Mike Solley brought a lawn chair and planted himself by the water at Lake Rim Park, Saturday. As the temperatures settled into the low 70s just before 10 a.m., Solley held his daughter, Havyn, 3, on his lap and fished during the Armed Services YMCA 3rd Annual Family Fishing Derby.

This Memorial Day, will you fire up your grill? If hosting a barbecue is in your plans this season, you are among the 75 percent of American homes that own at least one grill and one of the 60 million Americans who will use a grill during the summer holidays. However, you are also contributing to the 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide released during these celebrations. No need to ban the ‘cue from your party, though. Grilling can be fun, healthy and sustainable throughout the summer with some simple considerations.

In his “Historical Sketch of Long Street Presbyterian Church,” Reverend R. A. McLeod wrote, “The real story of this church will never be fully known until He who keeps a perfect record opens the Book in which His records are kept.”

CAMERON, N.C. — The day started off with children putting their hands over their hearts as the American flag was being raised. After the flag was raised, they sang the national anthem as Soldiers stood by saluting. The excitement in the air was electrifying as the festivities were about to start.

The American Red Cross is found in 187 countries and is a charitable organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of common citizens to perform its mission. 

Dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot. The above code, translated into letters, is SOS, probably the most well known signal of Morse code.

Frequent moves and Family separations through deployments and then the reintegration issues that follow can make life difficult — especially for children. 

Nearly 1,800 on-post residents attended Corvias Military Living’s two “Spring Into Fun” events to welcome in the new season with free fun, food and games.  The first event was held on March 28, at the Corregidor Courts/Bougainville Neighborhood Center.  More than 800 residents wore light sweaters and long sleeve shirts as they ran the obstacle relay race or kicked soccer balls at a bright, inflatable goal on the first day of spring.

In celebration of national volunteer week, the 82nd Airborne Division recognized more than 350 volunteers during a ceremony at the division chapel, April 25.

Children had the opportunity to fulfill their curiosity while learning how to conduct experiments at different stations during the Bowley Science Festival at Bowley Elementary School at Fort Bragg, April 24.

Not unlike many post-9/11 youths, 1st Lt. Cole E. Anderson felt compelled to serve in the military as he approached his 2002 high school graduation.

Capt. John H. Green Jr., a medical operations and logistics officer of the surgeon section of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, volunteers his spare time mentoring youth in Venturing, a co-ed advanced scouting program for teens and young adults.

Tech. Sgt. P. Amy Harkins and Master Sgt. Jim Bauman are the winners of the inaugural Go Green Challenge.

“Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Julio Ramirez has followed Confucius’ quote to a T. The retired Special Operations Soldier, along with his wife, Coco, children Nick, 24, Julie, 22 and Gaby, 11, has built a business around his passion, road racing. 

Lena is 5 years old; she has a loving mom, Spc. Regina Jones who works very hard every day serving her country as a Soldier in the Army. Lena and her mom have endured separation before when her mom has been away for training.  Usually her Grandma Nettie comes to stay with her. But, her mom has not been feeling well lately and now they want her to stay at the hospital for a while. Grandma lives far away and does not have the money to come get her. What will happen to Lena? Who is going to take care of her?

Learning how to avoid being a victim of an attack can be the first step towards surviving an attack.  

Zoey Richardson is a typical 13-year old kid. She loves to bake cupcakes and is a self- described gamer, not a nerd — there’s a difference, she said. The teenager and her family live in Cameron, N.C., just a half hour away from Fort Bragg.

For those who serve, being married can be harder than normal. Long hours at work, field missions, being called away at a moment’s notice are stresses on a military Family.

Tragedy and triumph, two words normally opposite from each other, describe a 19-year journey of a Fort Bragg Soldier and his wife. By telling their story, the retelling not only helps with the continuous healing process but also makes sure a particular day on Green Ramp will never be forgotten.

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Fort Bragg Center has relocated to the Fort Bragg Training and Education Center. The move adds FTCC to six other colleges and universities that provide education services and support to active duty, Reserve and National Guard, veterans and Family members on post.

Starting a business from the ground up is a taxing affair, requiring many hours of dedication and lots of paperwork. Imagine working in a demanding career field such as the United States Army and trying to build a business. It may prove to be a little difficult, right?

Over 150 Airmen and Family members from the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron gathered March 16, for a picnic to celebrate the squadron’s 60th anniversary.

Sustainable Fort Bragg hosted the inaugural Arbor Day Youth Poster Contest with Fort Bragg Schools and installation School Age Services facilities during the month of March.

Fort Bragg Survivor Outreach Services held its annual Gold Star Wives Event, April 5, at the Watters Center.

Campbell University, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Methodist University have come together in a joint effort to form Panther University.

The 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum will be open its normal hours, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The museum serves to honor Soldiers and paratroopers who have served the division’s proud, 95-year history.

April is here and we are all eagerly anticipating warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and sun filled days. Along with winter’s departure and the rebirth of spring, April is also designated as Child Abuse Awareness Month.  During the month of April, Army Community Service, Family Advocacy Program highlights child abuse prevention efforts by partnering with other agencies to provide the community with education about how to care for our children and how to get involved.

When riding your bicycle on Fort Bragg, or on any of the roads around the installation, bicyclists must take precaution. On many of the roads surrounding Fort Bragg there is increased traffic of large military vehicles going and coming from ranges and training areas.

“This has definitely been one of my favorite projects that I’ve taught all year so far,” said Teresea Marlow, Irwin Intermediate School technology teacher, to Julie Allen’s class of second graders. “This is the first one we’ve done this year and now the third graders want to be a part of it at well!”

 “Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman.” Storytime was brought to life as children gathered around a room, some sitting in their mother’s laps, all eager to hear a story read to them by the ‘Giant’ at the Ste. Mere Eglise Neighborhood Center, March 19.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now,” — Chinese proverb.

The results of Sustainable Fort Bragg’s second annual UnbeLEAFable Photo Contest are in. The best color photograph is “Autumn” by Kim Chandler.

Join Womack Army Medical Center to celebrate National Public Health Week the first week in April.  There will be a week of events promoting this year’s theme “Public Health is ROI (Return on Investment) Save Lives, Save Money”.

As Fort Bragg Soldiers deal with over 10 years at war, the importance of this year’s Easter Sunrise Service in the newly constructed All American Chapel cannot be understated.

The warrior mentality on the battlefield is genderless and the desire to fight for freedom and one’s country are not distinguished by biological differences. Women have been serving in the United States Army from the beginning, and as the world highlights women’s achievements during the month of March, one Fort Bragg unit has taken the lead in developing and supporting strong female leaders.

In April 2012, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Legg woke up to a parent’s worst nightmare. On what had been an ordinary spring night, Legg, a husband and father, awoke to his wife Laura, screaming upon finding their 15-month-old daughter, Josalyn, unresponsive.

Baby talk filled the halls of Womack Army Medical Center on Saturday as nearly 400 expecting Families attended a Maternity Fair.  

In 1872, newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. The holiday was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and now Arbor Day is observed throughout the nation and the world.

Fort Bragg’s Throckmorton Library celebrated the 100th birthday of its namesake in a ceremony Feb. 28.

When Soldiers from the 102nd Sapper Company get home to their barracks from a nine-month deployment, they will be in for a pleasant surprise.

With a dash of motivation and a hint of selfless service, Pvt. Nico Maclin, food service specialist, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, is bringing something new to the recipes of the 3rd BCT Dining Facility and to Fayetteville.

Soldiers from 82nd Sustainment Brigade competed in an Iron Chef competition at the Logistic Support Area East Dining Facility March 1. Spc. David Bloch, an Iron Chef competitor with 126th Transportation Company, 189th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and Sunrise, Fla., native, won the competition.

The United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command chaplain held a three-day, “Becoming a Man” Adventure event at Camp Rockfish in Parkton, N.C., Feb. 22 to 24.

March 3 through 9 is Save Your Vision Week.  Since 1964, presidents have proclaimed this event in an effort to raise eye health awareness.  While there are no parades or speeches, this is a good opportunity to talk about your eyes.

Ballerinas, tutus, and sparkly tiara-wearing princesses were seen across the room as beautiful angels and their mothers celebrated the 11th annual Mother Daughter Tea and Fashion Show. The event, sponsored by the Armed Services YMCA, took place Feb. 23 and 24 at the ASYMCA facility. “It’s all about bringing mothers and daughters together,” said Lynne Grates, ASYMCA executive director. “There’s nothing better than little girls getting dressed up and spending the day with their mothers.”

The North Post Exchange parking lot was occupied with more than cars and shopping carts, Feb. 15 as the Aloha Safari Zoo brought several of their exotic animals for the enjoyment of the military community.

More than 300 Soldiers gathered at the Fort Bragg Club to share a meal, mingle and pray during the 60th annual National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 20.

To everyday civilians, “the pursuit of happiness” typically involves career, home, love and Family. It’s no different for military Families, with one important exception ­— orders.

Behind nearly 2.4 million active-duty, Reserve and National Guard servicemembers, stand an army of millions of Family members guarding the homefront with spouses ready at the front lines. Military spouses often juggle employment, children and volunteer opportunities while their Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine or Coast Guard member protect the United States.

For Sgt. 1st Class William Brown of the 113th Sustainment Brigade, fixing automobiles has been something the National Guardsman has routinely done on the side.