Sunday, November 9, 2008

Military Service

Service and sacrifice are code words for the brave men and women serving in our armed services. They signed up for the tough duty so we could enjoy the freedoms associated with being an American; so that we could rest easy and not worry about the dangers lurking out there in the world. No matter how you feel about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who are serving in those foreign fronts far away from loved ones. Why not take Veterans Day - Tuesday November 10th - to educate yourself about veteran's issues, or even to thank someone for his or her service. Here are some ideas of things you can do:
  1. Watch this CBS Sunday Morning video about a grand thank you effort.
  2. Go to this or one of many other websites to send an e-card to an injured vet or active-duty military personnel. Here's another one.
  3. Check out a documentary in the works called Veterans' Affairs.
  4. Read Ben Stein's book The Real Stars, or watch this video interview about it with Fox News or read his commentary here.
  5. If you know someone who is serving, you can send them an Easter Seals e-card here.
  6. This Department of Defense site has stories, information about sending care packages, donating frequent flier miles and more.
  7. Consider a donation to or other support for Operation Homefront - helping military families here at home.
  8. Help provide a scholarship for a military child.
  9. Take it further by adopting a soldier, not just on Veteran's Day. This site provides lists of specific wants and needs of "any soldier" serving overseas.
  10. As the holidays are approaching, consider participating in a program that sends cards, gifts and letters from home to soldiers who won't "be home for Christmas." Here is one.
Have you thought about the war lately? Me either. Because we are fortunate enough not to have to. Show your appreciation to a soldier who wakes up thinking about it, eats meals on the run and goes to bed at night to the sound of fighting around him.