OCS Connect > Events > Holidays in Uniform Recording
Event Chat Transcript
October 20, 2026 • Scroll below to read messages shared during the event.
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Attended OCS Lincoln NE....
Central NJ event
Online several times
Son graduated BCT Fort Sill 10/02
at Fort Hauchua AIT now
Online several times
Son graduated BCT Fort Sill 10/02
at Fort Hauchua AIT now
Blue Star Mom Bucks County
Soldier is in NM
Reacted to "Blue Star Mom Bucks County " with ❤️
Get ready to Deploy
Central Jersey event, son is three years in.
I have not attended an event, I found your video about preparing for leaving for bootcamp awhile back. My son is finishing up schooling. Heading to first duty station in next few weeks
Attended Eastern Iowa OCS, my son is in AIT week 5 of 16 of 68W Medic training at Fort Sam Houston.
My Son is out of HS in Military for 8 yrs
Welcome everyone!! If you have a question at anytime during our conversations feel free to type them in this chat. We are a bit shorthanded this evening, but we'll try our best to keep up!
Son is in basic training at Fort Benning
Soldier is PA National Guard 2nd deployment this time seems harder for my Son this time
OCS attended dinner for new Recruits Showed and Gave away my Photography of God's Blessings
My son is at basic training at Lackland in TX
Philadelphia and South Jersey
Central Jersey, son is in Great Lakes finishing A school
My name is Raymond mukisa I’m in Massachusetts leaving in Boston and a member of the Massachusetts national guard
Reacted to "My name is Raymond mukisa I’m in Massachusetts leaving in Boston and a member of the Massachusetts national guard" with ❤️
This is my first time
Reacted to "Central Jersey, son is in Great Lakes finishing A school" with ❤️
Reacted to "My son is at basic training at Lackland in TX" with ❤️
Reacted to "OCS attended dinner for new Recruits Showed and Gave away my Photography of God's Blessings" with ❤️
My wife is also in the Massachusetts national guard
Reacted to "My wife is also in the Massachusetts national guard" with 👍
Replying to "This is my first time"
Great to have you with us tonight, Raymond!
Great to have you with us tonight, Raymond!
Second deployment seems to be more difficult for my Son
Replying to "Second deployment seems to be more difficult for my Son "
I've heard other parent mention this too
I've heard other parent mention this too
That’s true mission comes first
Replying to "Second deployment seems to be more difficult for my Son "
for some, it sounded like it was because they already knew what stresses to expect so it was like reliving them.
for some, it sounded like it was because they already knew what stresses to expect so it was like reliving them.
Kept a Photography notebook while he was gone and shared on His return
Reacted to "Kept a Photography notebook while he was gone and shared on His return" with ❤️
How can I be more supportive to my Soldier thy His difficult moments
I am trying to encourage Him but he seems to be rebelling because of Politics
How can I support him when there are differences
Reacted to https://www.military... with "👍"
My Soldier is overthinking the Political spectrum how can I draw and support him Back to His Mission and get him to think about anything else but the Election
Here's our podcast from last holiday season:
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/holiday-realities
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/holiday-realities
And here's our podcast from 2024:
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/military-families-during-the-holidays
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/military-families-during-the-holidays
Thank you that is good thought How to make the day special maybe visit him before he leaves
Golf
Golf
I think he is leaving soon
Nice idea to invite his Friends
Connecting with others
One of the best way to support is sending mails and keeping the communication
He just text
Not sure what he does online
correct
correct
Ric - Would it be possible to have the links to the articles and podcasts emailed to us? I'm not sure I'll be able to access after the meeting is over.
Correct
That I understand
Absolutely! All you have to do is send an email to hilari@ocsusa.org and ask for a copy of the chat. We'll have that ready for everyone by around Thursday
Or to add on to that, if they are able to come home... Letting my service member dictate how that looks and not all extended family members get to see him this time. Especially if he has expressed a low key restful leave
Reacted to Absolutely! All you... with "👍"
Reacted to "Or to add on to that, if they are able to come home... Letting my service member dictate how that looks and not all extended family members get to see him this time. Especially if he has expressed a low key restful leave" with 👍
@CHRISTINE YOTHERS I just found this resource, but haven't vetted it yet. Feel free to look it over though
https://braverangels.org/attend-a-workshop/
https://braverangels.org/attend-a-workshop/
Reacted to "Or to add on to that, if they are able to come home... Letting my service member dictate how that looks and not all extended family members get to see him this time. Especially if he has expressed a low key restful leave" with 👍
Holidays tougher
wanting to prepare and have intimate and love those ideas quality time with Soldier
Connect back with family at later time
wanting to prepare and have intimate and love those ideas quality time with Soldier
Connect back with family at later time
Spot on yes
Very thoughtful
Do your best very good ideq
Our Family very small lots of loss
Our Family very small lots of loss
Great advice on how to reframe how to think through the holiday
I haven't seen my kids they are both overseas
I have been stronger this year but want to support my Soldier best I can and create new wonderful atmosphere
I have been stronger this year but want to support my Soldier best I can and create new wonderful atmosphere
Very good advice thanks
Reacted to "I haven't seen my kids they are both overseas
I have been stronger this year but want to support my Soldier best I can and create new wonderful atmosphere" with ❤️
I have been stronger this year but want to support my Soldier best I can and create new wonderful atmosphere" with ❤️
Haven't seen my daughter in 3 yrs
She is overseas doing her Doctorate in Fisheries
I am so very Proud of both the ey have very productive lives
Hosting great idea
Build your community again great thoughts
Replying to "I am so very Proud of both the ey have very productive lives "
Sounds like they turned out to be great individuals, Christine! You should be proud!
Sounds like they turned out to be great individuals, Christine! You should be proud!
Great advice! Thank you:) Be supportive, and create ways to be together.
Not same connection but a great idea
Different can be good 👍
Different can be good 👍
Begin to create what your difference is
Great thoughts be intentional
Great thoughts be intentional
Create Positive
I sponsored a Christmas for Battle Borne 2025
I sponsored a Christmas for Battle Borne 2025
Had a Sing for America join us and helped the organization
a good volunteer resource to find local places to you:
https://www.justserve.org/
https://www.justserve.org/
Zoom open
Here's another one for volunteering:
https://www.americorps.gov/join/find-volunteer-opportunity
https://www.americorps.gov/join/find-volunteer-opportunity
Record family messages and songs great idea
Reacted to "Create Positive
I sponsored a Christmas for Battle Borne 2025" with ❤️
I sponsored a Christmas for Battle Borne 2025" with ❤️
Invite someone who doesn't have family welcome new visitors
Nice /College football 🏈 good thoughts
Nice /College football 🏈 good thoughts
Boo..go Michigan State ;>
Reacted to "Boo..go Michigan State ;>" with 😅
I send my son reports of his highschool football team. And the steelers..lol
Replying to "Boo..go Michigan State ;>"
I figured you'd chime in on that once I heard U of M
I figured you'd chime in on that once I heard U of M
Replying to "I send my son reports of his highschool football team. And the steelers..lol"
great idea!
great idea!
Go Momma Bear
Create new things I am so glad we were all here to share these experiences
Reacted to "Create new things I am so glad we were all here to share these experiences " with ❤️
It’s a good thing to have a good relationship with your family
Reacted to "Create new things I am so glad we were all here to share these experiences " with ❤️
My son hasn’t called me since the boot camp graduation 9/24. I have to text him and ask him to call.
Make yourself unavailable 👍
Yes my Son was very busy
I spoke to him, but only after I text him. He doesn’t voluntarily call me.
Nice thoughts Hilari
Hey I know your super busy
A lot of pressure thanks for this tip
A lot of pressure thanks for this tip
I'll do the no obligation texts, "don't worry about replying, just wanted to say....."
Reacted to "I'll do the no obligation texts, "don't worry about replying, just wanted to say....."" with 👍
Reacted to "I'll do the no obligation texts, "don't worry about replying, just wanted to say....."" with ❤️
Learning how to Love our Loved ones differently
Positive thanks 🙏👍
Positive thanks 🙏👍
In case anyone missed our related podcast to this event, here's the link:
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/dealing-with-the-holidays-navigating-leave-separation-family-expectations
https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/ocs-connect/dealing-with-the-holidays-navigating-leave-separation-family-expectations
100% I agree! Love your podcasts!
These are very helpful - thank you for hosting these events!
Hilari, from that first video about preparing for bootcamp to this meeting.... Your wisdom is so appreciated. I so appreciate your words
Thank you so much! Looking forward to the next one!
Reacted to "Thank you so much! Looking forward to the next one!" with ❤️
Thank you for hosting this event so helpful.
hilari@ocsusa.org
And thank you Leann, so appreciated