Author: admin

2026-07-22T12:01:00

(BPT) – Simple planning can help families feel ready when a clean changing station is hard to find.

Summer outings with babies and toddlers come with plenty to pack and plan for. But no matter how much you prepare, one disaster can strike at any time: a diaper emergency — capable of derailing even the most carefully planned family adventures and causing parents stress.

It’s not necessarily the diaper change itself that causes stress, but where it has to happen. In fact, a new survey from baby essentials brand Skip Hop found that nearly 60% of U.S. parents of children ages 0 to 3 said diaper changes in public places are stressful, while more than half (55%) have avoided a public changing table because it did not seem clean. More than one in five have even cut a summer outing short because of these concerns, highlighting just how much a lack of clean changing spaces can impact a family’s day out.

The most troublesome spots for parents changing diapers are familiar summer destinations, including public parks (63%), rest stops and gas stations (60%), public pools (48%) and beaches (46%). In other words: the very places families spend much of their time in the summer.

Because diaper emergencies rarely happen at convenient times, having a plan can go a long way toward reducing stress and keeping family outings on track. Fortunately, a few simple habits and the right on-the-go essentials can help parents feel more prepared and make diaper duty away from home cleaner, easier, and more manageable.

1. Check the route before leaving

Roughly 39% of surveyed parents say access to changing stations affects how they plan outings. Before heading out, it can be helpful to identify likely stops along the way, while saving a few backup options in case plans change. Knowing where restrooms and parking areas are located ahead of time can take some of the uncertainty out of summer trips, especially during busy travel days when flexibility often goes a long way.

2. Create a clean zone

Concerns about cleanliness are one of the biggest stressors associated with public diaper changes, making it important to create a comfortable space wherever possible. A portable changing surface can help create a barrier between your baby and a public table while giving parents added peace of mind. The Skip Hop Clean Slate Changing Station is designed to cover an existing public changing table with a clean, portable surface and folds compactly for travel, making it easy to bring along for summer outings. Keeping clean supplies separate from used items, sealing dirty diapers and wipes in a bag, and cleaning hands before and after a change can also help make public changing spaces feel more comfortable when cleaner alternatives aren’t available.

3. Keep little hands busy

A diaper emergency becomes much more challenging when a curious little one is determined to explore. A favorite toy, book, or comfort item can help keep children distracted and cooperative while parents focus on the task at hand. Having a go-to distraction ready can help make the experience smoother for everyone involved and keep little ones occupied during those few crucial minutes.

4. Pack for speed, not just supplies

A well-stocked diaper bag is important, but organization matters just as much when you’re changing a squirming child on the go. Keep your most-used essentials, including diapers, wipes, disposal bags and hand sanitizer, in a dedicated grab-and-go pouch so you don’t have to unpack your entire bag during a diaper emergency. When everything is easy to find, parents can spend less time searching for supplies and more time getting back to the outing.

5. Build in breathing room

Almost 18% of parents said they have skipped summer travel or outings because of diaper-changing concerns. While unexpected messes are part of life with young children, a little extra preparation can help keep them from becoming day-altering disruptions. Building extra time into schedules, identifying a backup stop and packing essentials in advance can help parents feel more confident navigating everything from road trips to afternoons at the park. After all, the goal is to spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying those summer moments together.

A little backup for on-the-go diaper changes

The survey findings highlight a reality many parents know all too well: diaper changes don’t stop just because you’re away from home. And while there’s no way to eliminate every unexpected mess, thoughtful preparation and portable solutions can help families feel more confident tackling diaper duty wherever summer takes them.

This was the inspiration behind Skip Hop’s Clean Slate Rescue, a new summer initiative created to help families feel more prepared when diaper changes away from home do not go according to plan by bringing portable diaper-changing essentials directly to parents and caregivers. Skip Hop is giving away 200 kits filled with essentials for outings, travel and everyday adventures. Each Clean Slate Rescue Kit includes a diaper bag, the portable Skip Hop Clean Slate Changing Station, a wipes case, a toy and wipes.

From July 22 through July 29, eligible adults can enter by following @SkipHop on Instagram and commenting on the designated giveaway post with a funny or frustrating on-the-go diaper-changing story. Entry details and official rules are available at carters.com/skiphop-clean-slate-giveaway.html.

Summer is for making memories — not stressing over diaper disasters. With a little planning and a few on-the-go essentials, parents can feel more prepared for whatever the day brings and get back to what matters most: enjoying time together as a family.

Giveaway terms: No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Puerto Rico who are physically located in an eligible area and are at least 18 or the age of majority in their jurisdiction, whichever is greater. The giveaway begins July 22, 2026, on or about 12 a.m. ET and ends July 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Limit one entry per person. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Instagram does not sponsor, endorse or administer the giveaway and is not associated with it. See the official rules for complete details.

Survey Methodology: The Skip Hop Public Diaper Changing Survey was conducted online among 375 U.S. parents of children ages 0-3 and explored attitudes and behaviors related to diaper changes away from home.

2026-07-22T08:01:00

(BPT) – This summer, Americans are embracing a slower pace, choosing simple outdoor moments closer to home over packed itineraries and expensive vacations. Recent data shows that 42% of homeowners[1] would rather invest in an outdoor oasis than take a vacation, while others are seeking out one-hour outdoor escapes[2] closer to home — meaning more leisure time is being spent in backyards, neighborhood parks, at community events and on the patio.

At the same time, summer also brings a familiar desire to slow down, minimize everyday distractions and make the most of uninterrupted time outside. Unfortunately, mosquitoes have a way of pulling people out of those moments. Whether it’s swatting mosquitoes during a youth sports game, interrupting a conversation on the patio or sending everyone inside sooner than planned, even small interruptions caused by mosquitoes can make it harder to simply enjoy being outside and may cause some to head indoors instead.

The good news? Mosquito protection and quality time outdoors don’t have to be complicated. Understanding where mosquitoes can show up and creating a mosquito protection zone before everyone settles in can help keep summer escapes on track.

According to Dr. Tom Mascari, entomologist at the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science, “Mosquitoes can develop in surprisingly small amounts of water, as little as a tablespoon. I think of mosquito control as a layered approach: be aware of breeding sites, protect the spaces where you spend time outdoors, and take additional steps when needed.”

To keep the focus on enjoying summer, Dr. Mascari shares a few simple habits to keep mosquitoes from ruining the summer fun:

1. Check the mosquito forecast before making outdoor plans.

Planning a cookout, picnic or evening at the park? Before heading outside, check your local OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast. By entering a ZIP code, it provides a seven-day forecast of mosquito activity in your area to help people better plan around their outdoor activities. The forecast uses weather data powered by The Weather Company and was validated by mosquito data from thousands of U.S. locations.

2. Know when mosquitoes are most active.

Many mosquito species are most active at dusk and dawn — the same time families are often enjoying time on the patio, taking evening walks or spending time at youth sports games. It’s important to be mindful of these peak mosquito hours and plan accordingly to help stay protected from mosquito bites.

3. Create a mosquito protection zone around the places you gather.

An easy way to reduce mosquito bites is to protect the space around you before mosquitoes become a nuisance. Although on-skin repellents are a good option, some consumers prefer solutions that don’t require skin application. Area repellents can help create a protective zone around patios, picnic blankets, sports sidelines and other shared outdoor spaces before mosquitoes interrupt the moment.

New this season, OFF!^® Area Repellent is the bug spray you don’t put on — offering fast and easy zone coverage that keeps mosquitoes six feet away for up to six hours when used as directed. Voted the 2026 Product of the Year USA winner in the Outdoor Mosquito Repellent category[3], OFF!^® Area Repellent offers a convenient way to help protect shared outdoor spaces.

With a simple spray that creates a protective zone around outdoor areas, it delivers effective, portable mosquito protection around patios, picnic blankets, campsites, sports sidelines and more so mosquitoes don’t interrupt your personal space when outdoors.

4. Dress smart.

Wearing long sleeves and long pants provides a physical barrier that can make it harder for mosquitoes to reach your skin. Light-colored fabrics are also especially helpful because mosquitoes are generally more attracted to darker colors.

5. Don’t forget the fan.

Whether you’re hosting in the backyard or heading to the park or sports sidelines, a portable fan can do more than help everyone stay cool on hot summer days; they can also help make outdoor spaces less inviting to mosquitoes.

According to Dr. Tom Mascari, “Mosquitoes aren’t particularly strong fliers, so increasing airflow around patios and outdoor seating areas can make it harder for them to land.”

From neighborhood cookouts and park picnics to cheering from the sidelines, simple mosquito prevention habits can go a long way. By planning ahead, dressing for the occasion and creating a mosquito protection zone with OFF!^® Area Repellent you can spend less time swatting bugs and more time making the memories that define summer.

For more information about OFF!^® Area Repellent and to check your local mosquito forecast, visit OFF.com.

2026-07-21T09:17:00

(BPT) – Finding the right credit card when you’re rebuilding isn’t about settling for whatever you can get. It’s about choosing a card that helps you improve your score without adding any stress to your financial situation. Getting approved for a credit card when your credit needs work requires a solid strategy.

These 10 tips from Navy Federal Credit Union can help you get set up for credit-rebuilding success.

1. Check your credit report and score.

Know where you stand before you apply. Get a free copy of your credit report from all 3 major bureaus — Experian^®, Equifax^® and TransUnion^®. Review your credit score to understand which cards you’re most likely to qualify for.

2. Fix credit report errors before applying.

Mistakes on your credit report can lower your score. Check your credit reports for incorrect late payments, accounts that aren’t yours or incorrect balances. Dispute any errors you find with the credit bureau. Even small corrections can improve your odds of getting approved for credit.

3. Show stable income and housing.

Lenders want to see you can afford your credit card payments. Steady employment and a stable living situation can help show that you’re more likely to make on-time payments. Be prepared to provide proof of your income when you apply.

4. Pay down existing debt.

Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio when reviewing credit applications. You can improve your ratio by lowering your current debt. Focus on paying down credit card balances and other revolving debt first. This shows you’re managing your finances responsibly and gives you more room in your budget for a new card.

5. Explore prequalification offers.

Many card issuers let you check if you’re prequalified without affecting your credit score. These soft credit inquiries give you a good idea of your approval odds before you officially apply. Prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, but it helps you be a smarter credit shopper.

6. Look for a secured card.

Secured cards offer the highest approval odds when you’re rebuilding credit. The required deposit reduces the lender’s risk, so they’re often more willing to approve your application. If you have cash available for a deposit, a secured credit card can be your best bet for getting approved and building credit.

7. Check out specialized “credit-builder” options.

Some financial institutions offer credit-builder programs specifically designed for people establishing or rebuilding credit. These might include starter credit cards with lower barriers to entry or programs that help you build savings while improving your credit.

8. Consider becoming an authorized user.

If a family member or trusted friend has good credit and strong financial habits, ask them if you could be an authorized user on their account. Their positive payment history can help lift your credit score and you don’t need to use the card to benefit.

9. Pick an option with an upgrade path.

Choose a card that will let you graduate to a higher credit limit over time. Many secured cards offer pathways to unsecured cards after you build a history of managing your account responsibly. Some issuers automatically review secured accounts for upgrades, while others require the cardholder to request a review.

10. Make sure the card reports to all 3 credit bureaus.

Your card is most helpful in building your credit if it reports your responsible payment history to all 3 companies — Experian^®, Equifax^® and TransUnion^®. Before you apply, confirm the lender reports to all bureaus.

Whether you’re rebuilding credit or building it from scratch, Navy Federal offers helpful tools like secured credit cards, prequalification before you apply for a credit card, free credit score tracking and personalized financial guidance. Explore your options and take the next step toward reaching your credit goals.

This content is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It is always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.

All product and company names and logos are trademarks™ or registered^® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

2026-07-21T14:51:00

(BPT) – It’s a scorching summer weekend, but the heat wave hasn’t stopped you from gathering outdoors for a good old-fashioned cookout with friends and family. You’re busy searing meats and veggies on your electric grill while your guests dance to the sounds of the summer pumping from the speaker system. The heat doesn’t bother them. They’re protected by the shade and cooled by the outdoor fans you’ve set up for the occasion.

Indoors, your spouse is busy in their home office, fingers flying over the keyboard as they finish up a work assignment before they grab the sides and extra beverages and join the festivities outdoors. By their feet is the family’s canine companion, enjoying the AC that’s on full blast 24/7.

All in all, it’s a normal summer … until it’s not.

Suddenly, the grill sizzles out, the music cuts and the fans slow. Indoors, the computer monitor goes black, the refrigerator stops humming and the AC stills. The grid is out and your weekend just got a whole lot more complicated.

But what if you could keep the party going, work connected and air conditioning pumping? To keep your summer normal, even during abnormal situations, it’s time to consider a home backup power solution.

Powering nonstop summer fun

Whether you call them portable power stations, solar generators or home batteries, home backup power solutions are for more than just emergencies. These reliable portable solar power systems can ensure that your life continues as planned even when the rest of the neighborhood goes dark.

For example, your cookout can keep going uninterrupted by powering all your outdoor appliances and electronics with the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus. This portable solar generator features built-in wheels and telescoping handles, making it easy to roll between rooms, move indoors or transport to wherever power is needed. It’s even Manual Transfer Switch capable. All the benefits and more of a gas generator with none of the downsides.

You won’t even notice that the power has blinked out. You’re too busy serving food hot off the grill while your friends and family enjoy your summer playlist with cold drinks in their hands, cooled by the breeze of the fans.

Indoors, your spouse can keep working uninterrupted because the monitor, desktop, modem and router are all connected to the Jackery HomePower 1000 v2. Thanks to its 1500W output and built-in 3kV surge protection, you can be sure that you never lose connection while working on an important assignment or running an AI assistant. You can even run a laptop for up to 57 hours on one charge.

If the blackout persists through Monday, you won’t have to worry about the food in the fridge spoiling. A power station like the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 can power a fridge for 48 hours. When you need more power, hook up the station to portable solar panels, where it can fully recharge in about three hours.

During a heat wave, you won’t have to worry about your home becoming a sauna. By connecting a whole-home battery system like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and a Smart Transfer Switch, you can rest easy knowing that you can keep the indoors cool during the hottest parts of summer.

This simple and affordable installation in comparison to permanently installed, grid-tied systems, ensures that when the power goes out, the home backup battery will automatically kick in, maintaining your house as usual: cool, lit, and keeping your refrigerator and electronics running. When you need to recharge the Solar Generator 5000 Plus, you’ll have eight methods to choose from, including high-voltage solar charging from an existing rooftop solar panel ecosystem.

If you’re away from home when the power goes out, no worries. Using the Jackery App, you can monitor your whole-home power usage, so you won’t have to worry about your beloved pet having to weather the stifling heat when you’re away from home. And you can continue monitoring them through your pet camera.

Enjoy summer uninterrupted

No matter what you do this summer, your life won’t have to come to a standstill when an outage hits, due to a heat wave or other unplanned cause of blackout, like a summer storm or wildfire. There are plenty of choices from Jackery’s line of portable power stations and whole-home backup systems to keep your home running reliably and smoothly. To learn more about how to keep your life powered, visit Jackery.com.

2026-07-20T14:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• Summer road trips can be expensive, but with some simple planning, you can score rewards and savings along the way.
• Get your car checked before your trip to improve fuel efficiency.
• Mapping out stops along your route can help you save time and money.
• Stop at gas stations that offer rewards and fuel savings.
• Look for a rewards card like the bp rewards Visa^® that makes the most of your everyday purchases and offers you the flexibility to spend your rewards points how you want.

By Alyssa Callahan, head of marketing for bp’s mobility and convenience business

Summer travel planning can quickly become a full-time job. Creating budgets, booking hotels and mapping out rest stops can be exhausting. This is doubly true when you’re seeking the best values.

Fuel may be a top-of-mind cost, but it is often just one part of a broader mix of purchases tied to time on the road. Multiple convenience-store runs, dining and little impulse buys add up fast. Plus, there are the purchases you’ll make before your trip to stock up on road essentials and the big grocery trips and takeout dinners when you get home.

The good news is that with a little extra planning, you can save hundreds and even score some rewards along the way. For households hitting the road this summer, here are a few simple moves that will put some money back in your pocket.

2026-07-20T11:01:02

(BPT) – If you want your kids to spend more time this summer away from screens and delving into books, start with the beloved Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. By engaging kids in this tried-and-true series you know they’ll love, you’re ensuring they’ll have many hours of reading pleasure ahead of them, all summer long. The Percy Jackson series recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, demonstrating its long-running popularity with kids aged 8-12 years.

To help inspire kids to enjoy more summer reading, Disney Hyperion’s “Get Ready with Me for Camp Half-Blood” summer reading campaign will be providing exciting resources and new content about Percy Jackson for young readers on social media, and on the Disney Books and Read Riordan websites.

Kids can explore the world of Percy Jackson, son of the Greek god Poseidon, in the five original books starting out with “The Lightning Thief,” and going on to include two direct spinoffs, an extension series of fan favorite characters, as well as crossover books with other series by Rick Riordan.

Here are tips from Disney Books to help inspire your kids to enjoy more reading over the summer months.

1. Make regular trips to the library

To help your kids find books they love, make a weekly visit to your local library a regular part of your summer routine. Many libraries offer special reading programs, story time, movies and other events for varying ages over the summer, so make sure to check out what’s happening at your nearest branch this year.

Pro tip: Let your kids choose reading material that interests them, whether that means graphic novels, magazines or books. They’ll be more likely to stick with them.

2. Share the books you loved with your kids

Do you have fond memories of reading books like the Percy Jackson series, or other beloved children’s classics? You can relive the stories you loved by reading them with your kids today.

3. Reward chores with “book money”

If your kids participate in household chores, consider offering a book reward instead of cash this summer. When they have completed a set number of chores, take them on a trip to the bookstore where they can select their next great read. It will be something they can look forward to!

4. Read together

Whether you read to your kids, they read to you, or you all read silently but in the same room together, “reading time” every day can reinforce how much you value reading, and is a great way to bond over your favorite books.

Pro tip: Even just 10-15 minutes of reading time before bed can help kids wind down and relax before enjoying a good night’s sleep!

5. Get into a series

The beauty of getting your kids interested in a long-running series like Percy Jackson is that the fun doesn’t end when one book is over. Kids will love knowing that they have a lot more to look forward to, and they’ll be excited about seeing what happens to their favorite characters next.

6. Make a game out of reading

Your kids could join a reading challenge set up by their school or library, or you could create your own. Consider making a bingo game with squares like “Start a book series,” “Read a book about animals” or “Read a story with a blue cover” — and use new books as prizes!

7. Keep exploring

If one book doesn’t get your child excited about reading, don’t give up. Help them learn the layout of the library or bookstore to discover what interests them. You can find a wide variety of stories to suit any kind of reader. Not into fiction? Maybe they’d rather read age-appropriate nonfiction books about space, the natural world, dinosaurs or how machines work.

Pro tip: Librarians and booksellers are a great resource to offer recommendations for your child based on their age and interests.

Any one of these tips can help make summer reading more fun. You can also encourage kids to learn more about the authors and book series that they like. For example, all summer long, @readriordan on Instagram will feature new and exciting resources for Percy Jackson fans, like quizzes and other interactive materials. The Percy Jackson stories are now available in multiple formats, including audiobooks and graphic novels, and the series is now a hit TV show on Disney+, with season three coming out this fall.

Find Percy Jackson books your kids can dive into this summer at ReadRiordan.com.

2026-07-20T09:53:00

(BPT) – Getting better sleep doesn’t begin the moment your head hits the pillow — it actually starts hours earlier. The choices you make throughout the day and evening help determine your body’s sleep readiness, or how prepared it is to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake feeling refreshed.

What’s getting in the way of a good night’s sleep

If falling asleep is challenging, it could be your mind that’s robbing you of precious zz’s. In a recent Viactiv^® survey* of 2,000 U.S. women, more than 4 in 10 (43%) said that feeling stressed, mentally wound up, or unable to stop thinking is what most often gets in the way of feeling ready for sleep at night. The survey also found that 28% report feeling physically tense and having trouble relaxing their bodies before bed.

Unfortunately, many are unintentionally making it harder for themselves by sabotaging their sleep readiness with bedtime routines that run counter to gold-standard sleep hygiene practices. The survey found that 61.3% watch television before bed and 48.3% scroll on phones or tablets, even though habits like these have been shown to hinder sleep.

Meanwhile, only 11.6% practice breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness, and just 8.8% stretch or do light exercise — despite the fact that health experts recommend these techniques for better sleep.

Practical tactics for enhancing sleep

To help you feel better prepared for sleep, try a few of these simple habits. They may also help improve your overall sense of relaxation and well-being throughout the day.

1. Build in more exercise. If your schedule is overbooked, try to add just a short walk during lunch or after dinner, and a 10-minute stretching session in the morning or evening. Any activity that gets you moving and uses your muscles can help relieve unwanted tension. Keep any exercise in the evening gentle, as vigorous exercise can have effects like raising your heart rate, which may make sleep more difficult.

2. Reduce pre-bedtime eating that can make it harder to fall asleep. Try to avoid heavy meals later in the evening, and cut down on snacking. Both of these habits can disrupt natural circadian rhythms related to sleeping and waking.

3. Put away gadgets like your phone, tablet, and TV at least 60 minutes before bedtime. Too much screen time at night makes it harder for your mind and body to unwind, and make the transition from stimulation to relaxation difficult.

4. Boost your intake of magnesium, particularly magnesium glycinate, which plays a key role in muscle relaxation and supports the body’s natural wind-down process. Magnesium also offers overall health benefits like aiding muscle and bone development, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. Many people don’t get enough magnesium in their diet.

To help you relax and improve your sleep, consider adding Viactiv^® Magnesium Glycinate Powder to your routine — it provides magnesium in the glycinate form, which is a form known to be gentle on the stomach and easy to absorb. This supplement delivers 200 milligrams of magnesium glycinate per teaspoon in an easy-to-mix, delicious, sugar-free peach flavor. You can make it even easier to boost magnesium intake by replacing your usual post-dinner dessert or snacks with this tasty smoothie:

Peach-Pineapple Wind Down Smoothie

1 teaspoon Viactiv High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate Powder
1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup natural pineapple juice
1/2 cup ice

Combine in a blender, adding a few frozen peach slices if desired.
Blend until smooth and enjoy after dinner as part of your wind-down ritual.

Incorporating some of these habits into your regular evening routine will help support a better sleep experience, which can contribute to your overall well-being.

The Viactiv^® Magnesium Glycinate Powder is available to purchase on Amazon and iHerb. Visit Viactiv.com to learn more about magnesium and other supplements to support your nutritional needs.

*Survey Methodology: Viactiv commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 women age 18 and over throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%. Fieldwork took place between April 21 and April 23, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

2026-07-17T12:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, it’s time to honor the veterans, service members, and their loved ones who have made it possible.
• Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has helped veterans like Mark Lalli (pictured above) find career counseling and mental health support after leaving service.
• Find out how you can do your part to honor and support service members and their families now and forever.

For 250 years, the courage, resilience, and strength of service members and their families have shaped the country and secured the promise of freedom — past, present, and future. Whether they’re Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force, they share the same commitment and contribution to American strength.

For many veterans and service members, joining the military is more than a calling — it’s a legacy.

“From the Revolution through now, I had somebody in my family serving,” said Army veteran Mark Lalli. “I have my great-grandfather’s dog tags from World War I. My maternal grandfather did seven invasions in the Pacific, and my paternal grandfather served in Europe.”

This is just one story of millions that underscores how service members and their loved ones have made America’s 250th anniversary of independence possible. However, these contributions often come at a personal cost that many warriors contend with in and out of uniform.

“From one generation to the next, warriors have answered the call to defend our freedoms,” said WWP^® CEO Walt Piatt. “It’s our duty to ensure they’re never left to carry the cost of that service alone.”

The visible and invisible wounds of service

Thirteen months after the 9/11 attacks, Lalli joined the U.S. Army to honor his family’s military heritage and desire to protect his country. He eventually became a Black Hawk crew chief, serving as a mechanic and combat gunner.

During a training exercise in Italy, Lalli’s military service was cut short when his helicopter crashed, killing six of the soldiers on board and leaving Lalli with severe injuries. Returning to civilian life, he faced uncertainty, physical challenges, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a loss of the close bonds he had relied on.

2026-07-17T05:01:01

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• Video games can be a powerful tool for teaching and preserving history.
• World of Warships, a naval battle multiplayer game, offers players an opportunity to immerse themselves in American naval history.
• A recent game update celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.
• Beyond gameplay, the game’s developer and publisher invests in other educational ventures to connect players with military history.

Modern video games seek to immerse players in the world of the game, and those based on historical events can not only teach history but also preserve it for current and future generations. One game that stands at the forefront of this trend is World of Warships, a leading naval multiplayer online game that brings American military history to life.

World of Warships prides itself on being the world’s largest virtual naval museum, boasting 800 ship models and counting. Each ship has been faithfully recreated down to the rivets. As players progress through the game, they’ll have the opportunity to take part in several events inspired by history, including famous World War II battles and other key conflicts across the 20th century.

Reliving the dawn of a nation

This year, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, Wargaming — the game’s developer and publisher — has released a special update that allows players to explore America’s origins. In the new “Dawn of a Nation” narrative campaign, players can experience the personal stories of four characters from different nations and learn how the Thirteen Colonies won their independence. As players progress through the campaign, they’ll collect narrative-specific rewards, including the formidable Tier VIII U.S. cruiser Congress.

Wargaming continues the Fourth of July celebration in an update to World of Warships: Legends, an adapted version of the original video game featuring faster-paced, arcade-style gameplay. Now, players can immerse themselves in dedicated historical activities, including the “Three Eras of Freedom” Collection and the “Big Chief” Calendar. By completing the daily calendar, players can unlock the legendary Commander Ernest E. Evans, alongside three Commander guises of notable figures from defining eras of U.S. Navy history.