Technology connections for military families

When my husband can’t be home for dinner my boys and I miss him. Our family has a lost piece without him there. Some weeks we don’t have dinner for several nights in a row due to various commitments, but at least I get to kiss him good night when he comes home late.

Military families go months without having their spouse sit around the dinner table with their family. They know what it feels like when all their pieces aren’t there.

Technology has changed how these families can connect with each other when deployed overseas. Skype and Facebook give families the opportunity to communicate in ways that weren’t available just a short time ago.

Skype use by military families

Skype, a network that offers free video messaging along with other ways to communicate, allows users to talk using real-time video. All you need is a computer, a Skype user ID, and a web camera hooked to your computer. When both users log on to chat, you get a full screen view of the person you are speaking with, and a picture-in-picture view of yourself. You talk back and forth as if the person were sitting across the table from you, rather than having that person sit halfway around the world.

Baby’s births have been witnessed using Skype, as well as first steps, milestones, and kisses goodnight. Libraries received grants for computers so military families without home computers could Skype with their families. Recently, a teacher whose classroom has a military pen pal and writes traditional letters, used a Skype call to talk in real-time. Skype allows individuals to get face-time, helping families and friends stay in touch with each other.

Facebook use by military families

Any technology that connects groups of people as well as individuals is a plus for military families. Therefore, Facebook is a natural choice for families to be a part of each others lives, even when continents separate them. People can connect to each other, of course, but groups are created by extended family members and units as well to keep everyone talking to each other and informed. If a military family doesn’t live near any other deployed families from their same unit, they can still easily be in contact with each other, no matter where they live.

Facebook is a natural technology choice for thousands of families in the military community. Spouses can share what they experience and offer support for other families in the same situation. By using the built-in ways to communicate within Facebook, families share photos, videos, and chat online to help get through the long months of deployment.

Social media is all about  sharing and connection. Using these tools and technology helps the military families bravely fill in the missing pieces every day. This Veteran’s Day, as you we honor the men and women who bravely serve in the military and those who lost their lives for our country, I am thankful for the ways these families can communicate.

Want to do something to make a difference this Veterans Day? Go to Operation Gratitude to learn what puts a smile on our soldiers’ faces and how you can help put them there.

Eileen Calandro feels grateful for our servicemen and women serving our country on this Veteran’s Day and every day. You can read about other things she is thankful for on her personal blog  at calandroclan.com. You can also connect with her on twitter as @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

Eileen Calandro