Blue Star Families: What is your life’s purpose?

My father enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1969, and his father was a combat medic in the Pacific during World War II. Like most from the greatest generation, my grandfather never spoke of what he saw while in the service, and neither did my father until later. What they did do, though, was work to instill the values of honor, commitment and compassion within their families.

What is your life’s purpose?

This was a question my father often posed while we were growing up. Though I didn’t join the military, volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program for nine years helped me define my life’s purpose. Through that opportunity, I found serving my community, along with military and Veteran families, to be my passion and my purpose.

What does it mean to be connected?

Trust, partnership and a sense of belonging all lead to feeling connected, and there is a direct correlation between connectedness and well-being. Those who interact more frequently with close contacts—whether in a virtual community or in person—report greater well-being than those who interact less regularly. The Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) found that three-quarters of active-duty family respondents (76%) reported engaging entirely or mostly virtually when considering their three closest relationships outside of their spouse or children and that most military families are getting their support from people who live far away from them. We also know that one of the greatest struggles Veterans face is regaining their sense of purpose after their military service.

That’s where the Blue Star Neighborhood comes in!

If you haven’t joined The Neighborhood yet, activate your account today! The Blue Star Neighborhood is the largest online community committed to bridging the military-civilian divide by fostering camaraderie, connection and support for military members, Veterans and their families. Whether you are looking for career support, travel tips or have questions about taxes, a community of people is waiting for you there!

Join the Volunteer Group in Blue Star Neighborhood

Volunteering is a huge part of Blue Star Families. We are grateful for each of our volunteers and know we couldn’t support our members without them. Many of our employees also volunteer with other organizations, and we are so thankful for their altruistic spirits. As the saying goes, we make time for the people (and things) that matter most to us, so if you’re looking for ways to stay connected after your military service, maybe becoming a Blue Star Volunteer is for you.

Together, let’s be the guiding light for the next generation, empowering them to dream big and showing them that they truly can accomplish anything they set their minds to. And if you’re still looking to figure out your life’s purpose, start a conversation in The Neighborhood; you never know who you might meet.

Welcome to the Blue Star Neighborhood: Learn More!