AWTR Show #871: Military Hearts Matter

In 2012, Holly Vega’s brother had a heart attack at 40, that’s when she began her heart- healthy advocacy. But it was Gold Star wife Vivianne Wersel’s story of her Marine husband’s heart attack that pushed her to establish Military Hearts Matter (MHM). Holly developed this advocacy group to bring awareness of the stresses of military life for both service members and family and its relation to heart health. In 2020, Holly and Co founder Kaprece James started the non-profit Military Hearts Matter.

MHM is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a vision to help educate, support and create programs for the military heart community. Together with a board, volunteers, and ambassadors of military spouses and veterans, the organization is paving the way to fully support our military heart community. Military Hearts Matter’s mission is to support the military hearts that serve. 

Holly Carter Vega is a Marine Corps spouse and has been married to her husband, LT Col Javier Vega, for 21 years. Holly is also currently pursuing a B.S. in Social Psychology from Park University and is a full time mother of three kids. An avid volunteer, Holly was named the 2019 Military Spouse of the Year. The Vega family was also named the 2019 Central Florida USO Marine Corps Family of the Year.

Holly is a connector and a supporter; striving daily to connect military families to resources while supporting military spouses to collaborate in the pursuit of their dreams. She is a strong believer that military spouses are stronger together and strives to lift their collective voices as one of their biggest advocates. She hopes by encouraging mentorship and empowering spouses, they will recognize how their gifts are important to the military spouse community.

Listeners, if you would like to learn more about Military Hearts Matter and Holly, check out her website here or connect with her on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube.

Empowerment Minute with Brooklyn

As we embark on a New Year, remember that making New Year Resolutions can be hard. But with strength and courage, you can make your goals happen. E. E. Cummings is quoted saying “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” With the right amount of courage, we know that you can tackle whatever 2022 brings your way.

News 6 with Jolene

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of Jan. 24, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Army Launches Annual Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey

The Army launched its annual housing tenant satisfaction survey last week.

“‘By responding to the survey, every resident will have a voice in how the Army and its partners continue to maintain and improve the quality of our housing,’ said Lt. Gen. Jason Evans, Deputy Chief of Staff of G-9 which provides policies, programs, resources and expertise for services and installation infrastructure.”

The survey takes about 10 minutes and closes on February 24. If you did not receive a link to the survey, email: ArmyHousingSurvey@celassociates.com

BP/Amoco Fuel Offered at Fort Bragg Express Stores

Customers at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina will now have access to BP/Amoco fuel at all seven Express gas stations, announced AAFES. Over 180 of AAFES’ gas stations will be changing to TOP TIER certified branded fuel. The change is coming to improve the Exchange’s “already-secure supply chain, enhance the Exchange’s support of military communities, its services during emergencies and natural disasters.”

New Military Thriller Starring Jake Gyllenhaal

Military.com announced that actor Jake Gyllenhaal will be starring in a new “military thriller” that takes place during the Afghanistan War. Gyllenhaal will play the role of Sgt. John McKinley who serves in Afghanistan with a local interpreter who ends up saving his life during an ambush. McKinley later returns to Afghanistan on a solo rescue mission to save his interpreter and family.

You can check out more of this week’s top stories here.

Resource Recon with Chrissy and Amber

This week’s Resource recon is all about our latest Social Media Scoop. 

We recently posted a reel, aka a short fun video, on Instagram that seemed to resonate with a lot of our followers. It was about writing in our fresh new planners and hoping that the military wouldn’t change any of our plans. This is discussed so frequently! We have other reels and posts about always using a pencil, because with the military, nothing is for certain.

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda B.

Today we are showcasing Army Wife Network’s Platoon Member of the Month, which means someone who is positive and empowering on our social media. With that, we’d love to recognize Cynthia Gruver.

Cynthia shares a little bit about herself and her milspouse story. She states, “my husband and I have been together for 9 years. He was out of the Army when we met, but went back in a few years ago. We have three children total, as I have one from a previous relationship and he has two from a previous relationship.  I work in the medical field and love to help others. My passion is oncology. I am obsessed with all things Harry Potter, my house is Ravenclaw.  We currently live in Oklahoma and I honestly despise it. I miss living in a big city so much… I miss Target and Dunkin most of all! I am continuing my education here and would eventually like to run an oncology clinic for vets. I have a passion for helping those in need and try to volunteer and give as much as possible. I am so excited to have this recognition.”

Thank you so much again, Cynthia, for showing your amazing support for Army Wife Network and empowering other milspouses!

Thank You

Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode. Please leave a five-star rating and review on Apple podcasts, then send us a screenshot of your review to info@armywifenetwork.com or DM us on Facebook or Instagram @armywifenetwork to receive a special in-real-life gift as a thank you on behalf of AWN. We appreciate your engagement and support.

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