Have a child graduating in 2026? Learn how to keep them covered with TRICARE Young Adult Page 6
Actively serving military members and their families may visit participating museums nationwide for free as part of the Blue Star Museums program, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families in collaboration with the Department of War. The program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, and will continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Shown
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC — Actively serving military members and their families may visit participating museums nationwide for free as part of the Blue Star Museums program, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families in collaboration with the Department of War. The program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, and will continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Participating museums can be found in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and include history, art, and children’s museums; historical sites; botanical gardens; zoos; aquariums; and more. Additional information and a complete list of participating organizations are available at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.
“Museums help military families stay connected—to each other, to their commu-
nities, and to the nation they serve,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As our country approaches 250 years of independence, Blue Star Museums provides service members and their loved ones with meaningful opportunities to explore history and spark curiosity. For military families—who often face frequent moves and time apart—these shared museum experiences offer a sense of stability, belonging, and connection. By opening doors nationwide, this program ensures they can engage with the arts and history that reflect their sacrifices and strengthen the bonds that hold them together.”
“Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connect, and feel at home,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to continue this partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and museums
nationwide—welcoming military families into the heart of our nation’s story and celebrating them every step of the way.”
Participating museums range from large institutions like the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, to smaller museums like the Aurora Fossil Museum in North Carolina and the Friendship Firehouse Museum in Alexandria, Virginia. Other participants this year include the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas; the Denver Art Museum in Colorado; and Discovery World in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Local museums include:
Hampton History Museum
Chrysler Museum of Art
MacArthur Memorial
Lightship Portsmouth Museum
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
A map of all participating museums is available on www.arts.gov/blue-star-museums-map. Museums can join the Blue Star Museums program all summer long and the map will be updated regularly. Military families are encouraged to check for participating museums in their community or along the road during their summer travels. This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military—Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID
Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. — The Virginia Zoo knows that girls just want to have fun, so they’re throwing an all-ages, Belfast Brunch-inspired celebration, ZooGrooves: Girls Night Out, on Friday, May 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.!
This event is your chance to paint the town pink with your besties as you dance the night away to iconic girl power anthems, strike an Instagram-worthy pose with celebrity-themed photo ops, meet all-female Animal Ambassadors, toast to magical memories with brunch cocktails, and so much more!
Sing along to every generation’s girly pop hits with DJ Mander from Melody & Co. Entertainment; she’s bringing the perfect mix of throwback tracks and catchy, modern hits! Later, visit the ZooLive! Stage at 6:15p.m. to meet an incredible group of all-female Animal Ambassadors. Animal exhibit trails and the Goat Yard will be open for this after-hours event until 7:30 p.m., giving guests a chance to sneak a peek at what animals do after most guests leave for the day. Attendees will also be greeted by Animal Ambassadors upon arrival in the Fountain Plaza.
Meet the Zoo’s “mean girls” at an exclu-
sive Meerkat Keeper Chat at 6:00 p.m.! These meerkats, named after the four main characters in the iconic 2004 film Mean Girls,
made their debut at the Virginia Zoo in early 2026 and have been a fabulous addition to the African Safari Trail. Don’t forget to bring
your burning meerkat questions to ask a zoo keeper who cares for them every day!
There will also be a silent auction featuring exclusive items from local businesses, like a Glass Class for Two Gift Certificate from the Chrysler Museum; dance classes from Dance Sport VA and Live Body Brave; a witchy basket from The Vintage Cauldron; a skate bag with goodies from Karma Skate Shop and VB Roller Girls; and more. As an added bonus, all proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to wildlife conservation! Delicious brunch-themed eats and additional refreshments will be available for purchase from a few local food trucks, including Hangry Girl Eats, Delight Bites, Mini Smile Donuts, Sugar & Pearls, and J&K Style Grill. Attendees 21+ will also have the opportunity to indulge in specialty cocktails, including “Brunch Punch” and “Peach Sangria,” at the Zoo’s Event Pavilion Bar while supplies last. Not interested in alcohol? No problem! Local dirty soda company, The Card and Cup, is offering a full menu of enticing, non-alcoholic mixed drinks! Tickets can be purchased online at: virginiazoo.org/event/zoogrooves/. Member tickets
See ZOOGROOVES on Page A7
Lawn Maintenance
Usingthe followingtipsfor proper lawn careandmaintenancecanpreventpollutants suchaspesticides,fertilizers,lawnclippings andleavesfromenteringthestormdrainand negativelyaffectingournearbywaterways: Usepesticidesandfertilizerssparinglyand neverrightbeforeitrains.Ifyoubelievethat yoursoilneedsnutrients,haveyoursoiltested firstsothatyou knowthe properamount to apply.Overapplicationoffertilizersisaleadingcauseorpollutionfromhomeowners Compostingand/orusingorganicfertilizers arehighlyrecommended to reduce polluted runofffromourhomes
Do not use aleaf blowerorsweep your leavesandgrassclippingsintothestormdrains aroundyour home.This clogsstormdrains which can cause flooding issues and adds excessivenutrients to our waterways.Grass clippingsholdthefertilizersorpesticidesthat areappliedtoyourlawn,andifblownintothe nearbystormdrainswillcarrythesepollutants intothedownstreamwaterways.
maintenancecanpreventchlorinefromenteringthestormdrain:
Drainyour pool waters to thesanitary system if possible and allowbylocal ordinance.Thesanitarysystemprovidestreatment beforedischargetolocalwaterways.
If draining your pool watertothe stormwatersystem, only drain your pool whena testkitdemonstratesthatthechlorinelevels have dissipated and arenolonger detected. ThepHshouldbebetween6.5and8.5before discharging
Nevercleanorrinseapoolorspafilterover apavedareathatleadstoastormdrain.Only rinse in asink that is connected to thesanitarysystemoroveralawnthatwillabsorband infiltratetherunoff
Carefully storeyour poolchemicals in a coveredareaand in tightlysealedcontainment to prevent spills and/orexposureto precipitation.
Preventalgaebuildupandtheneedforadditional chemicals with regular cleanings and maintainingconsistentchlorinelevels
Stormwaterpollutionresultswhenprecipitation such as rain or snowmelt runs over surfacespickinguppollutantslikepesticides, fertilizers,construction site sediments,pet waste,litter,etc.Thesepollutantscansignificantly degrade water quality andthreaten aquaticwildlifeand humanhealth. In addition,stormwaterpollutionimpactsourdrinking water supplies and useofwaterwaysfor recreationalactivitiessuchasswimming,fishing,andboating Runoff from our lawns,rooftopsand driveways draindirectlyintothe stormwatersystem.Thissystemconsistingofditches, stormdrainsandpipes,orotherconveyances whichcollect and transport stormwater,all discharges stormwater directly to nearby streams,lakes,andwaterwayswithouttreating the water firsttoremove contaminants Becauseofthis,itisimportantforustotryand prevent pollutants from being washed into thesestormdrainsfromourcar,lawn,andpool maintenance activities.The factsrelated to pollutioncanbestaggering:
Asingle quart of oil can pollute250,000 gallonsofdrinkingwater(NDRC,1994).
Recycling justone gallonofusedoil can generateenoughelectricitytoruntheaverage householdforalmost24hours(Philadelphia Water Department, AHomeowner’s Guide toStormwaterManagement,January2006).
Pesticides aretoxic to thefish and the organisms living in our waterwaysand are harmfultoourdrinkingwatersupplies
Excessive nutrients from fertilizers result in an overgrowth of algaeand plants which depletesthenecessaryoxygenforfish.
Back wash residues,algaecides,and acid washesfromroutineswimmingpoolandspa maintenancecanbeveryharmfulifdischarged intoourwaterways.
Belowaretipswecanalladopttohelpkeep ourlocalwaterwayshealthy!
VehicleMaintenance
Usingthefollowingtipsforpropercarand truck maintenance can prevent pollutants suchasoil,heavymetals,andtoxicmaterials fromenteringthestormdrain:
Frequentlycheckyourvehicleforleaksby examiningthepavementinyourdrivewayor garageandusedrippanstocapturetheleaky substances until youare able to completely repairtheleak
Properlydispose of or recycle used or unwanted oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and batteries.Never dump or allow these materials to leak onto pavedsurfaces that connecttothestormdrainsystem.
Carefully storevehicle maintenance suppliesintightlysealedcontainerstoprevent spills
Inthecaseofaspill,useanabsorbentmaterialtocontainthepotentialpollutant,cleanit upimmediatelyonceabsorbed,andproperly disposeofthespillandcleanupmaterials.
Specialtip:Emptyliquiddetergentbottles areexcellentforstoringvehiclemaintenance fluidsbecausethelidssealtightly
Special tip: Instead of bagging your lawn clippingsandleaves,useyourlawnmowerto mulch the lawn wasteand allowittospread over your lawn which will act as anatural fertilizer.Thiswillalsohelpyousavemoney becauseyouwillnothavetopayforfertilizers andwillhelpgetthatnicegreenlawn!
Using the following tipsfor proper pool
Avoid the use of the more toxic copperbasedalgaecidesbyusinganalternativesuch assodiumbromide.
Thanks for reading thisarticle and hopefullyyoucanincorporatesomeofthesepollution prevention techniques into your daily habits to help protectour localwaterways BesuretopickupthenextissueofTheFlagshipandreadarticle3inthisserieswhichwill discuss pollution that results from pet waste andwhatwecandotopreventit.
Tallships,military&charactervesselsfromaroundtheworld. Fiveunforgettabledaysoflive th AnnualNorfolkHarborfest. Thissummer,theworldsetssailtoNorfolk—willyoubehere?
Virginia Lovers,City Norfolk,Sentara,TowneBank, Magann, Industries,E.G.Middleton,Inc., DominionEnterprises,McLeskey,VIGORMarine|MHINorfolk,ThePortofVirginia,DominionEnergy,Hampton RoadsShipping,FAIRLEAD,LightTech,Inc.,VirginiaPilotAssociation,NAUTICUS,ICON,HiltonNorfolkthe Main,Colonna’s,VisitNorfolk,BAESystems,RiversCasinoPortsmouth,ElizabethRiverConcrete,S.B.Ballard ConstructionCompany,BayPowerSolutions,STIHL,CoastalVirginiaTourismAlliance,NavyLeagueof HamptonRoads,CityofVirginiaBeach,13NewsNow,WAVYTV10,NewJournalandGuide,WHROPublicMedia
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They putonthe uniform.
They answered thecall, knowingthe risks.
They made theultimate sacrifice on ourbehalf.
Beyond what waslost, let’s remember alltheygave Theirservice to ourcountry and thelegaciestheyleftbehind.
The film, Once a Week for Life, puts a Navy veteran’s code on trial in a New York crime story built on conscience, writer, director and actor George Zouvelos
Interview By Yiorgo
Anexcitingnewfilm,OnceaWeekForLife,thatpeopleare watching,talkingabout,andrespondingto,isnowavailable onAppleTV AmazonPrimeVideo DISHNetwork,DirecTV, GooglePlay,FandangoatHome,YouTube,VideoonDemand, andPayPerView ThefilmfollowsNYPDLieutenantAdam Galanis,abluntNewYorkfugitivehunterandNavyveteran whosepersonalcodebecomesbothhisweaponandhiscurse Itisthefirstchapterinaplannedthreepartfilmsaga.
The film’s North American rollout began April 14, 2026, followingaManhattanredcarpeteventonMarch19 InternationaldistributionisscheduledtobeginJune15,2026,startingwiththeUnitedKingdom,Australia,andNewZealand, followedbyexpansionintotwentyLatinAmericannations.
Itisanhonestfilm,written,directedandstarredbyGeorge Zouvelosthatsucceeds,becauseitfeelsauthored,notmanufactured.Criticshavedescribeditasa“rawcrimefilm”and a“necessary”argumentforindependentcinema,whilealso notingthatit“nodstoitsinfluenceswhilecarvingoutavoice of its own.” Other coverage has called it the crime film that “refusestolietoyou,”pointingtoitsbluntmoralconflict,its refusal to glamorize crime and its visible use of New York itselfaspartofthefilm’stexture.
George’s visual approach, including the use of desaturatedimagerytoreflectGalanis’compromised,drug-addled state of mind. That craft choice is central to the film. Galanisisnotmerelytellingastory Heisrememberingthrough damage Theworldsharpensandfadesdependingonwhere he is emotionally and physically It gives the film a subjective, bruised quality as if the audience is looking through the conscience of a man who knows he may already be too fargone
George’swritingisskillfulbecauseitdoesnotchasecliché. ThedialoguehasahardNewYorkear,givingthecharacters therhythmofpeoplewhohavelivedthroughpressurerather thanmerelyobservedit.Thestorydoesnotrushtoexplain itself or flatten its characters into types It lets Adam Galanisunfoldasawounded,complicatedmanwhosesarcasm, rage, humor, addiction, loyalty, and grief all come from the samedamagedcenter
Hisdirectionkeepsthestoryclosetothepavement,favoringconsequence,mood,character,andmoralcollisionover emptycrimefilmdecoration.Thefilm’sstylerecallstheraw moralvoltageofearlyFrancisFordCoppola,thestreetlevel conscience of Sidney Lumet, the independent intimacy of JohnCassavetes,andthemuscularNewYorkforceofMartin Scorsese It is New York crime cinema at its finest, tough, wounded,human,andalive
Yiorgo: With us today is George Zouvelos, an Astoria, Queens,NewYorknative,FiatLuxStudiosfilmmaker,creator, writer,director,narrator,producer,composer,andleadactor, behind Once a Week For Life Tell us George, what is your filmabout?
GeorgeZouvelos:MyfilmisaboutAdamGalanis,aNavy veteran,afugitivehunter,andamanatwarwithhimselflong afterthebattlefieldhaschangedshape Thefilmgiveshima worldofgangsters,corruptpower,streetloyalties,andinstitutionalrot,buttherealconflictisinternalasheattemptsto survive the consequences of his own conscience and dealingwiththekindofmoralpressurethatdoesnotdisappear whentheuniformcomesoff Thestoryisaboutwhataman iswillingtolosebeforehestopsrecognizinghimself Itisnot
simplyaboutcrime
Y:Whydoesthisstorywork,whyisitworthtelling?
GZ: The story works perfectly and it’s worth telling because at its core, the film is not simply about gangsters, cops, or fugitives It is about conscience under fire. I did not write Galanis as a clean hero. He is damaged, sardonic, wounded, addicted, and furious He is a man carrying the ghostsofservice,thepressureofthestreets,andtheweightof everycompromiseherefusestomake Heiscaughtbetween a New York crime family and City Hall corruption, forced todecidewhetherhewilllivebyhisowncodeorsurviveby becomingwhathedespises
Y: You are also not afraid to tackle real issues affecting servicemembers,veterans,families,andcommunitiestoday.
GZ: Yes the film openly covers such topics as: addiction, PTSD,thestruggletoreturnfromtrauma,emotionalabuse,
tells us about it
and domestic violence. Beneath its crime story, the film is aboutconscience survival,andthecostofcarryingapersonal codeinaworldthatkeepstestingit.Formilitaryandveteran audiences,OnceaWeekForLifeoffersafamiliarquestionina differentuniform:Whatdoesamandowhenthewaroutside him ends, but the war inside him keeps reporting for duty? AdamGalanisdoesnothaveeasyanswers.Neitherdoesthe film.Thatiswhatmakesitworthwatching
Y:Inwritingandmakingthisfilm,didithelpthatyouare anativeNewYorkerfromAstoria,Queens?
GZ:YesbecauseIsetouttomakeanhonestfilm,asadirt under the nails, hard working story I was able to bring in a livedinlevelofunderstandingofNewYork’sstreets,contradictions,andworkingclassmoraltensiontothefilm.Ihave worked with: emergency services law enforcement fugitivesearchandapprehension,andNewYorkpublicservice environments,experiencesthathelpgivethefilmitsblunt, streetlevelauthenticity Withmybackground,mygoalwas togiveanemotionalgravitytoGalanis,amanwhohasseen too much, lost too much, and still refuses to surrender the partofhimselfthatknowsrightfromwrong
Y:Tellusaboutthecharacterthatyouplay,AdamGalanis andyourchoiceofhowyouwentaboutplayinghim.
GZ:AdamGalanisisafugitivehunter,butthedeeperchase isinternal.Heispursuingcriminals,corruptoperators,and betrayers,butheisalsotryingtosurvivehisowncode That is where the film’s veteran dimension carries weight. The story understands that service can leave a man with discipline,instincts,andasenseofduty,butalsowithghoststhat followhimhome
Ichosenottoplayhimasaperfectherobutonewhoisa bruised, damaged man trying to hold on to his code while addiction,betrayal,corruption,andgriefcloseinaroundhim, whoknowsthatjusticecancostalmosteverything,especially whenthepeoplearoundhimwouldratherhecompromise, disappear orbreak.
Y:Talktousaboutyourensemble
GZ: My ensemble’s collective body of work includes: productions recognized by more than 200 major industry awards, including Academy, Primetime Emmy, People’s Choice Golden Globe and Grammy recognized films and television series These veteran performers bring authority and texture and the local New York actors add the kind of authenticity that cannot be faked. The cast does not feel placedintoNewYork.Theyfeelbornoutofit.ThatcombinationgivesOnceaWeekForLifearaw,streetlevelcredibility andmakesthefilmstandapartfromcleaner,safercrimethrillers.Iwasindeedveryblessedandfortunatetohaveworked withsuchtalentedandaccomplishedactorsandbehindthe scenestechnicalcrew
Y:Wheredidyoushootthefilmandwhythoselocations?
GZ:ThefilmwasshotonrealNewYorklocations,noton sound stages, and that decision matters Astoria, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan Staten Island, Coney Island, Rockaway,andtheouterboroughatmospherearenotusedaspostcards Theyarepartofthefilm’sbloodstream.Thecityisnot background. It is pressure It is memory It is temptation. It isjudgment.ItismyNewYorkstory,shapedbymymemory, faith,service,anger,humor,andsurvival.
Yiorgoisanarts,entertainmentandsportswriter Astage,TV andmovieactor heisalsoasportsentertainer educator motivational speaker, writer, storyteller and columnist.
By Feature Impact
Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely weekend morning with the family or savoring those last few momentsbeforerushingoutthedoor,afilling,healthy breakfastisaperfectwaytobegintheday.Easyrecipes that take less than 30 minutes (and can even be prepared the night before) make busy mornings a breeze
SheetPanPancakesaresimpletowhipupanyday oftheweek noflippingrequired whileHealthy SausageBreakfastMuffinsletyouputproteinonthe menuinakid-friendlypackage.Whenshoppingfor thesedeliciousbreakfasts,lookfortheHealthyFamily ProjectandProduceforKidslogostochoosehealthierfoodsandmakeadifferencelocally
“Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful aquick,balancedmealcanhelpkidsstay full, focused and energized for the day ahead,” said Tony Castillo contributing registered dietitian at HealthyFamilyProject.“Forgrowingkids,aproteinrichbreakfastcanhelpsupportenergy,satietyandthe building blocks they need as they develop The best breakfastisonethat’ssimple,satisfyingandrealistic forbusymorningsbecauseconsistencymattersmore thanperfection.”
Theversatilityofthesepancakesallowsforendless customization and experimentation with different toppings,fromfreshfruitandnutstosavoryoptions likecheeseandspinach,makingthemanidealfitfor the whole family They also freeze well, so you can pop them in the toaster to have breakfast ready in a flash when hectic schedules interfere with your morningroutine For another on-the-go solution, these breakfast muffinsaremadewithjustfiveingredients,including proteinpancakemixtohelpfueltheday.Thesavory combination of turkey sausage and cheddar cheese is complemented by the sweetness of onion, giving themtheflavoryourfamilydesires.
Tofindmorewaystoputanutritiousbreakfaston thefamilytable,visitHealthyFamilyProject.com.
Sheet Pan Pancakes
Recipe courtesy of the Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Nonstickcookingspray
11/2cupsall-purposeflour
31/2teaspoonsbakingpowder
1tablespoonsugar
1teaspoonsalt
11/4cupsmilk
1largeegg
2tablespoonsunsaltedbutter,melted
1/2cupslicedstrawberries
1/4cupblueberries
1/4cupminichocolatechips
Preheat oven to 425 F. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray Setaside In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
Pourbatterontopreparedbakingsheetandsmooth intoevenlayerthatcoverspan.Topwithstrawberries blueberriesandchocolatechips
Bake 5-7 minutes, or until cooked and golden brown.Letcoolslightlybeforecuttingintosquares.
Healthy Sausage Breakfast
Muffins
Recipe courtesy of the Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 3 minutes | Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 12
Nonstickcookingspray
1onion,diced
1poundturkeysausage
4eggs
1/2cupshreddedcheddarcheese
1cupproteinpancakemix
Preheatovento350F.
Spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray;setaside. Spraylargeskilletwithnonstickcookingspray Inpreparedskilletovermediumheat,cookonion untiltranslucent.Addturkeysausageandcookuntil nolongerpink.Removefromheat Inlargemixingbowl,lightlybeateggs Addshredded cheese pancake mix and sausage and onion mixture;mixwell. Fill prepared muffin cups about 3/4 full with mixture.
Bake18-20minutes,oruntilgoldenbrownontop
By TRICARE Communications
FALLS CHURCH, Va Becoming an adult comes with a lot of new responsibilities—including starting to manage your
healthcare. If you’re a young adult who’s abouttoageoutofregularTRICAREcoveragefromyourparentorstep-parent,youstill haveoptions
“TRICARE Young Adult lets you keep TRICARE benefits while you are building for your future,” said Debra Fisher, Health SystemSpecialist,Policy&ProgramsBranch, TRICAREHealthPlan,attheDefenseHealth Agency “TYA-Prime and TYA-Select can keep your health covered as you move into thenextphaseofyourlife.”
Who’s eligible for TYA?
AsdescribedintheTRICAREYoungAdult ProgramFactSheet(onlineathttps://www. tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/young adult), to be eligible for TYA plan, you must be:
Anadultchildofaneligiblesponsor
Notmarried
Atleast21butnotyet26yearsold
Ineligible to enroll in an employer-sponsoredhealthplan
Not otherwise eligible for TRICARE coverage
Ifyou’reenrolledincollegefulltime,and your sponsor provides more than 50% of your support, your eligibility may not begin until age 23—or upon graduation—whichevercomesfirst.
Make sure you verify that your informationisuptodateintheDefenseEnrollment EligibilityReportingSystem,includingyour studentstatus Thisisespeciallyimportantif youmovetoadifferentTRICAREregionor liveoutsideaPrimeServiceArea.
Your TYA plan options
There are two types of TYA plans:
TYA-PrimeandTYA-Select.Rememberthat both plans include medical and pharmacy benefits butexcludedentalandcomprehensive vision coverage Here’s an overview of somethingstoconsiderwhendecidingwhich planisrightforyou.
TYA-PRIME
TYA-Prime works like TRICARE Prime
You’ll get most of your care from a primary caremanagerwhocoordinatesyourappointments,givesyoureferralsforspecialistswhen needed,andfilesclaimsforyou.Additionally:
You’ll pay a monthly premium and TRICAREPrimecopayments
You must live in a Prime Service
Area—usually near a military hospital or clinic.
Referralsarerequiredforspecialtycare.
TYA-Prime may be a good option if you wantpredictablecostsandlikehavingaPCM tomanageyourcare.
TYA-SELECT TYA-Select works like TRICARE Select.
You can see any TRICARE-authorized providerwithoutneedingareferralformost services
You’llpayamonthlypremium—pluscostsharesandanannualdeductible—whenyou getcare.
Youchooseyourprovidersanddon’tneed toliveinaspecificarea.
TYA-Select may be a good option if you want more flexibility in how you get care, traveloften,orliveawayfrommilitaryhospi-
talsorclinics
When do you become ineligible for TYA?
Your TYA coverage ends the day before your26thbirthday—orsoonerifyou:
Getmarried
Become eligible for an employer-sponsoredhealthplan
Become eligible for another TRICARE program
YoursponsorlosesTRICAREeligibility Ifyoubecomeeligibleagain,youcanreenrolllater YoucanalsochoosetoendTYAcoverageat anytime You’llneedtofillouttheTRICARE YoungAdultApplication(DDForm2947)and submitittoyourTRICAREregionalcontractor Keepinmind,ifyouterminateTYAcover-
age, you’ll be locked out from purchasing TYAcoveragefor12monthsfromthedateof termination.Thelockoutdoesn’tapplyifyou loseaccesstoanemployer-sponsoredhealth planorifyougainotherTRICAREcoverage
Learn more and stay covered
TYAcanhelpyoustaycoveredwhileyou focusonlife’snextbigsteps.Tofindoutwhich plan is right for you, visit TRICARE Young Adult (online at https://tricare.mil/Plans/ Enroll/TYA)tocompareoptions,checkeligibility,andlearnhowtoenroll.
WouldyoulikethelatestTRICAREnewssent toyoubyemail?VisitTRICARESubscriptions to get benefit updates, news, and more.
ican Association of State and Local History, AssociationofAfricanAmericanMuseums, AssociationofArtMuseumDirectors Association of Children’s Museums, Association of Science & Technology Centers, AssociationofTribalArchives,LibrariesandMuseums,AssociationofZoosandAquariums,and NationalTrustforHistoricPreservation.
Inaddition,regionalmuseumassociations alsohelpedwithrecruitmentefforts,including the Association of Midwest Museums, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Mountain-Plains Museums Association, New England Museum Association, Southeastern Museums Conferences and Western Museums Association.
About the National Endowment for the Arts: Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing
Actively serving military members and their families may visit participating museums nationwide for free as part of the Blue Star Museums program, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families in collaboration with the Department of War. The program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16 2026 and will continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 (PHOTO BYNATALIE CASS)
opportunitiesforartsparticipationandpractice,theNEAfostersandsustainsanenvironmentinwhichtheartsbenefiteveryoneinthe UnitedStates Tolearnmore,visitarts.gov.
BlueStarMuseumsisoneoftheNational Endowment for the Arts’ programs that support military personnel and their families Others include the Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network and grants awarded to nonprofit organizations to support projects that reach military and veteranpopulations
AboutBlueStarFamilies:BlueStarFamilies(BSF)isthenation’slargestmilitaryand veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong
communities with a focus on human-centereddesignandinnovativesolutions.A“blue starfamily”isthefamilyofacurrentlyserving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces and those transitioningoutofservice Sinceitsfoundingin2009,BSFhasdeliveredmorethan$336 millioninbenefitsandimpactsmorethan1.5 millionpeopleannuallythroughanexpansive networkofchaptersandoutposts Formore information,visitbluestarfam.org.
Editors note: Information on the Blue Star Families’HamptonRoadschapter,visithttps:// neighborhood.bluestarfam.org/topics/41388/ page/welcome
from Page A1
cost$13eachforbothadultsandchildren. AdultNon-memberticketscost$23,and ChildNon-memberticketscost$18.Familiesmustreserveafreeticketforchildren under2.Ticketpriceswillincreaseonthe dayoftheevent.Thiseventwilltakeplace rainorshine
About the Virginia Zoo: TheVirginia Zoo,locatedinNorfolk,Virginia,ishome to more than 700 animals representing over 175 species Founded in 1901 and residing on 53 beautifully landscaped acres, for 125 years the Virginia Zoo has demonstrated a commitment to saving and protecting the world’s wildlife by inspiringapassionfornatureandtaking conservationactionathomeandaround theworld.TheVirginiaZooisanaccredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized as a global leader in education, recreation, science,wildlifeconservation,andanimal care and wellbeing For more than a century, the Zoo has connected adults families, and school children with the naturalworldbyhonoringitsmissionof commitmenttoengagingourcommunity intakingactiontosavetheworld’swildlifeandtheirecosystems Tolearnmore, visitvirginiazoo.org
