Creative Ideas for Disconnected Veterans/Military Commands/Community

First of all, Happy New Year! I hope that each and every one of you are having a good start in 2015.

I recently had a great conversation with a military student at Stratford University's Virginia Beach Campus. She's single, still learning her way around the Navy. Of course with my 13+ years of Reserves and Active duty time I told her some of my ideas of how to survive being a "stranger in a strangeland" (Yeah, Norfolk is stillllll that way lol). But I thought about this:

How many others feel that way?

Below are a list of ideas I'm currently working on that I wanted to share with you all - I hope these are able to help you in some way! :)

1. "Expressions of Experience" Art Gala: MILITARY ARTISTS WANTED! Does your command have talented artists? What about the Veterans in your community? Have you ever considered giving them the opportunity to put their thoughts on the military experience in art? I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for months now, and I'm finally laying the groundwork to make this happen - Consider this for your commands and communities.

2. "Share Your Story" Military Luncheon: We all have funny military stories - Why not share them? Host a buffet-style lunch or dinner and have a mic up front for someone to share one of those funny (PG of course) stories.

3. Foot Golf Tournaments - It's soccer and golf all in one - No clubs required, and all you have to do is be able to kick a ball into a gigantic hole. This is another idea I've come across that I will be working on this year. We're running it like a regular golf tournament (hopefully) that will include sponsored holes, etc... If you're looking for something unique and different for your commands and Veteran communities, that ranks at the top.

I hope these ideas help and get the creative juices flowing!