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. |
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. |
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