Executive Secretary Lynn Bloomer knows a thing or two about being flexible. She brings that skill with her into her work and her marriage. He husband Don serves in the Army, working for the Department of Defense as well as the Michigan National Guard, so she’s used to the last minute changes in schedule, time spent keeping down the Homefront during deployments, and memorizing the alphabet soup of acronyms and what they all mean. Don joined the Army six months after graduating from Eaton Rapids High School and is currently in his 31st year serving our country. “His first deployment was in 1991 in the Gulf war, then a few others sprinkled in and (hopefully) his last was in 2013 in Afghanistan, but time will tell on that one.” Says Lynn. After working many years in Education, Lynn decided she was ready for a career change. When she saw a posting for the Executive Secretary position at the National Home, she said, “I just knew it was the place for me.” “I loved the fact that it was such a wide-open job with possibilities and that most importantly, it was a job that would help give back to the veteran population. A job that would support the core values that my husband has spent his whole adult life living and breathing. A career that makes you feel whole at the end of the day.” “I absolutely love the variety of what every new day brings me. Each day is a challenge, but I reap the rewards tenfold. I love knowing that what I do makes a difference and that people’s lives are better because of the work that I put in.” Lynn is a self-described “photo hoarder,” admitting to a current stock of 25,538 photos on her phone! She loves taking pictures and creating digital scrapbooks and other photo projects, calendars, invites, and graphic design of all kinds. “I am a secret computer nerd and can’t for the life of me help my 6th grader with his math homework – according to the common core math anyway…” she says with a laugh. She and her husband, Don, have four boys, Dylan (22), Joseph (18), Nathan (16), and Zachary (11) and the most adorable granddaughter Claire, who is four. They love to camp all around Michigan and be outdoors. His pride in what he has devoted his whole life to is so apparent, and yet he has never made me feel like I took a backseat to his mission. We were perfectly made for each other!” What Lynn loves most about being a military wife is watching the absolute pride and discipline that her husband has. “Don is as solid and stable as they come, and you never have to wonder where you stand with him. You can know that he will protect you thru anything. His pride in what he has devoted his whole life to is so apparent, and yet he has never made me feel like I took a backseat to his mission. We were perfectly made for each other!” The song “American Soldier” by Toby Keith, I think, sums up everything best about him – “And I can’t call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been too strong. I just work straight through the holidays, and sometimes all night long. You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door. Hey, I’m solid, hey I’m steady, Hey I’m true down to the core. And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price. I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice. Oh, and I don’t want to die for you, But if dyin’s asked of me, I’ll bear that cross with honor. ‘Cause freedom don’t come free.”