Whether or not you support the war in Iraq, I’m certain every single American supports the troops who fight so valiantly on our behalf. The coming holidays, particularly, can be a dismal and lonely event for those who are so far away from their families. Three of my close friends have sons overseas, and these youngsters have told me how depressed they become as the holidays approach.
You can make the time away from home and loved ones easier with a couple of Internet clicks, and you don’t have to spend a cent
The Internet makes it easy to put a sparkle in a soldier’s eyes and let him/her know you care. Here are a few sites and brief descriptions of what each will do:
www.hbo.com/generationkill/: HBO will donate on your behalf a slew of products to a soldier. The list of products was compiled by soldiers and includes such items as prepaid phone cards, Bengay, Band Aid Bandages, magazines, deodorant, and so much more. All it takes is a couple of mouse clicks.
www.letssaythanks.com: Xerox has teamed up with this site, which allows you to choose a card design and send it to one of our troops. Three easy clicks that can make a difference.
www.soldiersangels.com: you can adopt a soldier and email him encouragement. This site takes donations, but it is not a requirement.
www.americasupportsyou.com: you can send emails, donate frequent flyer miles, send a gift card, a phone card (very popular), care packages, and much more.
anysoldier.com: you can send common household items to a particular soldier. Click on the soldier’s name, and pick the items you can match. Some are as simple as wet wipes.
www.freewebs.com: you can send socks, coffee, tea, and much more. You mail the package to New York, where it loaded onto a military plane.
booksforsoldiers.com: you can join a forum and chat over the internet with actual troop members, and donate used books. Boredom is a primary cause of depression for our military.
www.asoldierswishlist.org: you can see adopt a soldier and communicate with him. This site also will send care packages on your behalf, but it is not necessary. This site also has great links to other sites.
troopssupport.com www.blackfive.net: These are two wonderful sites with a listing of all non-profit organizations, which support our troops.
Make the effort.
Think of how you would feel if your child was in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Hooking up a teenager with a soldier is a wonderful outlet for any youngster who’s struggling with the angst of adolescence. Try it with a troubled teen -- the contact might help him/her focus on life’s true priorities.
Give a soldier a reason to survive.
Make a difference.
If anyone has any problems with any of the above sites, please email me listing the errors you’re encountering. In addition, if anyone knows of other sites, which should be listed, please email the URL, and I’ll try to add it.
JC