You can listen to the full radio segment with Fred and Ron Morris on The American Entrepreneur website.

http://taeradio.co/v2ARUz

Attribution: Courtesy of The American Entrepreneur © 2011 

Wilmington, N.C. – Though we market on a national level, our local and regional presence and base of business is very important to us, too.

Just a quick note to let you know that The Queensboro Shirt Company will be participating in the following regional trade shows and conferences over the coming months:

Business-2-Business Expo

Sponsored by the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

Coastline Convention Center, Wilmington, NC

July 21, 2011 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)

Show Details.

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Welcome Show – North Carolina Hospitality Expo

Wilmington Convention Center, Wilmington, NC

September  15 and 16, 2011 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Show Details.

Wilmington, N.C. – Summercamps.com offers some great tips on the decision about whether to send your children to camp this summer.

In these tough economic times, many parents are assessing the situation more closely than ever before.

They suggest that parents consider these three things when making their decision:

1. Camp costs versus child care costs: 

Summer camp is great for families where both parents work. These families can know their child is being taken care, is safe and having a good time while they wait for school to start. It’s suggested that when you think about whether or not you can afford summer camp this year,  take into consideration how much child care will cost for the same amount of time.

Summer camps usually provide meals as well as entertainment 24 hours a day, seven days a week for each week your child attends. If you paid a babysitter the current minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour to babysit your child the same amount of time, the cost would be $1,218 per week. When you compare the two choices, paying $600 a week for summer camp can be a much better deal.

2. Whether summer camp tuition is tax deductible:

The answer depends on your family. There is a child care credit available to two-earner families or those with single parents. Up to 20 percent may be possible if sending your child to day camp would allow both parents or a single parent to continue working. (Overnight camping would not be included.)

3. Investment in your child’s future:

It’s also suggested that you think of the benefits of allowing your child to attend summer camp. You could be investing in their future particularly, if they attend an academic or technology summer camp. Attending these and other types of summer camp could provide them with opportunities to learn and network with people with similar interests. Depending upon their age and interests, the friendships they make during summer camp can benefit them for years to come.

These days there are so many types of camps available – including drama, art, science, transportation,  digital media, and even “secret agent” camps.

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The Queensboro Storefront Program

At Queensboro, this year we’ve begun to offer a new service to camps of all kinds to help “outfit” kids for summer camping. Need to order low-cost, but high-quality t shirts for children of all ages? Want to offer other types of apparel with your camp logo on it? Or how about cups or cushions?

Queensboro’s Online Storefront Program enables you to have a web site where the parents of campers can come online and order any type of item that we sell – but with your logo on it.  It’s a way for you to make purchasing convenient for parents. And we make it easy for you by setting up the whole site free of charge. For more details, visit MyCustomEStore.

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Logo Products: Perfect for Summer Kids Events — and Summer Camp

Here are some items that Queensboro carries which are ideal for day camps or vacation Bible school, or any other type of summer event for children of all ages, including teens. These products also” fit the bill” for pool and racquet clubs, YMCAs, day care providers, school sponsored camps, and community centers.

Summer Youth Apparel

- Augusta Youth Performance Tee

- Classic Youth Tee

- Toddler Tee

- Anvil Youth Baseball Tee

- Sport-Tek Youth Mesh Shorts

- Stormtech Packable Rain Poncho

Summer Camp Logo Accessories

- Drawstring Backpack – in eight bright colors

- 16 oz. Plastic Stadium Cups

- EZ Squeeze Sports Bottle

- Pocket Flashlight

- Cooler Bag

- Port Authority Stadium Seat (Camp Cushion)

(Note: All of these prices include logo set up. )

Wilmington, N.C. – Whether it’s logo tees, logo polos, or some other piece of sportswear, you can learn how to stay cool this summer by learning more about the new “performance” fabrics.

Here at Queensboro, we’d like to provide you with information about these fabrics (online and via our customer service staff), and offer the latest performance fashions to you – which make use of new state-of-the-art weather and moisture management technologies and materials.

Picture This Hot Scene!

The day is gorgeous and you’re just teeing up on #3. The sun is beating down hard.  And…  already, you’re drenched and dripping with sweat! Yuk! Golf is fun, but staying dry and cool during summer play is often a challenge, and can wreak havoc on your score.

The same holds true in the gym, on the tennis court,  or when you’re out and about doing errands or walking back and forth to work. Worrying about your clothes rather than the activity at hand is just plain distracting.

During these summer months, how do you stay cool, calm and collected, and look good at the same time? And how can you prevent all that sweat from affecting your game, and your life?

Who knows, the love of your life could appear while you’re in that sweaty shirt : )

So you see, once just for runners and cyclists and sports fanatics, performance items are breaking out into the mainstream now –  for these reasons and more.

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A Performance Primer

Here’s a quick definition of “performance” = Fabrics made for a wide variety of uses, which provide functional qualities, such as moisture management, UV protection, anti-microbial, thermo-regulation, water resistance, and wind resistance.

And here are some related terms:

- Quick-Dry – a high activity sportswear fabric that absorbs, wicks and dries fater than average sportswear, or golf wear.

- Microfiber – fabric that is tightly woven from a very fine poly thread and has a sueded finish for a luxurious, soft feel. Microfiber fabric is naturally water repellent due to its construction process and when specially treated can also be waterproof. (Some folks call this feature “moisture-wicking”.)

(Both of these terms can be found in the Queensboro Glossary. )

How do they work? These newly-engineered fabrics move moisture away from your skin and isolate it on the outer surface so the moisture can evaporate. No more feeling like your shirt is glued to your body! No more embarrassment. No more wondering if you could have shot a stronger game if you had been cooler and drier.

There are indeed psychological benefits to wearing the new performance fabrics: keeping a lower skin temperature, reduced perceived physical exertion during exercise, and the increased ability to keep your focus on your game – rather than feeling and looking wet.

The new performance fabrics also:

- Go through the laundry well and last longer due to their construction. (Likewise, the underarm material won’t discolor because of your perspiration.)

- Can be used all throughout the year. For example, in winter months, performance apparel can be layered under your outerwear.

- Are perfect for traveling since they are virtually wrinkle free, and resist piling.

And perhaps best of all, performance fabrics virtually neutralize odor so you won’t be stinky!

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Queensboro Cares About Your Comfort Index

Here at Queensboro Shirt Company, we carry a wide variety of performance apparel to meet your needs – from tee shirts, to polos, to outerwear, to caps.  (Refer to the “Performance” category of the Queenbsoro web site to get an idea of the various options you have.)

Also be aware that different manufacturers call their performance material by various names.

Here are some of the common brand names we carry:

Queensboro – We call our signature performance fabric “CoolDry.” For example, check out the Queensboro CoolDry Performance Tee.

Nike – Nike calls their performance fabric “Dri-FIT”.  For example, check out the Nike Golf Dri-FIT Herringbone Polo.

Adidas – At Adidas, basically the same materail is called “ClimaLite.” For example, check out the Adidas Golf Women’s ClimaLite Pique Polo.

And of course, the difference at Queensboro is that you can put your logo on any of these fine pieces of apparel – with only a low four-piece minimum order.

Wilmington, N.C. – As one of the leading Internet-based custom logo apparel companies among small to medium- sized businesses, we’re proud to provide you with something no other company in the industry does.

In addition to our excellent, bend-over-backwards customer service, we offer a 10-Year, Unconditional Guarantee on ALL the custom apparel we sell.

Since 1982, Queensboro has been known for our high-quality custom embroidered and digitally printed t-shirts, collared shirts, hats and other apparel items. And we’re willing to stand by our products.

“We mean it when we say that every single customer is entitled to this guarantee on every single order. Our products are guaranteed to last for ten years, and if for some reason a customer is unsatisfied, they can either exchange the unwanted item or return it for a full refund,” said Fred Meyers, founder and president of Queensboro Shirt Company.

“None of our competitors offer this kind

of iron-clad promise,” he added.

Queensboro Shirt Company started the guarantee years ago, but is reintroducing its promise now, as more and more companies bounce back from the slowed economy of the previous year and place orders for corporate apparel.

The company already has over 50,000 loyal customers, mostly small businesses (business owners and entrepreneurs) and the Sales and Promotion departments of larger corporations and organizations.

“Most of our customers don’t need to place an order for thirty, or even ten shirts at a time, which is a typical, minimum quantity required by our competitors. We take orders for as few as four items, without increasing the price or sacrificing quality. This is the reason our customers prefer Queensboro,”  Meyers said.

“Customers can shop Queensboro with confidence, knowing that we are assuming all the risk.”

Shop for 100s of custom logo apparel item now – Be assured that you are backed by Queensboro’s Ten-Year Unconditional Guarantee.

And, nearly all of us have heard of the infamous T Shirt that reads something like: ‘My mother went to Hawaii and all I got back was this lousy T shirt!”

Let Your Creative Juices Flow

Well… NOW that whole picture has been turned upside down! The whole nature of the old fashioned postcard has been given new life!

Announcing… the ZapTee postcard (a.k.a. the “Modern postcard”).

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Wish You Were Here

Have you taken a great photo on your trip? Want to share it? Or, has someone seen a picture you’ve sent them, and loved it?

ZapTee allows anyone to go to the web site – www.ZapTee.com – or use the ZapTee IPhone app – to put a photograph on a T shirt, to add a message of any kind, and then mail it — all for just $10.00, including shipping (to one address.) That’s the total price.

(Note: The ZapTee app also works on the IPad.)

In many cases, the modern ZapTee postcard you create will arrive in your recipients’ hands – before you even return. And they can wear it for years to come. (You can also elect to send your newly-created photo T shirt back to your house, as well.)

There are as many fun and funky uses for ZapTee as there are starfish on the ocean floor. So, let your creative juices flow!

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Other Quick ZapTee Gift Ideas:

1. Take a photo that your mom or dad will love (maybe one with the whole family pictured) and create a T shirt for a special personal or family occasion. A 50th anniversary? A welcome home T shirt for someone in the military?

2. Take a photo at an upcoming graduation or at a wedding, and immediately make a T shirt from it.  Send one to everyone at the party. Or, snap a photo of a special page from a scrapbook and make a shirt from it.

3. Or along a whole different vein… Why not take a picture of your tattoo and put it on a T Shirt – with some funky saying?

The possibilities with ZapTee are endless.

The list goes on and on…

Share your T shirt creations with everyone.

Post your  ZapTee ideas on this blog, or post your ZapTee photos on the Queensboro Facebook page. On April 19, we just announced the winners of the first ZapTee Contest on Facebook. You’ll find more photos of ZapTees there.

At Queensboro, we’re pleased to be actively involved in helping family members (and class reunion organizers) in developing a logo for their reunion apparel, and then selecting the right piece of clothing – at a price that fits their reunion budget. We also offer “hardgood” items with logos on them — such as notebooks, mugs, folding chairs, stadium seats, etc.

Sometimes, people are looking for a Family Reunion logo cap or polo shirt … or a T shirt or lightweight jacket for a Class Reunion. Or, they might wish to get some type of reunion memento (perhaps a flashlight, a koozie, or duffel bag, for example) for each person attending.

Some reunions create “goody bags” – filled with family souvenirs, pictures and trinkets.

Here are some reunion trends and tips to keep in mind.

Is your Family Reunion Typical?

In the summer of 2009, Juyeon Yun of Purdue University conducted a study of family reunion planners, surveying 4,000 readers of  Reunions magazine.

Here are some of the findings about reunions:

- Size: The size of the family reunions ranged from very small (1-25 persons) to over 200.

35.1% of respondents had reunions of 51-100 in attendance. Over 18% had 26-50 and 11% were 101-500. Significantly almost 20% of respondents had reunions of 200 attendees or larger. The largest reported reunion in the survey was a class reunion of 1,000 attendees.

- Length of Planning Period: Sixty eight percent (68%) started planning their reunions one year or longer ahead of the event, including 21% who started two years in advance.

Establishing a reunion date is crucial before most other decisions are made. The further ahead this and the decision about where to have their reunion, the greater their chances are to 1) get exactly what and where they want it and 2) to negotiate better deals. They found that over 22% set the date two years in advance while over 50% set the date by one year ahead of the reunion.

- Length of Actual Reunion: The length of each reunion is arbitrarily set but more and more reunions are longer than a Sunday afternoon picnic in the park. Of the respondents, 46% reported their reunion lasts three days, while almost 20% meet for two days. Only 16% of respondents were meeting for the first time, while 84% of the reunions have met before. The “age” of many family reunions were impressive numbers in the 30, 40 and 50 year range but the longest reunion had been going on for 125 years. While that is not a record, it is a testament to a strong and caring family.

- Location of Family Reunion: The kind of location reunion planners choose are all over the map (both literally and figuratively). Urban and suburban locations account for 52% of all responses followed closely by 20% at rural locations. Other locations include the beach (17.5%), mountains (10.3%), theme parks (11.3%) and cruises (almost 14%). Still a popular location by comparison is someone’s backyard or “the old home place” – which garnered over 10%.

- Family Reunion Budgets: Another aspect to the survey was to determine how much was spent on reunions but this is an inaccurate science in part because many people do not keep track of everything they spend. Here, however, are the results:

The largest number of reunions (over 36%) estimated that their reunions cost from $1000 to $4999. Almost 19% spent from $5,000 to $9,999 while 15% reported paying $501 to $999. The variable effecting these answers is that most (over 57%) reunions charge for activities and meals and everyone pays their own lodging costs. 32% reported totaling all costs and dividing by the number present. Fundraising activities were the source of income for 24% , potluck for just over 10% and 5.6% had benefactors who paid or helped pay for the reunion.

Fees are by far the largest source of income, with 68.4% of reunions reporting using this method. Other sources include donations (45.5%), raffles (25.7%), souvenir sales (15.5%).

- Services and Products Purchased for Reunions: Some reunions are self contained and do everything themselves but many others contract for a variety of services.

The services reunions contract are catering (69.1%), professional photography (47.4%) and videography (21.1%), tours (26.3%), buses (23%), florists (10.5%) and professional planners (5.9%).

The products being bought for reunions include:  t-shirts/caps (78.4%), prizes (61.7%), buttons (11.4%) 21.3% of reunions do custom publishing projects. These include membership directories (33.9%), postcards for reminders (23.7%), invitations and RSVPs (25.4%), cookbooks (23.7%), memory books (20.3%), family history (17%) and newsletters (22%).

In general, the survey found that reunion organizers are “a passionate group who are dedicated to their families and reunion groups, and  are from all areas and segments of society. Their single similarity is their concern for keeping their families in touch and connected.”

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The Queensboro Shirt Company offers ideas for your logo for your reunion, and can work with you to either create or revise your logo. Here is a Queensboro Reunion web page – with many of the designs that we’ve developed in the past.

This reference web page will give you ideas to move forward confidently with your reunion.  (To the right, for example, is one of the logos created for a family reunion.)

A Great Reunion Idea!

One of the latest trends sweeping the country is being able to download pictures and create a T-shirt (with a message above or below it) – on the fly, either online or on your IPhone or IPad. Why not create a T-shirt for your family or class reunion this summer, usually a photo? To do this, try the new ZapTee from Queensboro.

For more Reunion ideas, also refer to this blog entry.

The word “RETRO” is French for rétrospectif  (retrospective). Merriam-Webster.com defines the word as “relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past, as in a retro look.” It word was first used in
1974.

Get in that RETRO Mood!

Today, The Queensboro Facebook Community (a.k.a. The Royal Family) is going RETRO. We’re hosting a Caption Contest. Participate now and win a Queensboro prize.

Where Were You?

For a look back, here are some of the headlines of the 1980′s.

News

The Marriage of the Decade – In 1981, the royal wedding took place at Buckingham Palace in London, England.  Prince Charles married a kindergarten teacher named Diana Spencer.  This woman was very lucky to have all of those people watching her get married. It was an unbelievable sight at the palace. The queen had a new daughter-in-law, Princess Diana.

The First Woman In Supreme Court – July 7, 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’ Connor for the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Whale of a Tale – In 1988, pilots flying over the Arctic spotted two whales trapped inside the ice. They made great effort to set the poor whales free. In their great effort they managed to set one of them free. Needless to say, the other whale died in the massive clump of ice.

Phenomenal Planet Photos – In July of 1981 the spaceship, Voyager 2, blasted off. It managed to capture the true beauty of Saturn’s rings. The pictures came back to the station and everyone was amazed. Later new pictures came back. They were of Neptune, and what great pictures they were!

“At First Flight”- A very interesting thing happened within the year of 1981. A solar plane took flight in the wild blue yonder. It’s harder than you think to fly a solar powered plane. You have to make sure you are in good sight of the sun. If a cloud passes over the sun for a instant, your plane will be hitting the ground before you can say, “Kalamazoo.” Well anyway a man challenged himself to fly one. He ended up flying for 5 hours and 22 minutes.

Sports

The Major League strike- In June, 1981, all major league baseball players went on strike.  No games were played until August 1, 1981.

The “Big Shot” of the NBA- We all know that Michael Jordan is one of the best players in the history of basketball. Big surprise, in both 1988 and 1987 Michael Jordan was the NBA basket scoring leader. He also averaged the most points out of any player in the whole league. You thought he was great, well now you see he is even greater than you expected.

It’s a bird, a plane; no it’s Flo Jo! – During the Summer Olympics millions of viewers watched as Florence Joyner, Flo Jo, speeded across the finish line. She set a world record of 10:49 seconds in the 100 meter dash!

Entertainment

The First 3-D Puzzle- In 1981, Erno Rubik invented a difficult puzzle.  It was a cube made of 26 small colors that rotated.  The point was to unscramble the small colors until each of the sides were the same colors.  By July, 1981, over 10 million were sold.

“Moon Walker”- In 1984,  Michael Jackson received a Grammy.  As he walked out he made a wonderful, thank you speech.  He made a lot of people happy while making his speech.

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Be careful, though. Don’t look back too long, as the world’s moving faster than ever before and you’ll need all your attention to keep up, and lead the pack!

We Are Family, and Mother Earth Sustains Us

Making memories – and most importantly encouraging dreams – is what it’s all about. And, this year, if your mother is close at heart – but not close geographically – you can surely pass on the love you have for her to every mother you meet.

The Queensboro Shirt Company wishes all mothers a special day this Sunday, May 8, 2011.

Over the years, there have been hundreds of songs written about mothers.

Here is the Top 100 List, courtesy of DigitalDreamDoor.com :

1. Dear Mama – 2pac
2. Mother & Child Reunion – Paul Simon
3. Mother-In-Law – Ernie K-Doe
4. Mama Told Me (Not To Come) – Three Dog Night
5. Mama Said – Shirelles
6. Mama Tried – Merle Haggard
7. Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean – Ruth Brown
8. Your Mama Don’t Dance – Loggins & Messina
9. Mama Don’t Allow – Hank Thompson
10. Mothers Little Helper – Rolling Stones

11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Jimmy Boyd
12. My Mammy – Al Jolson
13. Tell Mama – Etta James
14. Have You Seen Your Mother Baby Standing In The Shadows – Rolling Stones
15. Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J
16. Mom and Dad’s Waltz – Lefty Frizzell
17. It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – Bob Dylan
18. I’ll Always Love My Mama – Intruders
19. Mama He’s Crazy – Judds
20. Mother – John Lennon
21. My Yiddishe Momme – Sophie Tucker
22. Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys – Waylon & Willie
23. Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Slade
24. Mama Used To Say – Junior
25. Mother – Danzig
26. Mama Didn’t Lie – Jan Bradley
27. She’s A Bad Mama Jama – Carl Carlton
28. Mama Can’t Buy You Love – Elton John
29. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama – Mothers of Invention
30. Mama’s Pearl – Jackson Five
31. Mama Sang A Song – Bill Anderson
32. A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men
33. Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne

34. Mamma Mia – Abba
35. Mama I’m Coming Home – Ozzy Osbourne
36. Papa Loved Mama – Garth Brooks
37. Hello Mudduh Hello Fadduh – Allan Sherman
38. Mother Nature’s Son – Beatles
39. Mother – Pink Floyd
40. Sylvia’s Mother – Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
41. Mama – Spice Girls
42. Mama – Connie Francis
43. Mama Liked The Roses – Elvis Presley
44. Mama Kin – Aerosmith
45. Your Mother Should Know – Beatles
46. Mama’s Never Seen Those Eyes – Forester Sisters
47. Tie Your Mother Down – Queen
48. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature – Guess Who
49. Mama You’ve Been On My Mind – Bob Dylan
50. My Mother’s Eyes – George Jessel

51. When You’re Good To Mama – Mary McCarty
52. Mother Mother – Tracy Bonham
53. All Mama’s Children – Carl Perkins
54. Sexy Mama – Moments
55. Mother Popcorn – James Brown
56. Word To The Mutha – Bell Biv DeVoe
57. Does Your Mother Know – Abba
58. Look What They’ve Done To My Song Ma – New Seekers
59. Mama – Genesis
60. Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night – Kenny Dino
61. Ma-Ma-Ma Belle – ELO
62. Motorcycle Mama – Sailcat
63. Hey Lawdy Mama – Steppenwolf
64. Mother, Father – Journey
65. Does Your Mama Know About Me – Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers
66. Mama Look At Bubu – Harry Belafonte
67. Save It Pretty Mama – Louis Armstrong
68. Mama Come Get Your Baby Boy – Eddy Arnold
69. Crazy Mama – JJ Cale
70. This Is To Mother You – Sinead O’Connor
71. Look Mama – Howard Jones
72. Drop Down Mama – Sleepy John Estes
73. Mama and Daddy Broke My Heart – Eddy Arnold
74. Mother Freedom – Bread
75. Mama – BJ Thomas
76. Future Baby Mama – Prince
77. I Wanna Be Mama’d – Jimmy Logsdon
78. Mommy For A Day – Kitty Wells
79. Welfare Mothers – Neil Young
80. Mother – Police
81. Mother’s Pride – George Michael
82. Mothers Talk – Tears For Fears

83. Holy Mother – Eric Clapton & Luciano Pavarotti
84. Mother Earth – Neil Young
85. Shake What Ya Mamma Gave Ya – Poison Clan
86. That Was Your Mother – Paul Simon
87. Deep In the Motherlode – Genesis
88. I Think I’m a Mother – PJ Harvey
89. (You Make Me Want To Be) A Mother – Tammy Wynette
90. Motorcycle Mama – Neil Young
91. Sophisticated Mama – Washboard Sam
92. Motherly Love – The Mothers of Invention
93. Only Mama Knows – Paul McCartney
94. Mama You Sweet – Lucinda Williams
95. Hoochie Mama – 2 Live Crew
96. Father Mother Son – The Scream
97. Your Mama’s On Crack Rock – The Dogs
98. So Long Mom – Tom Lehrer
99. Mother of the Bride – Billy Bragg
100. Some Mother’s Son – Kinks

Keep singing!

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Mothers Day Gift Ideas – If you’re musically-inclined, why not burn a CD of special songs for your mother this year? You know what she likes!

We offer a number of logo fashions for women. Check out our selection of women’s polos, women’s tees, caps, and jackets at Queensboro.com today.

United States citizens have set this day aside to  acknowledge the huge sacrifices and contributions of all of the spouses (and significant others) of U.S. soldiers – whether men or women.

Military Spouse Day has been observed since May 23, 1984, when a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan recognized the profound importance of spouse commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members. At that time, the U..S Secretary of Defense standardized the date – by officially declaring the Friday proceeding Mother’s Day as “Military Spouse Day.”

Each year, the U.S. President normally commemorates this day with a ceremonial speech and proclamation.

Michelle Obama Recently in N.C. at Camp LeJeune

On April 13, 2011, First lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden (the wife of Vice President Joe Biden) visited Camp LeJeune as part of a 2-day tour of military communities – to highlight the work of nonprofit organizations and businesses that support service member families.

They spoke to 3,000 Marines, soldiers, sailors, and military family members from Camp Lejeune, and also attended a unit-wide baby shower for 40 pregnant wives of service members. From there, they took their military spouse tribute from North Carolin on to Texas, Colorado and Ohio.

It’s Debatable Whether the T.V. show “Army Wives” is Realistic

Most everyone has heard of the hit TV series, Army Wives.  It’s just been renewed on Lifetime for its sixth season, and is a lot of fun.

The fifth season, premiered Sunday, March 6 with 13 all-new episodes. The show follows the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women — and one man — living with their spouses and families on an active Army post.

The series films in Charleston, South Carolina, and stars Kim Delaney (Claudia Joy Holden), Sally Pressman (Roxy LeBlanc), Brigid Brannagh (Pamela Moran), Brian McNamara (Michael Holden), Sterling K. Brown (Roland Burton), Wendy Davis (Joan Burton), Drew Fuller (Trevor LeBlanc), Terry Serpico (Frank Sherwood) and Catherine Bell (Denise Sherwood).

The series is based on the book “Army Wives” by Tanya Biank, who serves as a show consultant. Mark Gordon is the Executive Producer.

Military Spouses Often Struggle with Education, and Career Development

A study on military spouses by the Rand Corporation, however, paints a slightly different picture of those who stay behind.

Highlights of their survey find that:

- Military wives are employed at lower rates and earn less than civilian wives, on average.
- Civilian wives with the same characteristics as military wives actually have better employment outcomes than the average civilian wife.
- The majority of military spouses believe that the military lifestyle — including frequent moves, deployments and long hours that keep service members from assisting with parenting, and living in areas with poor local labor market conditions — has negatively affected their employment opportunities. Almost half believe that their educational opportunities have suffered.
- Military spouses work for different reasons, based on their own education level, their service member’s pay grade, and their financial situation.

Find out more about Military Spouse scholarships and other educational benefits here.

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Camo is Cool!

Right now, save $25-50% on the Port Authority Waxed Cotton Cap with Camo Brim. It comes in four camouflage colors: Dark Tan Timber Camo, Dark Green Realtree Hardwoods Camo,  Brown Mossy Oak New Break-Up Camo, and Black Realtree Hardwoods Camo. Today, they are discounted to only $9.15 each, including your logo.