Serve Your Country: Support the Troops
Supporting the troops does not have to be a political statement. In fact, it’s a
patriotic gesture that we can all afford to put into practice.

There are a number of ways to support the troops, some having a larger
impact than others.  We all see the magnets and bumper stickers on cars that
say “Support the Troops” or “Support our Marines” or other branches of the
service.  The magnets and bumper stickers cost about 3.00 each and show
your community you support the troops. Before you purchase a magnet or
bumper sticker, make sure the profit made from the sale will actually go to
support the troops in some fashion. Unfortunately there are people lining their
pockets on the sweat of our troops the and patriotism of our citizens.

There are other avenues to support the troops that can cost very little, pay
enormous returns to you and give something to the troops who are the most
in need.

Volunteering your time to write cards and letters to injured troops has an
amazing impact on the morale of the injured and truly helps in their healing. It
also helps the families of these men and women to know that people do care
that LCpl. Mike lost an arm or SSgt. Anne was severely burned while serving
their country. Their recoveries will take months if not years, and moral
support is essential to their mental well-being. More and more service
members are in need of these organizations to help them and the need will
probably continue for years to come. Organizations such as my favorite,
Soldier's Angels or the USO, the American Red Cross, Operation Care
Package, Operation Hero Miles, Fisher House, Semper Fi Fund, Wounded
Warriors Organization and Camp.Doha.org all serve to support our nations
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. It’s important to note that people
looking for Pen-Pals should not expect return mail from any soldier, sailor,
airmen or Marine deployed to a war zone or hospitalized for any reason. If
they wish to reply that‘s an added bonus, but it should never be a requirement.

After September 11, 2001; due to security concerns, the Department of
Defense suspended programs that mailed care packages and or letters to
“any soldier.”  Programs that are not practicing secure methods should be
avoided. If the organization is posting names and address of deployed
soldiers, sailors and Marines, avoid them. If packages do make their way to
deployed troops without a specific name, they are left unopened due to
security issues.  

“America Supports You”,  a Department of Defense initiative lists numerous
organizations that do a good job of keeping our troops safe and getting them
items they need while deployed and at home. Some organizations are better
than others though so you might want to do some research on your own
before donating or participating.

One thing to look for when deciding who to donate or volunteer your time to is
501(c) (3) charitable organization status and if you can find out what
percentage they spend on administration and what actually goes to the troops,
all the better. Some organizations make this information public although you
may have to dig a little to find it.  Soldier's Angels has this information located
in plain sight on their website.
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=financials  Avoid sending donations
to organizations that are not forthright with this information or you may be
paying for many things that don’t directly benefit our troops. You should also
verify their tax identification number through the IRS at the following toll free
number 877-829-5500.  

Stay away from organizations that “sell” care packages filled with frilly
nonessential items such as Teddy Bears or contain only one or two items. A
large USPS Flat Rate Priority box can be sent to any FPO or APO for 11.95
regardless of weight. An an organization that is mindful of costs will fill the box
to capacity with items the soldiers, sailors or Marines can really use.

One other very important thing you can do to support the troops is raise
money for any of these wonderful charities. Many private clubs throughout the
country have charity events, such as golf tournaments, spaghetti feeds, walk
or run-a -thons, and even bake sales. The ideas are limitless. Motor cycle
clubs, bowling leagues, church bazaars and high school community
awareness events are all likely candidates for organizing events to help
support the troops and serve their country in the process. Veterans
Associations are always willing to pitch in and help raise money for causes
that support our troops.

We can’t all serve our country in uniform, but we can all serve in other ways.
School children can draw pictures and write letters while learning that
patriotism is not politics. Seniors living in nursing facilities or retired at home
can write letters or help with charity events.  

Almost everyone can do something. Let’s see what you can do.
Have a current APO or
FPO address and contact
name for the unit you are
sending packages. You
may NOT send packages
to “Any Soldier.” They will
be rejected.

Have a large storage
facility where volunteers
will have room to organize
and box the supplies.

Make sure your fliers are
clear about what can and
cannot be sent to the
foreign country you’re
mailing to.

Remove inappropriate
items.  (USPS will be able
to help with this if you don’
t know what is
inappropriate.) And give
people plenty of notice so
you have a better turn out.
Customs forms must be
filled out for EVERY
package.

USPS will deliver free to
your home or office, flat
rate priority boxes and
customs forms.

One flat rate package
filled to capacity will cost
11.95 to send as of May
2008. Be sure to have
enough money for
postage.

It’s okay and highly
recommended to put a
note in each care
package. Ask your local
elementary, middle or
high school to write
letters. (Screen the letters
for appropriateness
before sending,) Do not
expect return letters.

Save the home-baked
goods for the families to
send unless you know
the tricks, the service
member may end up with
a zip lock bag full of
powder or a moldy
chocolate mess.