How to Support the Troops

While deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2004-2005, I got a ton of e-mails from home asking me how to show support for my unit and other members of the military. I always had the typical laundry list of things you could send in a care package. But now that I have been home, I still get those questions from friends and co-workers. So I thought about it, putting care packages aside, and came up with my list of things people can do to show support. This list goes way beyond the Yellow Ribbon and "Support Our Troops" Bumper stickers. It includes:

• Organizations that provide care packages for troops
• Websites with the mission to support our men and women in uniform
• Organizations that help wounded veterans get back to a normal life
• a few other misc fun things.

Let's go over these in a little more detail.

The first, most important organization in my opinion is the America Supports you program. America Supports You is a Department of Defense (DOD)initiative that provides opportunities for citizens to show their support for the US Armed Forces. The program was launched in 2004 in an effort to highlight citizen support for our military men and women and communicate that support to the members of our Armed Forces at home and abroad. it also connects individuals, organizations and companies to hundreds of homefront groups offering a variety of support to the military community. The program alsoconnects military service members and their families to homefront groups that provide assistance. America Supports You is an all around great organization! if you like to check out this program, The link is below:

One group of patriots we must never forget is our veterans who were wounded in action. Next to those who gave their lives for this nation, wounded vets rank at the top of my list of heros. One great organization who's mission it is to make sure our wounded Veterans are never forgotten is the Non-Profit Wounded Warrior Project. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. They wanted to provide tangible support for the severely wounded, helping them on the road to heal both physically and mentally. What they viewed as a small contribution compared with what the warriors had sacrificed, is now WWP's signature program; WWP backpacks delivered bedside to wounded warriors. WWP has since grown and works to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women. They also provide unique, direct programs and services to meet our wounded veterans needs. You can learn more about WWP at the link below....

Operation Home Front is a nationwide non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. They have chapters located in every state. They are always looking for donations and volunteers to assist with their various support projects. You can find out more and locate the chapter in your state, by visiting the main site: www.OperationHomeFront.net

One organization that stands above the rest in terms of getting care packages to the troops is AnySolder.com. AnySolder.com was started by an Army Infantry Soldier with the 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Iraq when to help care for his soldiers. He agreed to distribute packages that came to him with "Attn: Any Soldier" in his address to soldiers who didn't get mail. Anysolder has grown to into a very large support organization. You can learn more about AnySoldier.com by visiting their website below:

There are a couple of other great organizations that are worth a mention:

• Books for Soldiers - Provides books to soldiers that request them on-line.
• Yellow Ribbon Fund - program that assists our injured service members and their families while they recuperate at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center
• Operation Troop Aid - provides care packages for our deployed U.S. Service Members with revenue generated through professional concert promotions and public donations.

The above are all great programs that truly have the interests of our troops and veterans in mind. One other thing you can do show respect and thanks to our men and women of the armed forces. Let them know you appreciate their service with a simple thank you. It's that kind of sincerity and support that makes it really worth serving!