When people think about American military troops abroad, they don't often think about the families who go with them or how they live their daily lives overseas.
Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, the founder of the Museum of the American Military Family, will describe what it's like to be so transient, always on the move. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, military families move about every two to four years - sometimes even more frequently. Because of this, they make the most of every posting, developing friendships quickly, keeping one foot in both worlds – working, shopping, or going to school in American surroundings on base, but also venturing out into their new communities and developing international friendships. Many service members and their families cite their tours overseas as their favorites. Some return year after year as nostalgic tourists, seeking out old friends and visiting long-closed bases.
Dr. Woessner, herself a military spouse, has moved 30 times in her lifetime and will share some of her experiences and answer questions from the audience. She will also display panels from the museum's recent exhibit, Host Nation Hospitality.