On July 25, 1792, the Prussian, Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, issued an ill-timed and uninspired warning to Revolutionary France. Known as ‘Brunswick Manifesto’, it threatened the Parisians with reprisals if the French King was harmed.
Unfortunately for spunky ol’ Charlie Brunswick, the French of the 18th century had not yet fully acquired the fear of the Germans.
Teresa Grace’s story begins in earnest the recounting of the experiences of military men and women transforming their service in the armed forces into civilian life. Military Success Network (MilSuccessNet) profiles present people in transition. The generosity in sharing their experiences in guest blog posts and interviews, allow us all to learn from their challenges and to be inspired by their successes. We’ll also explore the personal and public resources that support their process.
Teresa Grace now resides at Fort Hood, Texas as an Army wife and mother. Photo provided
Today’s 3rd (and longest) of the 4 posts is based on interviews with Teresa Grace (nee Broadwell) and Helena Kaufman in January of 2012. It covers:
Life as Teresa Grace knew it radically changed when she enlisted in the Army. She chose this path not long after graduating high school in Lewisville, Texas, instead of the modern-dance scholarship offered her to the University of North Texas.
As London’s turn at hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics is set to begin, we remember one of the greatest of sport’s inspirational stories-a time when “1” meant “10”.
Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci in a practice session for an appearance at the Hartford Civic Center. Photo credit: Dave Gilbert/image originally posted to Flickr by eye2eye.
It all happened on July 18, 1976, in Montreal, Canada.
A shy 14-year old girl from Romania had just completed her uneven bar exercise. Her flawless performance revealed the limits of the day’s electronic scoreboards when the judges awarded her “the first perfect 10.00” in the history of gymnastics. [Read more…]
DC Seal
On July 16, 1790, George Washington signed into law the Residence Act, effectively laying the foundations of our nation’s capital. The Founding Fathers inserted a provision into the Constitution granting Congress the power to establish a federal district “not exceeding ten miles square” in order to house the Government of the United States.
“I give mad credit to women in the military who are mothers,” said Teresa Grace.
As our interview continued, Grace reflected on the fine balance that must be maintained to fulfill military duties and the daily details of family life.” [Read more…]
I had the privilege of talking with Teresa Broadwell Grace, a former member of the Army’s 194th Military Police Company who, in 2003 was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor in Iraq.
A female American soldier mans a machine gun on a vehicle during clashes in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in June 2003. The war in Iraq, which has killed or wounded more U.S. women in combat than any other conflict, has redefined their role in the military and triggered a rethink of their place on the front line. Women who serve in the Army are barred from engaging in combat under rules drawn up by the Pentagon. But the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, where fighting an insurgency and no front line exists as such, have been proving grounds for the women soldiers. Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense”
Combat, an outstanding story of survival, management of post traumatic stress and an unexpected transition back into the civilian world are part of Teresa Grace’s story. All this as she began her third decade of life. [Read more…]
Vasco_da_Gama as elder and Viceroy of India
Vasco da Gama sailed into history on July 8, 1497.
With a fleet of four caravels, he became the first European to reach India by sea. He made use of the prevailing winds by sailing south in a zigzag pattern away from the African coast then veering off to the east past the Cape.
The Portuguese navigator reached the Indian coast, at Calicut in May 1498.
This voyage established one of the most lucrative trade routes at the time, controlled entirely by the tiny nation of Portugal. [Read more…]
The iconic 4th of July represents dreams, hopes and possibilities, all founded on American ideals for many around the globe. Even when experienced only from afar through movies, books, song and poetry they are vivid and enticing. For Americans, the date celebrates the constitutional change that created the national country and identity. [Read more…]
Military Success Network guest author Phyllis Zimbler Miller
Military life develops many life and operational skills. The transition from military to fulltime civilian family life combined with potential new occupations and daily community participation brings with it opportunities and challenges. Awareness, preparation and specific supports help military men and women return to civilian life. For starters, it requires an open mindset.
Military Success Network begins the guest posts from “people who have been there” and done and learned “that”. Posts and articles will cover the process and the people and resources to boost success for those in transitions. What’s YOUR story? Do you see your self in this one? [Read more…]