Support
Our US Military
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Many of you are wondering, as I have, what
you can do to encourage our fighting troops overseas. I've done a little searching, and I
believe I've found some practical ways that you can show your support of our
military. |
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Now, before you stone me, let me
explain. Of course, this was the
first thought I had…send a care package to "Any Serviceman" filled
with disposable razors, soap, pencils, gum, etc. But the military, with the fears of anthrax and other dangers,
will no longer accept those packages or any packages of homemade foods. It is a good idea…I wouldn't want any
soldier to open a package booby-trapped with anthrax. (It is my understanding that packages from
family members are exempt from this rule.)
So what can you do? You have a
few alternatives. |
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First, care packages are being sent
to the troops…using official channels.
The USO has begun a program, with the authorization of the Department
of Defense, called "Operation Care Package". For a $25 donation, a box will be sent to
a serviceman full of things they will need and use while serving
overseas. You can also enclose a
personal greeting with your donation, and they will transcribe it for you and
include it with the box. And if you
think about it…by the time you buy enough items to fill a box and then pay
for shipping it overseas, you're paying that much or more. |
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If you are a representative of a company,
you can make bulk donations of one product, such as razors, playing cards,
toiletries, etc. Or, you can
designate an employee to be your representative and coordinate any monetary
contributions to this program. More
information can be found at
www.usometrodc.org/contents.html, www.uso.org/pubs/93_325_1391.cfm, or by calling your local
USO chapter. |
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You can still donate items for use by our troops,
if giving money is not what you feel you can or should do. I know my local Salvation Army has begun
taking donations at local grocery stores of both new items and money. They make sure the items are sent to the
troops. And some schools are asking
children to bring in new items for the troops. Purchasing goods and donating them are excellent ways to
involve your children. Kids don't
always understand donating money, but they do like to know that a
"thing" they picked out is on its way to a soldier. Go to the Salvation Army's website (www.salvationarmyusa.org)
and click the "Supporting Our Troops" link…you will get news
relevant to your local area as to where and what you can donate. If you'd like to donate items, please
remember that the organizations can only accept NEW items…this is not
the time to clean out your closet or your storage cubby. Some of the items needed are:
Be sure and call your local Salvation Army
or USO to see just what items they are needing…for example, your chapter
might have a surplus of shampoo but no toilet paper. Remember, all items MUST be new and in individual
wrappers. All items will be shipped
in small boxes about 8" long, and they must be able to be carried by a
soldier on the battlefield…so please buy only small or trial-sized
items. If it won't fit in your
pocket, don't donate it. |
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Also, organizations such as the Salvation
Army, USO, Veterans Administration, and the Red Cross always need donations
and volunteers. Call your local
chapters and see what you can do to help.
If you don't have the money to give, you can donate your time…and I know
the Red Cross will always need blood donors. |
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Our troops both here and overseas need to
know that the people of the United States support them in what they are doing,
especially with all of the protesters making their voices heard. Whether you support or oppose the war in
Iraq, the bottom line is our soldiers are over there putting their lives on
the line…and we need to respect that and support them. Our troops can see what is happening here
on the home front, and it will do wonders for their morale if they see
support from home. Fly your American flag wherever you can…your
house, your car, your lapel, anywhere.
Wear your red, white, and blue ribbons on your lapel. Tie yellow ribbons on your trees,
fenceposts, porches, car antennas, or anywhere else they can be
attached. (And very important…replace
these things when they start to get tattered or faded.) Write someone in the military. Teach your children the Pledge of
Allegiance and how to properly respect the flag. Attend services or rallies for our troops. Volunteer at your local Veteran's
organization. Find a way to help the
families of the soldiers and reservists.
Don't forget that we have soldiers not only in the Middle East, but in
places all over the world. And pray
for our military, leaders, and POWs. |
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http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ (Operation Dear Abby…you can email
messages of support.) http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html (Virtual Thank-You Cards.)
http://www.yourmorganhill.com/ (Send a note to be included in care packages.)
http://www.operationuplink.org/, http://www.militaryconnect.org/ (These will let you donate calling cards so soldiers can call
home.)
www.salvationarmyusa.org (Salvation Army website.) www.usometrodc.org/contents.html, www.uso.org/pubs/93_325_1391.cfm (Donate to the USO to be used for care packages.) Or, you can do a Google search to find out which
organizations are in your area. |
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till
then… |
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…webmaster |
Although there are oceans we must cross |
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And mountains that we must climb |
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I know every gain must have a loss |
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So pray that our loss is nothing but time… |
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…Mills Brothers, "Till Then" |