In this Issue:

Living Green Tips

Upcoming Regional

Events

Community Events and

Programs FAQ’s

Resident Spotlight

July 2015

LINCOLN MILITARY HOUSING

COMMUNITY NEWS

Proudly serving the residents of Hampton Roads

A Story About a Flag By Sam Merrick Vice President/Military Affairs at Lincoln Military Housing

Here I stand on a British ship, watching them fire canons at my own town. Ever since they set Washington ablaze, I’ve

worried they’d make their way to Baltimore. And now they’re here, and here I stand among them, but not with them.

How did I get here?

Well, I let that lawyer talk me into rowing him over to this British ship. He too is on the deck, watching the barrage of

canon fire as he scribbles on a piece of paper. I wonder what he’s writing.

I can see the canon shells bursting on shore through the blackness of night. I worry for my neighbors, but am reminded

of their courage when I think of the flags the women made to fly in the face of our enemy. One flies even now as our

soldiers fire back on the redcoats. These mighty British ships are enraged and unload a barrage of canon fire. The sailors

cheer when they hit close to the fort but quiet down when the flares lights up that flag.

I lean over the side of the ship as far as I can, straining to see. The flag is still there!

It is magnificent….broad red and white stripes that wave in the British faces like a red rag waving in front of a bull.

Then those stars…bright like the stars in the sky, beckoning a starry future should we live through this night.

I long to cheer but it wouldn’t be welcome among these sailors. The battle goes on.

It has become so smoky ashore that I can no longer see the flag, even with the brightest shell bursts in the sky. I wonder

if it is all over. I wonder what has become of my neighbors, our town. I wonder to whom victory belongs.

Dawn is breaking as I stand beside the redcoats, each of us silently searching for answers to my questions. Where is it?

There! I can see it! I feel a catch in my throat and tears in my eyes as red, white and blue waves proudly over the fort, an

even larger flag than before, declaring victory, freedom and hope. The flag is still there, there because of sacrifice, there

among the mangled bodies and shattered lives on shore that bravely paid the price of victory.

But as I look I have to wonder, will that flag still be there tomorrow? And the tomorrow after that? Will my sons and

daughters and future generations believe, sacrifice and work to make sure that flag is still there? May God let it be so!

If I leave this ship with my life, I must teach my children that to remain free they must be brave enough to fight for their

beliefs, and protect this young country. I must engrain the pride I feel this dawn into their hearts. I must challenge them

to make sure THAT FLAG IS STILL THERE, and will always be there.

Oh, my soul is stirred with love of this land. I glance over my shoulder to find the lawyer sitting a few feet away, pen

still in hand. I wonder what he’s writing now…

“The Star Spangled Banner” was penned by American lawyer Francis Scott Key as he witnessed an attack by the British on Ft.

McHenry during the battle of Baltimore while aboard a British ship during the Battle of 1812.

Lincoln wishes all our military families a Happy 4th of July!

This Month’s Living Green Tips

July Living Green Tips:

Water Conservation

Water is the planet’s most precious resource; life cannot exist without water. To ensure we continue to have

clean drinking water for our families and water for all of the earth’s creatures, we need to conserve where we

can. Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for

water.

Water by the Numbers

Each American uses an average of 300 gallons of water a day at home.

Although water covers 80% of the earth’s surface, only 1% is suitable to drink.

Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.

Here are some simple things you can do to save even more water:

Shorten showers to 5 minutes.

Turn off water when brushing your teeth.

Turn off water while soaping your dirty dishes if you hand-wash your dishes.

Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.

While shaving, turn off the running water until you are ready to rinse.

Run your washer machine and dishwasher only when they are full.

If you like your drinking water cold, keep a pitcher with a water filter in the refrigerator rather than running

the tap until it gets cold each time. That way you’ll stay hydrated and not waste a drop!

Water your plants with left-over rinse water. (Plants also love fish tank water!)

Hand-wash single garments.

Do not use water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.

Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.

Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.

Call Lincoln at Your Service at 1-888-578-4141 if you find any leaks.

Source: www.saveourh2o.org

All Lincoln Military Housing Offices will be closed on

Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th in

observance of Independence Day. If you have an emergency maintenance issue, please call

Lincoln At Your Service, our 24-hour hotline

On the Move with …..

UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS

VIP at the Food Bank Family Volunteering opportunity.

RSVP online today!

Spouse Club: Making New Friends in a Flash A fun night of meeting new friends and learning networking tips all followed by a

coffee and dessert bar! RSVP event, register today!

A Day at the Zoo with Kids’ Crew

Spend your day with Lincoln at the VA Zoo! RSVP Event, registration opens July 1st.

Racing Through New York Our Kids’ Crew Series continues with go karting, paintball, bounce houses, lunch

complete with pie (pizza) and more! RSVP Event

Registration is open July 20th-31st so race on over to the website and sign up before you miss out on your chance for this fun family

adventure!

Glow Bowling RSVP Event

Registration opens July 1st.

For complete details and to register for these events and more:

www.LincolnMilitaryResident.com

Community Events and Programs

Frequently Asked Questions How do I sign up for the free events?

Visit www.LincolnMilitaryResident.com to set up your account to register for events.

Why aren’t all of my family members listed on my profile?

If a family member is not on your profile, it means your lease information has not been

updated. You must go to your District Office with your PAGE 2 to update your lease to

include all family members living in your household, including their date of birth.

What are the attendance rules for the events?

At the time of lease signing, you should have signed a Risk and Photos Waiver that allows

you and your family to participate in Lincoln events. If you declined to sign the Risk Waiver,

you and your family will not be permitted to attend any Lincoln events. If your family has

an addition, it is your responsibility to update the Risk Waiver on file with your District

Office. Lincoln events are strictly for family members on the service member’s PAGE 2

form only.

How does the lottery system work?

We use a lottery system so everyone has a fair chance to enter. It is not first come, first

serve. Lottery event registrations have a start date and end date along with a start/end

time. You must enter the lottery on the website during those dates/times. Once the lottery

has ended, names are selected randomly and families are notified via email to let them

know that they have been selected or placed on the waitlist for the event.

How do I know if I was selected for an event?

Once the lottery ends, if you are selected, you will receive an email stating that you are

selected. You must confirm your spot and follow the instructions by the deadline. If you do

not confirm by the deadline given in the email, we will assume you are no longer

interested and another family will be selected from the wait list. Make sure you are

checking your spam folder as sometimes the emails get filtered directly to them.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

Do these residents look like they are having fun? Join us! Visit our Events Registration website today to see what FREE events are happening in your community,

www.LincolnMilitaryResident.com.

Like us on Facebook for updates, emergency notifications and more! Find your community’s page today!

Lincoln Military Housing often sends emails out for event information and emergency

notifications, please call the office today to ensure we have a good email on file for you. The email should be the most frequently checked by the household.