Grangeville 6th Grader wins Farm Bureau Insurance's Veterans Day Essay Contest

"What My Sister's Military Service Means to Me" was the subject of Grangeville 6th grader Hailey Russell's entry in the Farm Bureau Insurance Veterans Day Essay Contest.  Hailey was awarded a $500 U.S. Savings Bond for her essay, in which she says, "My sister's service means that others are free to go overseas.  It means families are able to safely welcome their new babies.  It means I am safer here in Idaho."

Congratulations Hailey!

The winning essay is featured in it's entirety below:

What My Sister's Military Service Means to Me

by Hailey Russell

My sister, Elizabeth Russell VanHorn, 29, is an Army nurse.  She has been in the Army for 6 years and is a captain.  She is an obstetric nurse which means she delivers babies and helps the new mothers.

Elizabeth made sacrifices to move away from her family.  She was stationed in Texas at Fort sam where she took care of soldiers who were burned in Afghantistan and Iraq.  She was able to make the soldiers who serve our country feel better by taking care of their needs and talking to them.  She helped them recover and cared about them.  My sister said it was an honor to take care of our American soldiers who were wounded during duty!

Even though my sister is not fighting a war in another country, she is still serving our country by what she does for soldiers and their families in the United States.

My sister has a baby, my niece, Madison, who is 1 years old.  She takes care of Madison and lives away from her husband who has a job in Vermont.  Elizabeth is now stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.  She helps deliver hundres of babies every month for military families.  The moms stay home to take care of their families while their husbands are overseas.  Elizabeth takes care of them and helps welcome their new babies even when tthey are not with their own families.  Elizabeth has even delivered babies on her own when the doctor could not get there in time.

I am proud of my sister because she is good at her job and even when she could work anywhere she is helping our country.  If she didn't do this job, who else would do it?  She is a piece of an important puzzle.

Being a nurse isn't easy, especially in the Army.  Besides being a mom and being away from her family in Vermont and Idaho, Elizabeth has to pass physical fitness tests and take a lot of extra courses so she can keep up on her job and know everything she is supposed to know.

My sister is an everyday hero because she does things to help keep everything in line in America.  She even knows how to shoot a gun and carry a backpack a long ways.  She could be sent to another country to serve if she had to but I hope she doesn't have to do that.  Not just because I would worry about her, but because I think the job she does here is important.

My sister's service means that others are free to go overseas.  It means families are able to safely welcome their new babies.  It means I am safer here in Idaho.

Be Wary of Websites Imitating Government Agencies

Be Wary of Websites Imitating Government Agencies

BOISE ID (October 14, 2011) - The Idaho Department of Insurance urges consumers to be careful when using the Internet to gather information about health care reform. Sites that request personal information from users should be approached with extreme caution.

Department Director Bill Deal says, "Use common sense when surfing the Internet. Sites may have an official-looking appearance, but may in fact be misleading or even fraudulent. Be proactive and do your research before divulging personal information."

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently raised a red flag about a new website - http://preexistingconditioninsuranceplan.com. This website is not maintained by any government programs, and consumers are urged not to submit any personal information requested by this website on the assumption that it is a government website.

To learn about the Pre-Exisiting Condition Insurance Plan made available through the Affordable Care Act, consumers are encouraged to visit www.pcip.gov or call 866-717-5826.

The Department of Insurance also has information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on its website, www.doi.idaho.gov.

Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho encourages Idahoans to be vigilant whenever using the Internet.

Announcing: Idaho Farm Bureau GM PRIVATE OFFER

Before shopping for your next new car, Farm Bureau has a brand new special offer you might want to check out!

Beginning September 15, 2011, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation members can receive a $500 discount on each qualifying 2011 or 2012 model year Chevrolet, GMC, or Buick vehicle they purchase or lease.  This Farm Bureau member exclusive is offered for vehicles purchased or leased at participation dealerships through Farm Bureau's - GM PRIVATE OFFER.

Twenty-six GM models are eligible for the rebate program.  Some conditions and restrictions apply. For complete program details, please click on the flyer below:

*Not every policyholder qualifies for member benefits. Please see your local county office for more details.

Labor Day Weekend - Boating Safety

Labor Day Weekend marks the last long weekend of summer for many families. Your weekend activities may include taking a boat to the lake or river one last time before the weather starts to cool down.  The following Boating Safety Tips will help to make sure everyone enjoys a fun, safe boating experience!

• Life Jackets - 90% of all victimes who drown were not wearing a life jacket. Make sure all people on your boat are wearing a life jacket that is the correct size for them. Also, it never hurts to have one or two extra life jackets just in case something happens.
• No Alcohol -  Historically, alcohol is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Driving a boat while drinking is the same as driving a car, you can lost control quickly. If it is hot outside, consuming alcohol may also lead to dehydration. The best rule of thumb, do not take any alcohol onto your boat.
• Keep An Eye Out - You should constantly pay attention to all passengers on board your boat, especially chidren. It only takes one second for a child or passenger to fall out or get injured. Some passengers may get sea-sick on a boat, and the best way to tell is by watching them. If you feel that something is wrong with a passenger, it may be best to go back to shore for a while. Also, watching for other boaters, objects in the water, and your surroundings will help ensure everyone's safety.
• Vessel Safety Check - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's United States Coast Guard Auxiliary provides free Vessel Safety Checks to look at: life jackets, registration and numbering, navigation lights, ventilation, fire extinguishers, distress signals (flares, horns, etc.), and battery covers and connections. If your vessel passes, you will are awarded a VSC Decal that alerts law-enforcement agencies that your boat was found to be in full compliance with all Federal and State boating laws. If your boat does not pass, no report is filed. Instead, you are given a written report to aid in corrected any discrepancies noted. To schedule a VSC in your area, visit Vessel Safety Check, enter your zip code, and search for your local USCG Auxillary Vessel Examiner.

And, one last thing, insurance. Most insurance policies require that your boat be listed separately and to have all equipment listed. If you have questions about insuring your boat, please contact your local Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho agent who can help you determine the right type of coverage necessary. Have a great SAFE Labor Day weekend!

* Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard