The Military Brat Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on Another Reason to Be Proud

2010-03-03T18:19:25Z

Mary,
I just found your website, although I have had your book for years. I even bought it for my brothers and sister! Is this blog still working, there are no new comments since last year. Hoping to hear from you, Judy

Comment on The Past Revealed

2010-03-02T02:46:11Z

try www.abebooks.com

great site for used books, found 24 copies available on 3/1/10

Comment on Quest or Consequence

2010-02-18T12:30:15Z

It is easy to relate through the social lubricant of pain; people do this at bars and in dirty alleys each day and night. Whether comparing organ size, material sucess, succour or scars, pride plays an integral role here, regardless of the peripheral motive of "commonality". A perpetuation of the sick cycle that is government based and places gain and blood money over family is the only aim, however unintentional, that is met here. It is easy to try to wrap one's arms around another wounded animal or around the world for that matter; it is another thing to reach out to what lays right in front of you. The unconditional love and affection and forgiveness you failed to attain in your childhood that you now still dwell on and process will only overcast the emotive weatherfront of your child/childrens minds, if you have any. John lennon was a great artist who spoke for and helped many; but he, above all, in his first and foremost duties, failed as a substandard father.

Comment on The Past Revealed

2010-02-11T02:58:26Z

G'day Mary, Any guesses where this is coming from? Yup, Australia. Have come across this blog thanks to my sister mentioning that our lives have been indeed somewhat shaped by our Canadian Air Force bratdom. So typed it in as a syndrome and voila. It's exciting to see how contemporary some of the postings are. The first ones I read were from 2006. I could relate to Michael Flahtery (sic). I feel for us. My story of getaway and lack of commitment includes the death of my mother when I was 20. Boy did that retrigger the getaway impulse big time. And now I've lived a lifetime (28 years in July)in Australia away from every reminder of family. My comfort zone ever having been as the leave-er not the leave-ee. Finally I could admit this when my sister said she could hardly bear people leaving...she lives in Canada and has 2 daughters minus a happy, settled relationship. There is certainly a sense of grief attached to the lack of attachment but on the other hand spiritual teaching will indicate that PRIMARILY for a sense of peace one needs to establsh a sense of place between you and God before you can begin to love your neighbour or partner for that matter. I always appreciated Lily Tomlins observation: 'We're all in this together alone.' So I guess we all get handed experience to make us Let Go. And for us brats, you could say we were given quite a rich experience to do it. This feels like a bit of a scattered letter but rather than not actually send it, I will. I'd like to write to Michael sometime in understanding and comiseration. So hi to him if he's still looking in on your blog . All the Best,
Judy L.

Comment on The Past Revealed

2010-02-06T03:33:33Z

Thank you! It would be a useful book to read when you are studying how to counsel military families, I think. I'm glad you think so too. Military Brats is still in print. For the last several years, in fact, I have been the publisher. Sadly, I am not fond of running a business, so it has languished. I have not been marketing the book, although I do give talks, workshops, etc. The principal place to buy it is Amazon.com.

Comment on The Past Revealed

2010-02-06T02:58:32Z

Hello Mary - I got your book from the library and want to buy it. I'm taking a class through Columbia College, MO, "Counseling Military Families" and read your foreward. Is your book out of print? Where can I buy my own copy? I think this is a great book and am suprised I didn't hear about it through my FRG. I will spread the word. Thank you!

Comment on The Past Revealed

2010-01-05T21:24:25Z

hi Mary,

Very interesting blog. I came to it via a comment on my own blog. My book THE SOUVENIR: A Daughter Discovers Her Father's War chronicles my father's service in the Pacific War and my own journey to return a war souvenir to a Japanese soldier. Thanks for your good work! Louise

Comment on The Physics of Rootlessness

2009-12-31T04:10:04Z

Wow, okay, I read this and could not stop laughing. Believe me I feel the same way sometimes. I've lived in the same place (well same state) in the US for 9 years now and I'm often planning overseas vacations I can't afford to take... And the part about not wanting to keep the same identity! until I read that I never realized how nice that was, if you wanted to change who you were it was as simple as moving, because no one knows anything about you, you can reinvent yourself.

Comment on Invisible Tribe

2009-12-31T04:00:34Z

Mary, I am currently in a doctoral program for psychology. I am an Army brat and have recently read your book and Third Culture Kids as well. Both have had a profound and permanent effect on me. So many times the names could have been changed and it would be my story. I am 28, and so grew up in the military in a different time than many of the people in your book, but it seems that not much has changed. I also recently attended a meeting where an Airforce psychologist was attempting to recruit me and my fellow students as therapists. Of course as he went on and on about the ways in which military therapists help military personnel I asked "What about the families?" The answer I received was immensely disappointing. Apparently, the Air Force psychologists do not spend much time dealing with families of military members, unless of course it has to do directly with the member himself and whether or not he is 'fit to serve'. Clearly there is still a huge deficit in awareness about and services to meet the needs of military brats and spouses. I'm sorry this has gotten longer than I planned..I'm saying all this because my suggestion to get this message to therapists and get them to read the book would be to start with the Health Services departments in the military and also to get the book into university curriculums. I also am starting my dissertation topic and want it to be about some aspect of military brat life. Currently I am considering how being a military brat affects attachment, but I was hoping you had a suggestion or could tell me what was most needed?

thanks
Tiffany

Comment on Another Reason to Be Proud

2009-12-14T23:44:46Z

Hi everyone! My family is trying to raise money for the Wounded Veterans of America as well as show support to service men and women who are overseas this holiday. To do this, we are selling Commemorative Military Dog Tag Tree ornaments! These are replicas of official military issued dog tags, each of which is adorned with this inscribed message, "Remembering Our Troops This Holiday. 2009" They make the perfect addition to any holiday tree, as well as great stocking stuffers! Send them to your own service men and women who a currently overseas. Each ornament is just $3.00 (+S&H) and you have a choice of what color silencer to go with your dog tag ornament! We have Red, Blue, or Purple. For ordering info and to see pictures of the ornaments, email us at:oksean16@yahoo.com *THIS IS NOT A SPAM MESSAGE! I AM A VERY REAL PERSON WHO HAS A BROTHER IN Afghanistan AND WANTS TO SHOW SUPPORT!* Thank you and Happy Holidays!