Customer Reviews

Heroes at Home: Help and Hope for America's Military Families

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been "married to the Marine Corps" for 12 yrs and still found this book to be helpful. At the time that I picked it up to read I was just getting used to having my husband home from a 9 1/2 mth deployment to the middle east and finding out that he is soon to go back. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Reading this book reminded me that I AM one of the "sisters" of military wives. I HAVE done this before and I HAVE and WILL survive. I really enjoy learning about how the other services do things because Marines do things in their own way. I found Mrs Kay's references to "the World's Greatest Fighter Pilot" highly amusing because I call my Marine "poster boy" because he looks just what you think a Marine would look like. I really didnt need some of the advise because I have been around the Corps a time or two, but it was the spirit in which it was given that I enjoyed. Reminding me to take a step back, thank God for the blessings I do have, and just doing what needs doing.
Personally I find other people's stories to be the greatest benefit to me. When I tell people about the time my husband was in Bosnia (and on a med float), I was working full time, had a sick baby, required to move MYSELF due to paperwork snafu's, my car breaking down (the BRAKES went out while driving!!!) being short on boxes, help and only having two weeks to do it all in, they can't help but to say Whoa! But at the time, I did not feel stressed, I just knew that stuff needed to be done and I was the only one here to do it, period. My moving helpers put things down where ever there was space so I ended up with tools on the stove and toys in the utility closet, but when it was all set up a few days later, I can honestly say it was the proudest moment in my life thus far.
Thank you to Mrs Kay for reminding me of what I HAVE done in order to show me that I CAN do this too!!

I purchased this book in preparation for my husband's upcoming deployment, looking for hope and inspiration to get through the year he is away. When I started reading, I related easily to the comical stories and I enjoyed reading the bios of real "Heroes." I thought that for sure I would recommend this book to family and friends. As I continued reading, my opinion of the book changed.

A large portion of the book is dedicated to financial advice, parenting advice and other off-topic advice. If I needed this sort of guidance, I would have purchased a book specifically on one of those subjects. I was expecting this to be a book on military matters, geared toward an intelligent and experienced audience. Advice on helping children cope with a parent's deployment would be very welcome, but I don't need to be told whether to exercise, how to manage my spending, or how much tv to allow my children to watch.

There was also much more personal information about the author than I was expecting. While I did enjoy the stories about family life, the author's awards and successes seemed to pop up in many of the chapters and really weren't relevant or valuable to the reader. Her continual reference to her husband as "The World's Greatest Fighter Pilot" didn't add much either. To her credit, she did include some humorous stories about mishaps which made her seem less superhuman.

She lists some pages of acronyms and some protocol, and there were a few tidbits of useful information, but most of the information should not be new to any but the most inexperienced of military wives, or civilians. If you already know what a commissary is and that things can be damaged during moves and that deployments can be extended, then you might want to look into a different book.

For an encouraging, humorous and emotional book on deployment, I highly recommend Email to the Front by Alesia Holliday. I am currently reading Surviving Deployment by Karen Pavlicin and find it practical and informative, and very well researched. If you need a reference on protocol and military functions, I would suggest Today's Military Wife by Lydia Sloan Cline and/or one of the Handbooks by Ann Crossley.

I received this book as a gift when my husband was recently deployed. I was left at home with a collicky 4 week old baby. Needless to say, I needed all the inspiration and support I could get. This book provided it! This book is very well written. Ellie Kay feels like a best friend holding your hand and helping you keep your chin up during the tough times. This book may not tell you the protocol of military life, but during a deployment, that is the last thing I was seeking. This book is a gem! It is the ideal read for someone going through the difficulty of seperation due to deployment. I thank God for Ellie Kay's words of comfort and wisdom!

This book was good and a fast read, however it was very biblically based and had many religious references. It didn't take away from the book, but is something for potential readers to be aware of. It is definitely a book to put your mind at ease if you're currently struggling with military life. It very much normalizes the thoughts and feelings military wives have, showing you you're not alone and can face what the military sends your way. If you're a new military wife looking for a lot information I'd recommend Today's Military Wife by Lydia Sloan Kline instead.

In January of 2003, my husband was notified that his National Guard ("one weekend a month") unit was being activated. The individuals in his unit were given less than 48 hours to report for duty with no prior notice that a deployment was coming. My two daughters and I kissed him goodbye less than a week later. His unit has been notified that their deployment will last 14-16 months. They are currently serving in Balad, Iraq. After my husband deployed, we were given this book as a gift. It was just what we needed (along with all the suggested "helps" that Ellie recommends military families need from their friends, churches, and communities). This is a wonderful resource for national guard families who have NO CLUE what to expect from life during a military deployment. Thank you Ellie!! I also had the privilege to hear Ellie speak at the 2003 MOPS International Leadership conference. GREAT information....Ellie's resources are really helpful for persons in my situation!

"Heroes at Home" is useful in that there is a wealth of information and practical tips for the new and (not so) old military spouse. It is inspiring in that there are examples of real women who have overcome the unique challenges that military dependents face. The humor with which the book is written makes for easy and enjoyable reading. Now, if I could only get Ellie Kay to come to my house to help me organize all those coupons...

Please Read this book. At a time when this nation is poised on the edge of war, it is critical to understand the needs of our military families. I am no longer a miliary wife, but I wish this book had been around for me. It is insightful and practical. If you have a neighboor, friend, relative, or just think you need to know more about this issue. Read THIS book! And then do something!

A fellow Air Force wife recently recommended your "Heroes at Home." I immediately ordered the book! Although I have been an Air Force wife for almost six years, I laughed and cried my way through this book. My husband is a pilot, too, and I could relate to many of the situations in this book. Ellie Kay has wonderful tips on surviving military life and being the one left at home to run the home front. Thank you for doing this book.

I loved this book. It's a contemporary look at the reality of today's military family. I think the people who should read it first are those who have no idea about the life those who serve in the military and their families live. The second group for which this should be required reading is the extended families of military members--it'll give them insight to support and understand. Military members and their families will recognize so much, like someone has been reading their mail! I hope it'll help them appreciate their own sacrifices more fully.

We're really lucky as a country to have anyone willing to give up so much that the rest of us take for granted.

Heroes at Home lets us inside and shoots down stereotypes.

Do you know someone serving in the military? Make sure you read this book and buy your friend a copy too! There is so much useful information to help any family dealing with the transitions of military life.

The author shows great ways to help a family who has a member serving somewhere away from home. One example is simply not forgetting to mail them cards or call them. Sometimes you get so busy with your own life you can forget that your friend may still be in need of those encouraging notes, visits and calls. The best advice given is being specific with your offer to help. Instead of just asking if they need anything, ask if the person needs you to come over so they can go get a hair cut or go shopping. Keeping the lines of communication open is the best way to help any family during these lonely times.

The author also explains to unfamiliar people the ins and outs of the military. She lists the many places military families can go for help in all different areas of their lives. It is an extremely helpful book and should be read from cover to cover by anyone close to a military family or anyone about to become a member of one.

I was given this book by christianreviewofbooks.com to review