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05-22-2006, 01:23 AM
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How can I really support the troops?
I'm not a big fan of this war (as many of you may know), and everyone who protests the war "supports the troops" because it is so PC to do that even during protests.
After seering a few documentaries I really got a great understanding for how brave and committed these guys and girls are to protecting pansies like us who won't go fight to protect this country. I also spent some time at the US customs house and while I sat there waiting, I realized our country for all its flaws is still pretty freaking cool, the amount of different people from different walks of life makes out country so unique and I appreciate the sacrifice of those who protect that way of life for all kinds of people and want to show support for them. So how can I as an individual support the troops? I found this site: http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/am...syou/help.html but there is just a lot there, has anyone done anything either with time or in the form of donations that I may be able to look into? 
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05-23-2006, 01:25 AM
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I am watching Bagdad ER on HBO. The human cost and suffering this war of occupation in Iraq is sobering. It really hits home when we get a window into the lives of these men and women and see them not just as casualty figures or numbers, but as precious, unique human beings with families, dreams, and hopes- every one.
If you ask most veterans and soldiers, when it comes down to it and the crap hits the fan, they are not fighting for a flag, but out of a sense of loyalty and duty to their brothers and sisters in arms, and to return home to the ones they love. Powerful stuff. I think the troops that often slip through the cracks are the ones who get severly injured then cannot function the same in society when they get back- either due to losing a limb or traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress. Even there in the Bagdad ER the one guy who had survived an IED explosion kept saying "Every time I close my eyes, I see it happen over and over again." Another guy was consoling his other injured buddies while his own thumb was hanging off. Now that man has courage. How can we best help? We can contribute to some of the veteran and family support groups; we can volunteer at a VA hospital; we can hold our policy makers accountable for the lives of these fine young men and women; and we can pray for safe return of the troops and above all for a lasting peace.
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Peace, John My Librarything . . . . "The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.
Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”" -Randy Pausch, from "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," also known as The Last Lecture Last edited by peacemover : 05-23-2006 at 01:36 AM.
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05-23-2006, 09:52 AM
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Wil -
My brothers always said that the hardest part of being away on assignment was the loneliness. So anything that you can do from letters to packages to make the troops feel less lonely is appreciated. I found this cool site while looking for cookies for my secretary one day - http://cookiesdirect.net/ - it's a cookie company in Maine that will send extra cookies to the troops when you order out with an extra $9. Also, the VFW sends phone cards to troops and vets - you v=can donate here. http://www.operationuplink.org/ The Red Cross accepts donations specifically earmarked for military at http://american.redcross.org/site/Pa...src=sourcecode - I happen to be biased towards Red Cross because they flew my brother home when my Mom went into a coma. And more locally, Wil, I think the Marine recruiting office on Ridge is collecting cell phones for troops. If you want to see the people that you can help, you can go to a local VA center, as peace suggested. When we were in law school, Madgirl and I called and asked for some names of folks who didn't receive much mail or many visitors. We brought them cards on Valentine's Day. The URL to find the VA center nearest you is http://www.va.gov/
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05-23-2006, 09:42 PM
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Thanks LM!
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05-23-2006, 10:44 PM
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My husband has said before that receiving packages while overseas is about the best thing, besides being home. Cookies are great, but remember that it's 130 degrees in Iraq during the summer.
MoveOn.org has a program where you can donate your frequent flyer miles to send troops home, also.
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http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/be30300653
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05-23-2006, 10:51 PM
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These are great ideas.
We contribute to http://www.Fisherhouse.org. Fisher House is like Ronald McDonald House for military and thier families. It provides a home away from home for the families and loved ones of soldiers who are undergoing rehabilitation or hospitalization due to illness, or injury. Whereas, otherwise the cost of accomodations would be prohibitive to the families, they can be there to for critical support. The website offers additional ways to help. Check it out.
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05-24-2006, 12:05 AM
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At church we've been sending care packages and cards to troops in Iraq through Red Cross. Every little bit helps I think.
Quote:
__________________
Peace, John My Librarything . . . . "The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.
Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”" -Randy Pausch, from "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," also known as The Last Lecture
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05-24-2006, 12:33 AM
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On the HBO resource site for BAGDAD ER, the have link to an organization called Fisher House, that helps families of injured troops receiving medical care at hospitals here in the U.S.
Here is a link: http://www.fisherhouse.org/ Here is the Bagdad ER site: http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/baghdader/index.html
__________________
Peace, John My Librarything . . . . "The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.
Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”" -Randy Pausch, from "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," also known as The Last Lecture
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05-24-2006, 10:05 PM
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