10 Ways to Thank our Military Troops

Want to show troops overseas you're thankful for their service?

At Thanksgiving and Christmastime, gifts to the troops rise, said Lt. Col. Cynthia Colin, a Department of Defense spokeswoman. They're expecting another spike around Valentine's Day, and had requests from the troops to try and get mass mailings of Girl Scout Cookies overseas.

But since 9/11, controls on what Americans can do for the troops have tightened - for instance, the mass mailing of Girl Scout Cookies is a no-go, Colin said.

"But there are still lots of opportunities out there to show support for the troops," she said. Here's a list of 10 things you can do:

1. Get to know a young soldier stationed in your hometown: To protect troops from unwanted or dangerous mailings, people can no longer send gifts, food or books addressed "to any soldier." So get to know a few specifically. Many local military communities have programs where you can host a dinner for young stationed soldiers. Then, when that soldier goes, you'll have a person to support overseas. Often, the best contact to start a program, or ask about a local support program, is the base's public affairs office.

2. Call base family-support offices to see if families with spouses deployed are in need of help. Often, a donated oil change or home repair can make a big difference in a family's life.

3. Pick up copies of local base newspapers. They often have listings of community events and volunteer projects to get involved in.

4. Donate a calling card to help service members keep in touch with their families. You can do so at http://www.operationuplink.org

5. Sign a virtual thank-you card at http://www.defendamerica.mil

6. Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby at http://anyservicemember.navy.mil or http://www.operationdearabby.net

7. Make a donation to one of the military relief societies;
Army: http://www.aerhq.org
Navy/Marines: http://www.nmcrs.org
Air Force: http://www.afas.org
Coast Guard: http://www.cgmahq.org

8. Volunteer at a VA hospital, to show support for veterans of America's past conflicts.

9. Donate to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services: http://www.redcross.org/services/afes

10. Don't send mass mailings to any one member for distribution. It clogs the military mail system.

February 6, 2003
By TARA COPP, Scripps Howard News Service

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