How to Support the United States Military and Soldiers

My husband and I both served in the United States Air Force.

We met and were married during our 4 years of service.

My husband fixed fighter jets and I worked in the hospital as a medic.

My family was one of many military families that were separated for a few months to a year at a time.

The time that a military family member is gone on tour is a very difficult time for both the soldier who has to go overseas and for their family members.

A soldier may not see his son or daughter being born, miss out on many family functions and feel very isolated.

There are many ways we can help support our troops at home and abroad.

Life in the US Military is a little easier when soldiers have support from the rest of the country.

Even little things can help.

Since there are more restrictions on what we can mail to military bases, you can now buy a pre-packaged care package and have it sent directly to a soldier or group of soldiers overseas.

You can find these on the Internet at places like:

www.anysoldier.com/

www.thesoldiersfamily.com/

packagesfromhome.org/

or just google 'care packages for troops to find many ways that you can buy and send a pre-approved care package.

Care packages include things like travel-sized hygiene products, snacks that they cannot find overseas, magazines, books, movies and travel-sized games.

I have seen them for as low as $15 per package which includes shipping and handling.

This may not be for everyone, but it is a free way to support our injured troops.

Give blood! It's quick, free and may save a soldiers life.

If you would like more information on blood donation locations and procedures, visit: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/ .

Through this site you can: find a donor station near you and make an appointment online.

One donation can save up to 3 soldiers lives!

It only takes about an hour to fill out the paperwork and give blood and it is free to do.

It is a great way to really support the troops in a way that will truly help them!

Soldiers and their families overseas cannot get their hands on grocery coupons the way we can in the United States.

Because of this, a Military Coupon Program helps to get coupons to our troops overseas.

The grocery coupons can still be used for 6 months past their expiration dates at overseas military commissaries.

A great site to visit is: https://www.mymilitarysavings.com/coupons .

They have information on how to get the coupons to the troops overseas.

They sort, package and ship the coupons that you have sent in overseas to troops and their families who can still use them.

It is a great way to clean out your coupon binder while helping the troops and it only costs you a little time and the cost of a stamp and envelope to send them in.

There are many organizations out there that you can donate money through to support our troops.

I found that if you buy 'Support Our Troops' wristbands through Amazon, the money you pay for the bracelet goes as a donation to the Fisher House Foundation.

They have some wonderful silicone wrist bands that include sayings like: "I Love a Soldier", "Support our Troops" , "I Love an Airman" and "I Love a Sailer".

The Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for illness, disease or injury.