Military Partners and Families Coalition
NEWS - March 2013 EDITION
MPFC Featured Ally Spouse

Kathy Moakler is the Government Relations Director at the National Military Family Association. Not only is Kathy a military spouse, she is also a military mom. Her advice to MPFC families:"One of the most useful things I learned as a military spouse was to be pro-active. Learn all you can about the aspects of military life that affect you the most. Whether it's paving the way for a successful transition for your children in a new school, becoming an expert on the family support resources you need, or advocating for yourself when you are looking for new job at the next duty station - plan ahead. Today, with the Internet, it's so much easier than when I would call a friend or acquaintance to assess the lay of the land before we moved."  Read more >>  
 
MPFC is honored to feature our monthly ally spouses who have shown tremendous leadership in advancing equality for ALL military families. Do you know ally spouses who you would like us to feature? Please send an email to [email protected].     

March Faces of Our Families

Chris, Novia, and their 9-month-old son, CJ, live near Louisville, KY with their 2 dogs and 4 cats. It is certainly a full house for this Air Force family! Chris recently retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having served 28 years in the Air Force/Air National Guard and Novia, a Master Sergeant, currently serves in the Air National Guard. In addition, Chris and Novia both entered into the civil service, working for the Veterans Administration. In their very limited free time, Chris is a basketball official at the high school and collegiate levels and Novia trains for triathlons. The couple, having been together for 11 years, was elated to add to their family by adopting CJ this past year, as he quickly became the light of their lives. Read more >>
 
Interested in participating along our wonderful families? Please send an email to [email protected].   

MPFC/StoryCorps Reception

Building Coalitions.
Great food, great company, and amazing stories! MPFC and StoryCorps celebrated the voices of our LGBT military families on Saturday, Feb 23 at the HRC Headquarters. Thanks to all who attended our event, "Telling: A Reception to Celebrate the Voices of ALL Military Families." We want to extend a very special thank you to all the families who shared their stories, which will be archived at the Library of Congress. View more pictures on MPFC Facebook or remarks from MPFC President.

  


DoD Extending Benefits

Movement Towards Equality.
MPFC applauds the Department of Defense (DoD) taking action to extend certain benefits to same-sex partners and spouses of service members. MPFC will continue to work alongside the DoD and monitor implementation of these benefits. For more information on the specifics, you can download the memo.

  


Love is Love

Community Outreach.
On February 14th, MPFC Board Member Meg Rapelye joined photographer Jeff Sheng to provide a panel discussion on perspectives of life before and after the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell at UVA's Darden School of Business.  The panel discussion was part of a week-long series of events called "Love is Love", an annual initiative to promote awareness off, and equality for, the LGBT community. Jeff's exhibit entitled "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which is comprised of moving photographs of LGBT service members before the repeal, was displayed at the Darden Business School throughout the week.

  


Looking for Volunteers.
 
Make A Difference.

Did you know that MPFC is 100% powered by volunteers? Over the last two years, MPFC volunteers have provided support to military families, advocated for equal benefits and access, built coalitions with organizations providing support to military families, and conducted media and educational outreach. All this while having fun!!  

 

MPFC is seeking volunteers to help with projects and to serve on the leadership teams. As MPFC grows, we especially need volunteers who can help with media outreach, website development, fundraising, and organizing social events near installations around the country. Interested in helping to serve ALL military families?
Email us at [email protected], we'd love to hear from you.

MPFC Family Invited to the State of the Union - A Personal Story
  

After the speech, our escorts put us in line, handed us tickets, and said, "You're going to meet the president" -- all I could think was, "What am I going to tell the President of the United States?"

 

It was my turn. His aide announced my name. He looked at me and a big smile followed. I extended my hand to the President of the United States. He said it was a pleasure to meet me!? I thanked him for his words in the SOTU and continuing commitment to all military families. He didn't rush our encounter.

 

The president and I spent some time discussing the military benefits that the Pentagon announced and the work that still remains. He told me that the Service Secretaries are really on board with treating all service members equally. Then he looked me right in the eye and said; "We are going to get this done." I responded by saying; 'I know we are." I couldn't help myself and just had to tell him; "I am very proud of you." He was touched and said to me, "Thank you for your service."

 

Read more at Huff Post

 
Have news you want to feature? Write to us [email protected].

EVENTS
Mar 24 - Virtual Family Meeting
 
Social Time. For an hour, kick back, relax, and join a LIVE chat with other (LGBT and Ally) military families. Gain insight from or just vent with other military partners/spouses who have been through similar situations and understand what you are going through. You can join us via video chat, phone, or even just participate with instant messaging - you can share as much or as little as you want.    
 
Get events detail at: http://www.milpfc.org/events/.

Never Too Late...

Help Us Support Military Families. MPFC is run by all volunteers and your support enables us to provide valuable programs, media advocacy, and educational outreach. MFPC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact:
Like us on Facebook     
Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC): is a private non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 2011 by a group of partners of active duty U.S. Armed forces service members station in the U.S. and overseas. MPFC provides support, resources, education and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military partners and their families. For more information, go to www.milpfc.org or email [email protected]