The holidays are over, but let's hope good will still prevails. Resolutions are made and people try to change their lives by making good and healthy decisions. Many will keep those resolutions and at least try to stop smoking, find a diet they can live with, seek anger control help, and discover other ways that will make their lives and those of their families better.
Across the ocean, our military has settled back into the day by day battles to ensure our freedom. One soldier made the statement, "Freedom is not free". That simple statement should bring home to everyone the fact that to stay free means sacrifice from all sides. The families who have to say goodbye to loved ones leaving to go into danger feel heartache, worry and pride. The troops feel pride because they are doing what their country has asked of them. The friends, neighbors and cities and towns that these brave troops leave behind are not untouched. They, too, feel pride and worry as they watch their sons and daughters climb aboard buses, trains and planes. The question always remains, hidden though it may be, will they come home safe?
These brave souls who are defending our freedom need to be remembered every day. It is not hard to do this. Prayer each day for the safety and swift end to this conflict can be done by all caring citizens. A simple card sent to those who never receive mail is as good as a "hug" to the lonesome. There are sites that will send needed and wanted items to the soldiers who do not have family back home. These packages can be claimed on your Income Tax. The cards are free and drawn by kids in different schools. I admit I was a little disappointed because there were no Christmas Cards. However, the site is still new so perhaps Holiday cards will be featured in the future.
You do not have to know a soldier to send a card or package. The card site is one that has a list of soldiers who do not receive mail from home. The site will designate each card to one of the troops. All that is required is for you to pick out the card you want sent, sign it, and that's it! It is a free service and well worth the few minutes it takes to do this. But the happiness that lonesome soul will feel is priceless.
I would suggest bookmarking these sites and try to return at least once a week to send a card. The warm glow that you will feel is indescribable. The soldier receiving your card may never meet you, but he/she will never forget the act of kindness that you have extended.
http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home.html
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Comments: 28
I have several friends over there now and know several others and I tell them all the same thing, "Keep your head down, don't do anything stupid, and let us know if you need anything."
Bring them home in one piece as soon as possible.
I'm scared to death that as people decide the war should end they'll turn against the troops doing the fighting. That's what happened during the Vietnam war, with terrible results. It really broke my heart. I don't like this war, I don't think we are winning it, and I agree with those who feel that the president needs to consider rational ways to solve our problems and bring the war to an end in a reasonable amount of time, but I'm certainly not going to turn against those we have sent to Iraq to fight it. We have to continue to support them and care for them.
I will definitely be visiting these sites and doing whatever I can to show them my support.
Meanwhile, when no one here at home is suffering for the cause, the least we can do is support our troops with gifts, thoughts and prayers.
The men and women over there need to know we support them and are proud of them. A solution to the problem needs to be found so that the troops can come home in victory, not the shame many felt at the end of Viet Nam. So far, we have walked away from Korea, Viet Nam and possibly Iraq. Look at what happened to Korea and Viet Nam since we just up and left. The Iraqi people are terrified that we will do the same to them. When they realize that we are willing to stay and help them, I believe they will come out fighting.
I will definately send something.
At the same time we need to shame the politicians who work night and day to demoralize and undermine them at every juncture.
This world is a dangerpous place thank God we have brave men and women who step up to the plate and protect our nation.
Onan and Meryl, I share your concerns. I think this war needs to end, but not by just pulling out and leaving those innocent people open to more tyranny.
Randy thank you for your support. I feel sure this cause will strike a chord in you and you will want to share it with others. I can't imagine how it must feel to be in a foreign country and have no contact with anyone in the states. The loneliness must be extreme.
Debbie, I know you are very proud of your nephew. Thank God he made it home safe. Another one of our brave Heroes. Please thank him for his service and tell him he is appreciated.
George, there is no amount of money that can make up for what the troops are doing for America. Personally, I blame the Liberals and Conservatives equally for not raising the pay for the troops, and for not giving them the proper equipment that was so definitely needed. However, we can show them in small ways by sending packages and cards, how much America appreciates them.
Thank you Ruth. If I remember, you were in the service at one time? I just don't believe we can support our troops TOO much. Every card and package that is sent is greatly appreciated, as are the letters they receive from the different schools.
One soldier, on leave for Christmas, paid a visit to a classroom that he had been corresponding with. The kids were so excited they could hardly sit in their seats. It was one of those kind of news events that makes you smile all the way through.
Christine, I understand there are a lot more of these soldiers than we realize. It is easier to picture each one of them with family and friends who send cookies, candies, etc. to them, but the truth is there are many who have no one to support or encourage them. It is very sad.
Martha, I do believe they have a site for Canadians. I really don't remember which site it was on, but it shouldn't be hard to find.
Keith, thank you, and I fully agree. They are serving and giving their lives for our freedom, the least that can be done is to honor them and show our respect.
http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer
Zelda, I appreciate the link for disabled veterans. They need our respect and help. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Kay, thanks for signing up on one of the links. The appreciation from the Troops is well worth it.
Anne, sorry you got so excited you spilled your coffee! *smile* Seriously, thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting.
In case any one is interested, they are some very good "soldier blogs" on line. I did not write down the addresses, but you can find them through Google. They also have sites for each of the Service Branches.
I think I can safely say this, and that for every purchase from the servicemen's and women's page I take out $2.00 and that money goes to sending "Care Packages" to our servicemen who are serving our country in Iraq, so please, anyone interested, just give me an e-mail and I'll give you the address.
Thank you for these addresses, because I'd rather send care packages to our servicemen and women who get nothing from family back here in the states.
We did this during the first Gulf War and sent out over 150 letters, cards and gift boxes (initially) and then just kept doing it. We had the good fortune to meet one of the people who we'd been sending and writing to after he came home, and it was great.
I had relatives in Vietnam, and like you said, the welcome homes weren't very good in many places - but being in a very small town, our town turned out at the airport in the next town over and nobody could ever tell from "our" welcome home, that anyone wouldn't be proud of them - we sure were and still are.
This war, I've not been able to find the links, so thanks so much for sharing them. This war is our sons friends war and he's got two (married to each other) that are deployed routinely. The wife is gone again, her 5th time in Iraq at least, her husband has been over in Iraq and Afghanistan at least 6-7 times and they may be National Guard but they go willingly, as they believe in our great country and we sure believe and pray for them!
Hugs,
Marilyn :)
Marilyn, that is wonderful that your church group sent out cards and letters to our Troops during the Vietnam War. I am glad you can use these addresses above to continue on with your dedication to the lonely men and women who are so far from home. Thank you.
Sue, thank you for reading my article and leaving a comment. This is a very worthwhile cause that will be appreciated by a lot of lonely men and women. Your email group has the right idea.
OK, so we thought the poodle dogs were being mistreated by our neighbor keeping them behind a fence. We used our hammer and crowbar to pull down the fence. Turns out there weren't poodles, but rather the dogs of war.
We can't just run home now and leave the dogs to ravage our neighbors.
It is our fault they are out.
We need to keep them at bay as we rebuild an appropriate containment. But mark my words, we need to hold the idiots that suggested tearing down the fence, totally accountble for our losses since then, as well as any dogbites on our neighbors.