It’s been two weeks since the end of AUSA’s 2014 Annual Meeting. After so much preparation, coordination, timing, and execution we can officially call it a wrap! Now it’s After Action Review time, know in the military world as an AAR. What went well?  What should we change? What should we bring back? Great questions with what I am sure will be introspective answers but at first look I would say that what went right this year can be summed up in one word: relevance. Oh sure, it was awesome sharing the same stage with Gary Sinise, and it was a hoot to listen to Jacey Eckhart talk about the military spouse journey, but the substance of the show was the information presented. We learned that many programs we rely on are in good health and still making a difference. We were proud to partner with the Military Child Education Coalition and bring you a discussion on the future of our military children, both from the research and program perspectives.   And our Army leaders held nothing back.  From the truth on Ebola, to the fight to end sequestration, you asked, they answered.But the real star of this year’s forums was you.  Your input prior to the forums in the form of questions posted on Facebook, Twitter and emails we received shaped the discussion and led the way for meaningful dialog. Your participation, both on site or at one of seventy three central viewing locations CONUS and OCONUS, insured that the information would be shared with other family members. After analyzing and reflecting on the 2014 Family Forums, we at AUSA have come to one important conclusion; it’s time to bring FRG leaders back to Washington DC in some capacity. There is nothing like the energy and insight provided by family members. You matter, your voice matters, and your perspective is invaluable.  We pledge to come up with a way to bring some of you to DC in 2015. If you have any ideas we would love to hear from you in the comments below. Until next year: Family Strong-Army Strong!