Just like you, I woke up one morning and realized that my 20s were long gone. I used to dread the thought of getting older, but now I’m embracing my 50s. I’m more confident and comfortable in my own skin than I ever was in my 20s. I’m also more financially secure and have more freedom to do the things I love.

I have a loving family and friends, several successful careers, and a lifetime of memories. And I’m still young at heart. So if you’re in your 50s or approaching them, don’t be afraid. It’s a great time of life!, And like you, I remember the birth of my kids, when they left home to start their own lives, college, and watching my mother’s generation age with grace.

Unfortunately, we’re at this point when we are losing our friends, schoolmates and peers. Quite recently we lost Calvin Davis(51). Calvin is an olympic athlete, a track coach and a native of my home town. He is a hometown hero. I will always remember him as young, fit and strong. His passing is a reminder that tomorrow is not promised. His passing is a further reminder that we’re in that season of our lives. That season when we are losing people, family and friends. Each loss brings us face to face with our mortality. And, with each loss, we wonder about the well-being of our families and loved ones. 

Coping with the Loss of Friends and Loved Ones

“Life moves on, and with each passing year, we say goodbye to friends and family who have become cherished chapters in our book of memories.” – Unknown

Its natural that those thoughts run through our heads. But instead of running away from those uncomfortable thoughts, maybe its okay for us to realize that its okay to sit with them for a few minutes. Do I have a Will? Trust? Does it need to be updated? Can my loved ones find important documents? Can they find important directives? How will I be remembered? Will they remember those special stories that made my life worth living?

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources available to you, including EnduringWishes, a comprehensive end-of-life planning platform that can help you create a plan for your future.

A Great way to be Honored

EnduringWishes is a great resource for anyone who is looking to make sure their wishes are known and that their loved ones are taken care of. It’s a simple, easy-to-use platform that can help you create a plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

So if you’re in your 50s or beyond, I encourage you to check out EnduringWishes. It’s a great way to make sure you’re prepared for whatever the future holds.

The post We’re In Our 50s: This is The Season When We Say Goodbye first appeared on EnduringWishes.

If you are a veteran or a former service member, you probably know how important your DD214 is. This document, officially known as the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is proof of your military service. It contains information such as your dates of service, awards and decorations, type of discharge, and reason for separation. You may need your DD214 for various purposes, such as applying for veterans’ benefits, retirement, employment, or membership in veterans’ organizations.

But what if you lose your DD214 or it gets damaged? Don’t worry, you can get a replacement copy of your DD214 in several ways. In this blog, we will show you how to request a new DD214 online, by mail or fax, or in person. We will also give you some tips on how to keep your DD214 safe and accessible.

How to request a replacement copy of DD214 online

One of the easiest and fastest ways to get a new DD214 is to request it online through the milConnect website. This is a secure portal that allows you to access your military records and other information. Here are the steps to request your DD214 online:

You will receive an email confirming that your request has been submitted. You will receive another email when your request is complete and your files are ready for you to review and download. You can also check the status of your request by signing in to milConnect and going to the Personnel File tab within the DPRIS section.

The processing time for online requests may vary depending on the availability of your records and the volume of requests. It usually takes between 3 to 10 business days to complete an online request.

How to request a replacement copy of DD214 by mail or fax

Another way to get a new DD214 is to request it by mail or fax using the SF-180 form. This is a standard form that allows you to request military records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), which is the official repository of military personnel records. Here are the steps to request your DD214 by mail or fax:

• Go to the NPRC website at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
• Download and print the SF-180 form. You can also request a copy of the form by calling 1-314-801-0800.
• Fill out the form. Make sure you provide as much information as possible about yourself and your military service. Indicate that you are requesting a copy of your DD214 in Section II – Information Requested.
• Mail or fax the form to the NPRC address or fax number that corresponds to your branch of service and discharge date. You can find this information on page 2 of the SF-180 form.

You will receive a confirmation letter from the NPRC acknowledging that they have received your request. You will receive another letter when your request is complete and your documents are ready for you to review and download. You can also check the status of your request by calling 1-866-272-6272.

The processing time for mail or fax requests may vary depending on the availability of your records and the volume of requests. It usually takes between 10 to 90 days to complete a mail or fax request.

How to request a replacement copy of DD214 in person

A third way to get a new DD214 is to request it in person at a local VA regional office or a military personnel office. This may be a good option if you need your DD214 urgently or if you prefer face-to-face assistance. Here are the steps to request your DD214 in person:

• Go to the VA website at https://www.va.gov/find-locations
• Find the nearest VA regional office or military personnel office that offers walk-in service for military records requests. You can call or visit the office to make an appointment. You can also use the e

• Benefits website at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage to schedule an appointment online.
• Prepare for your visit. Bring your photo ID and any documents or information that can help verify your military service, such as your Social Security number, service number, dates of service, branch of service, and type of discharge.
• Visit the office at your scheduled time. Explain that you are requesting a copy of your DD214 and provide your ID and other documents or information. The staff will assist you with your request and print out a copy of your DD214 for you.

The processing time for in-person requests may vary depending on the availability of your records and the volume of requests. It usually takes between 15 minutes to 1 hour to complete an in-person request.

Your DD214 is a vital document that proves your military service and entitles you to various benefits and opportunities. If you lose your DD214 or it gets damaged, you can get a replacement copy in several ways: online, by mail or fax, or in person. We hope this blog has helped you understand how to request a new DD214 and what to expect from each method.

If you need more information or assistance with your DD214 or other military records, you can visit the following resources:

• The NPRC website at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
• The milConnect website at https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect
• The VA website at https://www.va.gov/records
• The eBenefits website at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage

EnduringWishes is a Digital Vault that provides a secure place for storing important documents, including the DD214. By using EnduringWishes, individuals can ensure that they never lose this crucial document, which contains information about their military service and is required for accessing certain benefits. With EnduringWishes, veterans and their families can have peace of mind knowing that their DD214 is safe and easily accessible when needed.

Thank you for reading our blog and we appreciate your feedback or questions. Please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us at info@enduringwishes.com. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

The post Lost Your DD214? Here’s What to Do first appeared on EnduringWishes.

As a nation, we owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for their selfless service and sacrifice. However, many veterans continue to face challenges even after they leave the military. The EnduringWishes platform offers a unique set of services to support military personnel and their families.

EnduringWishes provides a secure digital vault where military personnel can store important documents, such as DD214s, in a centralized location. This makes it easier for veterans and their families to access these documents when needed, especially during important life events such as buying a house or applying for benefits. The digital vault is secure and easy to use, with features like two-factor authentication and automatic backups to ensure that documents are protected.

In addition to the digital vault, EnduringWishes offers a space for veterans to share their stories. Writing and sharing their experiences can be a therapeutic way for veterans to process their experiences and connect with others who have had similar experiences. EnduringWishes has a team of writers who can help veterans tell their stories and share them with a wider audience. These stories can also help raise awareness about the experiences and sacrifices of our military personnel.

But that’s not all – EnduringWishes also supports veterans in other ways. The organization partners with other non-profits to provide financial and emotional support to veterans in need. EnduringWishes understands that transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging, and they are committed to supporting veterans throughout this process.

The EnduringWishes platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Users can create an account and start using the digital vault and other services within minutes. The platform is designed to be accessible to all military personnel, regardless of their technical expertise.

In conclusion, EnduringWishes is an innovative digital platform that offers a range of services to support military personnel and their families. From secure document storage to story-sharing and support services, EnduringWishes is committed to honoring and celebrating the lives of our nation’s heroes. It’s time we show our support for our veterans, and EnduringWishes is leading the way.

The post DD-Who? EnduringWishes Makes Document Storage a Breeze for Veterans! first appeared on EnduringWishes.

As many of us know, pets are just as much a part of our families as their human counterparts—and their loss can be just as painful. Unlike humans, however, pets’ fates after their owners’ passing are often extremely uncertain. Many, like Maggie (pictured below), are simply abandoned or surrendered to a shelter due to the lack of a proper pet care plan. 

Maggie was a sweet, affectionate golden retriever who had been with her owner, Tom, for over a decade. The two were inseparable—Tom loved Maggie as much as he did the other members of his family. When Tom suddenly passed away from a heart attack, however, Maggie was left alone. 

Tom’s family lived in another state and couldn’t take Maggie in such short notice due to their own circumstances. Without a caretaker to look after her, Maggie was surrendered to a local animal shelter. She was confused and scared, as would any of us be. Although the shelter staff did their best to provide her with a warm environment, the shelter was a terrifying place compared to the comforts of home. 

It wasn’t until several weeks later that Maggie was adopted by a loving family who promised to give her a forever home. She lives with them today, enjoying walks around the neighborhood and plenty of treats in her free time. Her story has a happy ending—but many others do not. In any case, the traumatic experiences associated with the passing of an owner could be avoided with a proper pet care plan. 

A pet care plan is a document that outlines exactly what should happen to your pets in case something unexpected happens to you (such as death or incapacity). It should ideally include the following:

• Name and contact information of your pets’ veterinarian
• Your designated pet guardian
• Your pets’ diet, exercise routine, and medical history
• Any specific instructions for the care of your pet

If Tom had created a pet care plan, Maggie would not have been surrendered to a shelter. Instead, she would’ve been given to a trusted friend or family member—someone who knew her routine, her favorite toys, and how to keep her healthy and happy. So much stress could have been avoided for Maggie if there had been a pet care plan ready in the case of an emergency. 

Creating a pet care plan may seem like a daunting task, but it’s an essential part of being a responsible pet owner. It ensures that your beloved pets are taken care of, even if something unexpected happens to you. Don’t let your pets end up like Maggie, alone and scared in a shelter. Take the time to create a pet care plan today—with EnduringWishes, you can take the first step by registering for free at http://enduringwishes.com/pets. With the promo code PLANS4PETS, you can even get three free months of premium features to give yourself and your furry friends some well-deserved peace of mind. 

The post Purrrfectly Planned: Making Sure Your Pets Are Taken Care Of first appeared on EnduringWishes.

Passing on a legacy is not just about passing on material possessions. It’s about passing on the values, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped who we are.

A legacy is not just about money or property. It is about the things that have given our lives meaning and purpose. These things can be as simple as a belief in hard work, or as complex as a love of learning. They can be passed down through stories and memories, through traditions and customs, or through the things we make and do.

The post Legacy is not just about passing on material possessions first appeared on EnduringWishes.

Doesn’t it give you goosebumps thinking how your children will take ahead of their lives once you are gone?Whether you are in good health or facing a terminal illness, you need end-of-life planning to ensure that your loved ones can carry out your last wishes. While this may be an uncomfortable subject to think about and discuss, you must have your affairs to help facilitate a smooth process after you have passed on.

YEnd-of-life planning is the step you take to get your affairs in order and determine how you want your last days to be. It involves you completing a living will, a healthcare proxy, as well as a last will and statement. Making decisions about the end of your life is not easy, but it is not as difficult as you think. Once you’re prepared, decision-making and conversation will be more comfortable, and we are here to make it easier!

End-Of-Life Planning: How To Go About It

ThPlanning and making end-of-life decisions is a positive experience. It allows you to reflect on the most important things, and make arrangements that work for you. When you’re ready to make the big decision, follow the steps below.

Think about what matters most to you

Think about what makes you happy. Think about the aspects of your life that make up your sense of self. Consider the activities, relationships, and things that are most meaningful to you. Is spirituality, ritual, or religion important to you? What does privacy look like to you? Also think about the roles nature plays in your life. There are no wrong answers to the above questions. There are only YOUR answers. Your life is unique.

Reflecting on the things that matter most will fuel this process and help your family understand you better. By reflecting on important things, you make your wishes clear, so that your loved ones and caregivers won’t find making decisions on your behalf a difficult process. Think of this as one of the last gifts you leave for the people that matter to you.

Talk To An Expert

End-of-life planning is not an easy process, so you need to talk to a professional that can help you navigate the process. EnduringWishes was created as a safebox to save and store your plans. It helps you get organize. You can register images, assets, personal accounts, and lots more.

The post End-Of-Life Planning: It’s Not As Difficult As You Think first appeared on EnduringWishes.

Doesn’t it give you goosebumps thinking how your children will take ahead of their lives once you are gone?

The end of Life is a sheer scary phase, especially when you look after your family. You wouldn’t want them to feel lost, alone, and at some point financially unstable. Which is why the end of life support or let’s say good planning is essential.

The world has come really far. If you look back a decade, you will realize we live in a generation where everything is become possible without putting much physical hassle – right from online orders to an e-checklist.

You can create a complete end of life checklist using the digital vault and have all essential things placed in one place so your family can feel secure.

You can create a complete end of life checklist using the digital vault and have all essential things placed in one place so your family can feel secure.

You can create a complete end of life checklist using the digital vault and have all essential things placed in one place so your family can feel secure.

Why is End of Life Planning Important?

End of life stages doesn’t only leave your loved ones with ruined emotional well-being but it does also put them into difficult phases.

They might not expect from you as your children, but it is a part of your responsibility. In fact, you never know when it is the last day of your life. You can literally be living the end of life and you won’t realize it.

For that matter, prior planning is critical. Prior planning means a checklist you can create with EnduringWishes. Your children can have access to the list and not feel lost when they don’t have you around.

Checklist for End of Life Planning

Here’s how you can show care at the end of life

Secure All Your Important Documents in One Place

When you get started with a digital vault, you can secure all critical documents in one place. You can share these documents with the member you want so they can stay safe and secured.

The following can be the crucial documents –

• A will
• Documents of properties you hold
• Documents of accounts you hold that you wish to nominate
• If allowing any donation of organs upon your death
• Providing power of attorney to the deserving member who can later take important decisions on your behalf in every life aspect

Create a Wish List

As human beings, we desire things that we might not actually be able to fulfill in our lives. That is why having a wish list secured in one place can help your family fulfill them for your happiness.

Organize Assets

You may have invested in assets that will safeguard your children financially so you can compile them all in one place.

• Properties and their details
• Shares, funds, and their account details
• Insurances
• Gold
• Jewelry
• Retirement plans
• Savings

Shoot Pictures & Video Notes

This can offer your family a happy and loving end of your life. They can cherish the memories they made with you. Plus, you can walk them through a story, and talk about your wishes or how you want them to live their further lives.

All your memories and shared media will stay in the vault so your family can have access to them. You can choose who you would want to share them with.

Death Notice

Write a death notice consulting a trustable person or friend in your life to plan an end of life. Note some important things you would want your children to know and the type of funeral service in case you desire.

Wrap Up

The end of life is a critical stage. It seems easy but isn’t really unless you have a plan in your head that turns into a checklist/document.

You never know the circumstances after you. This digital checklist will keep you free from pressure and responsibilities and your children won’t have to go through the hassle to look for the documents, assets, and important stuff.

Thus, prioritize creating a checklist and get started with EnduringWishes for simplifying end of-life planning.

The post End of Life Planning – A 2022 Important Checklist first appeared on EnduringWishes.

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COVID-19 arrived in our lives, impacting us with a surprise and force that caught us unprepared. A fast-spreading virus that didn’t discriminate on age, sex, or gender had arrived to change our way of viewing life; and living it. 

In the United States, many people started facing hardships inside their social structures: work, friends, and family. Every day you would hear news from somebody close getting infected by the virus and in some cases, even passing away. All of the events that happened to some of us were strenuous, with many needing help overcoming them. 

FEMA has announced that they have provided over US$ 2 billion in funeral assistance for citizens affected by any losses of their loved ones due to COVID-19. This program has helped over 300,000 people that needed financial relief during a time of such unexpected, unimaginable and widespread loss.

An outreach campaign has started with the goal of reaching more families in communities that experienced a high death rate due to COVID-19 and are struggling to pay for funeral services for their loved ones. The areas where this campaign is targeted are Texas, California, New York, and Pennsylvania. 

Each family may qualify for receiving US$ 9,000 per person up to US$ 35,000 for families who have had multiple funeral expenses due to COVID-19. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the President’s American Rescue Plan gave FEMA the authority to provide COVID-19 Funeral Assistance and provided the funds for this program.

Additional information, including eligibility requirements, can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov.

*EnduringWishes is an end-of-life planning service that will allow you to have your affairs in order. Assign loved ones as Deputies to manage your information, images, messages, and more in a one-stop-shop platform. For more information, visit us at www.enduringwishes.com.

The post FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program first appeared on EnduringWishes.