Articles and upcoming events

This past month I have been very busy planning several upcoming events for families of our fallen in addition to participating in events for heart health month.  I am also a featured write as the Military Family Examiner on Examiner.com and was recently asked to write a monthly column for the Orange County Register.  Most who know me know that I LOVE to write; I have 2 books that are complete that I am just pending publication on.  I believe that you should do the things you are passionate about;  while I may never be JK Rowlings and amass a fortune through writing it is something that I love and enjoy.  Growing up I was encouraged to write my feelings and thoughts, I have journal upon journal chronicling my adolescence and early adulthood however due to circumstances I was unable to keep journals for several years... those years were turned into my first book in retrospect.  That book may never be published but will always hold a very special place in my heart as that was a very difficult time in my life that I am so proud to have made it through. 

If you would like to see my writing and subscribe to my columns you can:

www.examiner.com/military-family-in-los-angeles/shana-smith

1.       www.ocregister.com/news/day-495754-valentine-orange.html

Our upcoming events for Got Your Back Network are very exciting.  I am in the planning stages of family day with the Anaheim Angels baseball, Ducks Hockey and our first surviving spouse financial literacy program.  With the scope of all that the Got Your Back Network offers being so broad it allows me to seek out different events for families to participate in and see what they like the best.  The organization is for them so what works and what doesn’t is based on their needs and wants.  In the past several years I have learned that each person in a different place in their journey, no place is right or wrong but a personal journey, therefore it’s important that their needs are met regardless of where they are.

Coming up:

February 16       Red High Heel Walk for heart health awareness

February 18       Anaheim Ducks game – Got Your Back Network (Tentative)

March 16          Got Your Back Network Financial Literacy Workshop

March 22          Go Red for Women Luncheon

1st Annual Surviving Families Holiday Party

Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”

Amanda Bradley

I will say that many of my appearances, events or gatherings are as Shana, Got Your Back Board Member not as Shana, Mrs. California International.  This is not because I am not proud of or don’t love my title, its based on the appropriateness for each event.  Many of our surviving family events are about THEM, about their journey and their experiences with our organization and eachother... If I feel that wearing my crown/sash would overshadow that experience I choose not to wear it however I always bring it for the bling and our little girls.  This was the case with Wreaths Across America and our holiday party.  Many of the little girls met me at the Snowball send off so they remembered the Princess, so out came the crown and sash for their rhinestoned enjoyment... then the adults got in on the action. 

I LOVE the holidays and all they represent.  Giving to others, helping others in need and family.... it’s such a magical time of year.  This year was our First Annual Got Your Back Network Holiday party... what a WONDERFUL evening.  We had 18 families of our fallen heroes join us at the Pacific View Events Center on Camp Pendleton for food, fun and a visit from Mrs. Claus and her special Elf... Santa was VERY busy at the North Pole helping get toys ready for Christmas so he sent his wife, the next best thing (she talks to Santa you know).  I was able to meet several new families at this event, getting to know them and their children was very special.  It was also a great time for families to meet each other and start to form new bonds there as well.    

When each child met with Mrs. Claus, they were provided with a perfect gift just for them – I am thankful to our many donors this year for their help in providing this magical evening.  Thank you to the San Juan Capistrano Women’s Auxiliary for providing toys, our special Got Your Back Volunteer Susan Bien and her wonderful husband for obtaining donations, Leif Manson the Elf for providing the answers to life’s many questions such as why not ALL elves have pointy ears (Thank you Avery for your questions), and Mrs. Claus for her story and time with each child.

Until next year!