Each day 22 veterans lose their lives to suicide. That’s one veteran every 65 minutes. Paulette Fryar and the other branch winners from the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year created the Million Mile Project to bring awareness to suicide prevention.

The Million Mile Project is a way for people to come together and do something even in times when you feel helpless. This project shines a light on mental health and encourages people to get outside and be active. Especially during a global pandemic, Paulette reminds people that your mental health matters.

Paulette is a military wife and mother of 4 grown boys. Now that she is an empty nester, she is driven to help support and mentor the next generation of Military Spouses…through mentoring for Military Mothers of Preschoolers International (known as MOPS) and also through various military spouse all rank, all branch groups. Connection and support is her goal!

Days after being named the Military Spouse of the year, her family was touched by PTSD related suicide and she was inspired to create the Million Mile Project to bring more awareness to Veteran and Military PTSD, and support Suicide Prevention.

#TogetherWeAreStronger is her favorite hashtag-and she loves to bring people together so that no one faces the adversity of Military life alone.

Listeners, if you would like to connect with Paulette on social media via Facebook or Instagram. You can also check out more about Paulette and other Military Spouses of the Year here. You can also find the Million Mile Project Facebook group here.

Don’t forget one lucky listen will get the chance to win a Million Mile Project tee shirt. For a chance to win, simply like, comment, or share any social media post sharing this podcast. We will randomly choose one winner one week after this podcast airs. 

News 6 with Jolene

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of Dec. 13, 2021, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Couple Married for 77 Years Gets Long-Awaited Wedding Photos

After 77 years of marriage, Royce and Frankie King celebrated their anniversary with wedding photos they never got to take. Today reported that “There was no time to get a photographer or even a wedding gown . . . when they got married on [Royce’s] whirlwind, two-day leave in 1944 before he went overseas to fight in World War II.” Royce, 98 years old, served in the Air Force and wore his uniform for their impromptu anniversary celebration.

Office Cubicle Turned into Life-Sized Gingerbread House

Monika Orrey was a new employee when her company announced a workspace competition. She began collecting cardboard and designing her festive entry: a life-sized gingerbread house. “I consider myself very festive, or as my daughter would say, I am ‘extra!’” she told Good News Network. Monika won the competition, but she also said it helped her break the ice with her coworkers.

Need Last-Minute Gift Ideas?

Do you still have some shopping to finish for those who made your “nice” list? I do. I thought I might not be alone, so I compiled a few links with gift ideas just for you. Here are some last-minute gift lists compiled by other sources:

* NBC News

* Cheapism