Did you check out the summer class brochure from Ventura College which arrived in the mail recently? The brochure, the Kaleidoscope, is full of community education classes, many of which are a one-day seminar or only four sessions.

Now why am I blogging about these classes? Because of one phrase on the cover of the Kaleidoscope that caught my eye - Military Appreciation Grants. These grants provide one free course for active duty military, veterans AND their families! Yes, dependents of military, both active duty and veterans can attend one course free!

I called the Community Education Department to register for my free class and had the opportunity to speak with Karen Gorbeck, Assistant Dean for Community Education. When I mentioned I was calling to inquire about the Military Appreciation Grant her voice burst with excitement. She is personally and professionally thrilled to offer these free courses to the military community.

If you are interested in learning more contact the Community Educaton office at 654-6459. If you did not receive a Kaleidoscope in the mail you can pick one up at the college or the FFSC.

Courses include ballroom dancing (that's a hint, honey), gardening, grant writing, music as well as business & finance courses, website development and much, much more. It is hard to choose just one class! There are so many interesting classes for both career development (Home-Business Laws You Need to Know,Become an Event/Wedding Planner, Become a Notary, or a Certified Loan Signing Agent), Professional training (Microsoft Excel, Access and Word, Quickbooks and more), as well as personal interest such as Ball Room Dancing (another hint).

Ventura College has several campuses offering classes. To verify our status as military we must register in person at 71 Day Road in Ventura. Note, there are a few restrictions such as online classes and children's programs are not eligible under the grant program. Also, some classes require purchase of course materials which are not covered by the grant.

I think I may have my husband talked into the Ballroom Dance class...if not I'm taking the website development class (have you checked out my websites lately - www.homefrontinfocus.com and www.operationhoneymoon.org...yup, need improvement).

Did you know about the Military Appreciation Grant? Did you check out the great programs they have for kids this summer (like Millionaire Camp)? Have you taken any of the community education classes - can you recommend a favorite (like ballroom dancing)? Check it out and don't forget to speak your mind!

When I was a child my small, western Pennsylvania town held a parade each Memorial Day. The local high school band marched, vintage cars cruised the parade route. Youngsters (me included) decorated our bikes with streamers and flags for the parade. And veterans, some still able to wear their service uniform, marched; each carrying the flag they fought to defend. My grandfather and father were among them.

The parade route ended at the only cemetary in town next to the Catholic Church. Following a brief ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and veterans placed a new flag and flowers or wreaths on each grave.

Sadly my hometown discontinued that tradition many years ago.

Yesterday my husband and I attended the meaningful Memorial Day Service at the American Legion in Oxnard. LtCdr James Watts, commanding officer of NMCB40 was the keynote speaker. LtCdr Watts spoke of the impact veterans of the local American Legion post have had on him personally and his observance of Memorial Day.

I was impacted by many things at this service. Mrs. Joyce Sihler, the Gold Star Wife, clutched the picture of her deceased husband as she told us with great conviction that her husband would not have changed a thing. There were a number of veterans in attendance but one in particular moved me. An older gentleman, advanced in age and frailed by time, he required assistance to stand and be recognized as a WWII vet. During the singing of God Bless the USA this vet stood with us, waving the flag he defended so many years ago. I fought tears as he did.

But Memorial Day, though often confused, is not about the veteran's living today. It is about those who died in defense of their country or as a result of such service. It is a day to remember and reflect on the sacrifice made by those who 'made their breast a barricade between country and its foes.'

As LtCdr Watts noted, "Memorial Day is not about motor sports, picnics, fishing and a three-day weekend." He also noted that if we don't talk to the veteran's, determining to learn their experience, their story we miss the important part of Memorial Day, and an important part of what has made this nation and the generations before us great.

As I looked around it occurred to me that at least two generations were missing at this service...my generation and the one following me. How will we retain the knowledge of the price of our prosperity and comfort? How can we insure that we learn all we can from the quickly-disappearing 'greatest generation'; World War II vets? How will we honor those who have fallen in our current conflict? How will we properly honor the fallen if we do not understand them, value them and their efforts, their mission and their sacrifice?

I have what my Sailor and I refer to as our 'furry child'. Caleb is my precocious cocker spaniel. He is my baby. Like most cockers he needs to be needed, he needs to be the center of my universe, and at age 14 he is still 'feeling his wheaties.' And I need him! Caleb gets me through deployment. He never leaves my side, he sleeps with me and, on those blue days of deployment, he keeps me going. Ok, and like all furry children - he makes me crazy.

Caleb is feeling his age. He is slowing down, he is playing less and our walks are getting shorter. But recently his decline has been more pronounced. We took him to a civilian vet who prescribed medication stating, "If this doesn't cure him we'll know he has cancer." I was crushed.

Well, the medication improved Caleb's symptoms but caused extreme stomach upset and Caleb seemed to be deteriorating in other areas. Caleb developed yet another ear infection during this period. My husband suggested I take Caleb to the base vet. To be honest we thought we would soon be discussing 'doing the right thing' for Caleb.

NBVC was without a vet for a while but their new one is top-notch! Dr. Michael Staitman, a civilian and experienced diagnostician, reviewed Caleb's medical record and said, "Let's run a few tests before we proceed."

To make a long story short Dr. Staitman connected the dots between Caleb's lethargy, chronic ear infections and other symptoms as part of a broad root condition; his malfunctioning thyroid. Who knew? With a small pill twice per day my precocious cocker is back to being a pain in the neck - I mean back to his fun, playful, loving, furry ball of love.

My point is I've not often utilized the base veterinarian services. I'm now sold on them! Congress mandates a $2 user fee and other services are at cost. What a deal for outstanding vet care for my baby.

I know I'm not the only 'mommy' to a furry kid. Did you know about base vet services? Have you used them? Sound off!