Here are our top stories for the week of Nov. 18 from our News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Shuri Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Destroyed 

Military families familiar with Okinawa were saddened to hear that Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Okinawa Prefecture, was destroyed by a fire on Oct. 31. Shuri Castle was 500 years old and initially served as the palace for the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879, when the Empire of Japan took ownership. It was almost destroyed once before, during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. Marine spouse Mari Gregory started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to help in rebuilding the historical treasure. 

Photo By 663highland – Own work, CC BY 2.5 

New Name, New Focus for FRGs 

The Association of the United States Army reported that the Army is changing its Family Readiness Groups to better reflect the needs of each command. It has also given the program a new name. Soldier and Family Readiness Groups, will remain a commander’s program and will be open to soldiers, Army civilians, immediate and extended family members, and volunteers. This is the first time that the FRGs have seen a major change since they were established during the first Gulf War. AUSA.org also shares that, “The move shifts the groups away from social activities and fundraising to communicating, connecting, sharing information, and providing a ‘critical link’ between commanders and their soldiers and families.”

New, Indefinite Enlistments for Air Force 

Stars and Stripes reported that “The Air Force has approved indefinite enlistments for active-duty airmen with at least twelve years of service.” This means that those airmen in good standing will not have to reenlist every four to six years. Retention bonuses will still be offered that may result in additional service commitments. 

Veteran-Owned Tech Company Offers Out-of-Box Recruitment Solution 

Military members with limited access to phone and email have been receiving letters through a company called Sandboxx. The company offers a fast alternative to traditional “snail mail” and Military Times reported that senior enlisted leaders have been using the business as a way to connect with new recruits.

“Incoming Marines received a letter from the 18th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Ronald Green, in April. Sgt. Maj. Troy Black also sent incoming Marines a letter in the summer when he replaced Green. Likewise, the incoming airmen received a letter from Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright in July.” Shane McCarthy, a Sandboxx’s chief marketing officer said, “it’s going to leave a lasting positive impression on that new service member and their family.”

Thanksgiving Fun

Are you looking for a way to step up your Thanksgiving that doesn’t involve a seven-hour game of Monopoly ending in a family war? Good Housekeeping has a list of 15 activities to up the entertainment for your family and friends. Start with a simple game of Turkey Tag. Secretly pin a turkey onto friends and relatives throughout the day. The person who ends up with the Turkey pinned to their clothes has to do the dishes, or you can think of another consequence! Take the party outside with Harvest Bowling. Line your driveway with straw bales, then roll pumpkins to knock down bowling pins! You could also hide mini pumpkins and gourds for a pumpkin hunt. Help foster a feeling of Thanksgiving by playing the Gratitude Game (with a free printable) or taking turns naming something you’re grateful for from A to Z. Click here for all of the ideas!