Support the...

[drmomentum[$]]

Here are some suggesitons for supporting our troops:

http://www.lsj.com/news/local/030323...ohelplist.html

Among them are:

* Donating a calling card through Operation Uplink - http://www.operationuplink.org

* Army Emergency Relief - http://www.aerhq.org/

* Navy/Marine Relief Society - http://www.nmcrs.org/

* "Operation USO Care Package" - http://www.usometrodc.org/care.html

* VA hospitals through the Fisher House - http://www.fisherhouse.org/


If anyone wants to add anything, please feel free to post in this thread.

-------------------

If anyone would like to support the effort to help Iraqi civilian survivors, Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org/eng/iraq_appeal.htm is a place you might start.

If anyone wants to add anything along those lines, please feel free to post here.

-JP

[Redlass]

Hey! That's my local newspaper (and the newspaper that I used to work for as a copy editor)!

Er, sorry, back to your regularly scheduled topic.

Thank you for pointing that article out, JP. I especially like the suggestion that one way to support the troops is to support the families that are left behind by helping them with transportation, home repairs, etc. It's the sort of thing that I would think would mean a lot to service members with families.

[ms_n]

[theeye]

http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html

Also, if you are planning on sending a package to a service member, here are the rules and guidelines.

[magenta321]

Thanks for this thread.

Lately I've seen a lot of "We Support Our Troops" signs, banners, ads, etc.

I don't mean to be rude, but, I often wonder what these people are actually doing to support their troops.

I hope more people will go beyond words and actually show these men and women the appreciation they deserve.

[emeleel]

While up all-too-entirely-early on Monday morning, I saw on the local news that they are asking people to *stop* sending so many care packages and letters. Not family members, but all of these organizations that help individuals get things sent out. First of all they are apparently worried that the volume of mail will create an opportunity for terrorists to slip something in that wouldn't get caught, and secondly it's become quite a lot for the military to handle all of it and it's taking up precious space and manpower.

That's the only blip I've heard about it, though - has anyone heard any more or anything different?

[theeye]

Melanie or Em (not Mel) said in post #6 :
While up all-too-entirely-early on Monday morning, I saw on the local news that they are asking people to *stop* sending so many care packages and letters. Not family members, but all of these organizations that help individuals get things sent out.

Here's the story.

Because of security concerns, the Department of Defense has started advising people that many of the packages and letters intended for random troops can't be accepted.

In addition to possibly exposing military personnel to biological or chemical threats, unsolicited mail competes for limited airlift space with mail sent by friends and relatives, the Pentagon said.

[magenta321]

Sigh. But, I would think the morale booster they would provide would be invaluable.

I see their point too though.

[theeye]

If anyone has any pointers to organizations helping to support the troops' families, that would be helpful, too. Things like being a Big Brother or Big Sister to a kid whose parent is deployed, helping families out with grocery shopping, etc.

[magenta321]

Perhaps one could look to their religious leaders for help with that. They might have people right in their congregation who need help.

[emeleel]

Thanks, Eye.

Here's some more links I happened across, I haven't checked them all out, though:

> * Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include
> greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card
> donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones:
>
> http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html
>
> http://www.usocares.org/home.htm
>
> http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html

[conradd]

The problem seems to be that troop support is overwhelming the mail capabilities of the ground units. This is being resolved since the military realizes that mail and meals are two of the three most motivating factors for the troops. There are many soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen who do not get mail from home for one reason or another. A recognized and well-respected organization that will match willing supporters with individual service men and women is the AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort.

The AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort (AAP) is a nonprofit 501C-3 organization managed by volunteer mothers. Our mission is to ensure that no U.S. deployed soldier is forgotten, rallying the nation behind our troops and teaching patriotism. To learn how the AAP was founded and more information about what the AAP is all about, please read, “Moms across America.” The AAP links moms, grandmothers, families, pen-pals, private companies, corporations, civic groups and other organizations such as American Legions, VFW’s, schools, synagogues, churches, scouts, and 4-H Clubs to the troops serving overseas, in the spirit of American patriotism. Please use your tax-deductible charitable dollars to support those who defend the freedom of our country and the AAP who makes this support possible! We ask everyone to remember that supporting our soldiers is a gift we give ourselves as they serve on our behalf. We support them asking nothing in return except for the honor of letting them know they are appreciated and never forgotten!
~~~wnip~~~~
The adoption support measure consists of sending a weekly cheerful card or letter and a minimum monthly care package to assigned soldier(s) or Point of Contact (POC). More support can be sent as you desire. The Adoption support measure comes from families, who embrace one soldier and large groups like civic groups, schools, youth groups and companies etc., who adopt a platoon(s). Families -- please send your name, ground mail address, email address, marital status (add “married family” under marital status), day and evening telephone numbers (an evening phone number is essential), and occupation.

This personal information is kept confidential. After screening the applicants, a personal phone call is made. Families and individuals can adopt individual servicemenbers, companies, groups, and churches can adopt a platoon. It's really a wonderful way to show tangible support to someone you may never meet but who is helping to keep you safe from far away.

Deb

P.S. The announcement from DoD does not refer to the letters you send to those Marines and soldiers who do not get mail. The purpose of the DoD letter is to keep the amount of mail and packages down to a reasonable amount. Also, if you want to provide support to family members (a wonderful idea) you could contact your nearest USO office.

[conradd]

Check out Naomi's Books for Soldiers thread in the Books forum.

Deb

[ms_n]

[conradd]

Tony and Anne Fisher, who died in a plane crash last week, were mentioned in a recent Pentagon briefing in recognition of their Fisher Foundation and the Fisher Houses. Fisher Houses are like Ronald McDonald Houses, for military families with loved ones being treated at military hospitals worldwide. If you are interested in supporting the troops through the Fisher Foundation, here's a link:

http://www.fisherhouse.org/

There are a number of opportunities on the site:
*donations accepted to meet commercial lodging costs when Fisher House capacity is exceeded
*send a note of encouragement to a wounded service member
*donate to families who have a husband or family member killed in service (until military benefits kick in)
*donate toward grocery gift certificates for military families
*donate toward construction of a new Fisher house

Deb