How to Support Your Soldier

My cousin Jim has just been sent out for training to go overseas to Iraq. I figure by August he will be on his way and that means everyone has enough time to save up and stand behind him. Here are some excellent suggestions that can be applied to any and every soldier you need to show you care and appreciate the sacrifices they are making for your freedoms.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passion
• Dedication
• Creativity
• A Lil footwork

1. Film normal family life and send it to him in emails. Film family functions so the servicemember doesn't have to feel like he or she missed out. Get the family or your neighborhood involved in a Care Package Chain for each month they are away. Distribute the following list of essentials and favorites so they always have items they need and love. Collect appropriate jokes on the internet or from friends and make a booklet so they can laugh when they need to. Send news clippings and pictures of motivation, support and news about good things the service is doing overseas. It helps them remember what they are apart of. Make a CD of funny songs, new music, songs with a message of support or from memories. They have a lot of time and new music is a piece of home. Send magazines they can read and share. Organize a 'Thinking of You' or 'Thank You' note card shower. Have everyone send a card by a certain date. Send a journal and have the servicemember start a Gratitude Journal. Have them write one thing they are thankful for each day.
2. Frisbees and baseballs are great for killing time. Make a funny list of ways to get time to pass faster. If you are involved in the Elks, Legion or Shriners...each group has a special way to pay tributes, sign the member up for each one. Fly flags with yellow ribbon at each family house to show the neighborhood you are supporting a troop. Ask everyone for their stash of hotel samples and send them over. Ask local casinos to donate playing cards. Ask insurance and real estate agents to donate calendars. Ask dentists to donate brushes, wash, floss and paste samples. Sign you troop up to be an Adopt A Soldier to get penpal letters from children groups. Sign up for ProjectHomefront.org and help families left behind with yardwork or housekeeping. Join Amillionthanks.org-a thank you note campaign for the troops. Set the member up as a Cause on myspace or facebook and print out the pages and send them to the member showing online support.
3. Donate used cellphones to Cellphones for Soldiers-they sell the phones and buy phone cards. Sign up for MilitaryMascot.org-fostercare a pet for a soldier, greet and help pets get thru customs at airports, or sponsor a pet being fostered. Check with your local USO at your local Airport and find out if you can set up a greeting for homecoming soldiers. Some have no one to meet them when they get home. Sew blankets for wounded soldiers by emailing- [e-mail]. Join soldierangels.org and send love to soldiers that don't get the same support as your soldier. Its like being the left out child at summer camp at mailcall.(only your risking your life) Have a toy drive for Iraqi kids at Christmas. Join Operation Honey Do and help families around the house. You would be suprised how much needs to be done when you are alone with three kids and no break. Donate frequent flyer miles at heromiles.org so families and soldiers can see each other. OperationHomefront.org is the reserve version of support for families left behind. Buy gift certificates for commissaries anywhere in the world-
   
   http://www.certifichecks.com/cqi-local/SoftCart.exe/military_list.htm?E+scstore
   
   Homes for Our Troops-Help rebuild houses for wounded troops so they can adapt to their new life. They accept building materials. Any and every organization needs office help, advertising, researchers, and people to stuff envelopes...donate time. Have the neighborhood make welcome home signs. Send your troop a pizza at gipizza.com. By things from ShopforCharityDay.com everything goes to charity in one way or another.
4. LATEST LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED
   
   Food:
   Fruit Rollups Jerky/SlimJims Hard Pretzels
   Wrapped Gum Hard Candy Granola Bars
   Power Bars Individual Cookies Trail Mix
   Dried Fruit Ramen/CupOSoup Salted Peanuts
   Tea Bags Hot Chocolate Pkts Pumpkin Seeds
   Ready to Eat Jello/Pudding/Fruit Cups
   Non Chocolate Girl Scout Cookies
   Ground Coffee Instant Drink Mix Chex Mix
   Cheese n Crackers Packs Instant Oatmeal
   Condiments and Spices Tuna in Pouches
   Plastic Bottles of Salad Dressing
   Individual Cereals and Shelf stable Milk
   Rice Krispie Treats
   
   Toiletries(TRAIL SIZE)
   Baby wipes Cough Drops Hand Sanitizer
   Breath Mints Disp. Razors Dental Floss
   Shampoo Hair Gel Combs/Brushes
   Soap Deodorant Qtips
   Eye drops Band Aids Lip Balm
   Moleskin Baby Powder Mouthwash
   Tissues SPF45 Block Zinc
   Vitamin E DEET/Bug Spray Dust Mask
   Lotions Foot Powder Nasal Spray Toothpaste/Brush Nail Clippers/Files/Emeryboards
   Feminine Hygiene(even for guys)
   Cotton Balls Tylenol Shoe Insoles
   
   Entertainment
   aa and c batteries disposible cameras
   USA flags pens+pencils stationary/envelopes
   plastic coated playing cards dominos
   yo-yo's electronic games+gadgets
   magazines crosswords/word search
   nerf footballs day planners/calendars
   whiffle balls paperback books
   mini board games frisbees hackeysacks
   portable cd player cds, dvds, video games
   
   Other-
   small flashlights ziploc, gallon size
   bandanas prepaid phonecards
   duct tape white cotton socks
   black wool socks generic sunglasses
   fly paper and swatters sports equipment
   toys/school supplies for Iraqi children

Tips & Warnings

• Anything helps, you can make a small change or small contribution and make a big difference to someone.
• You don't have to support the war to support the troops.
• Say thank you to anyone in a uniform, they don't hear it as often as they should.
• Don't involve politics in loving the troops providing for your freedom. They don't want to hear they are sacrificing their lives for the wrong reason. They just need support in their decision to leave home. They are out there for the safety of each other.