once again collected and distributed gifts to needy children this Christmas.

• Brides Across America, a consortium of bridal shops organized by Heidi Janson, has donated 8000 designer dresses to active duty brides and fiancés of service members as a way of saying “Thanks.”

• The Military Wives Choir of England and their beautiful single “Wherever You Are.”

Marna Ashburn Krajeski is the author of HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE: The Moving Life of a Military Wife and HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: 56 Stories From the Hearts and Lives of Military Wives. She blogs at HouseholdBaggage.com and  GreatGetTogethers.com.