Today is National Military Appreciation Day. Do you know a soldier’s email address? Send him or her a nice e-card thanking him/her for his/her service and support! American Greetings has a nice selection in their Celebrate the Date section.
Also, don’t forget that the Friday before Mother’s Day (tomorrow!!!) is Military Spouse Appreciation Day!
(x-posted to Bama Angels)
This morning I was reading the latest entries in the Troops Support LinkedIn group, and a post by Gail grabbed me:
On Sunday I flew from Houston to Seattle and when checking in at the airport I noticed a group of soldiers getting ready to depart as well. As always, I went up to them, introduced myself and thanked them for their service and bravery. While visiting with them, I inquired where they were headed and most replied they were on their way to Iraq. I wished them God speed and to stay safe and that we would be praying for their safety. During our discussion, many of them told me how disappointed they were that more Americans didn’t support them and what they are doing. I replied that I believe the ’silent majority’ does support and believe in what they are doing. They said they sure wished that more people showed it.
I am making a PLEA to everyone who reads this message to please talk to everyone you know to get involved with organizations like Operation Home Front and many other wonderful organizations like that to constantly show their support and appreciation. I am also asking all of you to write letters to the editors of your newspapers asking ALL Americans to get involved in showing their love and support for these brave troops who put their lives on the line to keep us free.
PLEASE, PLEASE don’t just read this message and hope someone else steps up to the plate. If enough of us get to the media, it may finally begin to have some results.
Thanks,
Gail
There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. I think many people don’t realize how much our brave men and women need our support and love. They need to SEE us actively supporting them and proving that we do INDEED care! I see it too often, soldiers begging to be written, desperately wanting some form of contact from “back home” — a letter, a postcard, anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to let them know that we have NOT forgotten about them!
I am begging you … please consider joining an organization to show our troops that we love and support them. Soldiers’ Angels is the organization for whom I volunteer my efforts and spare time, they do a tremendous amount of good work. As mentioned in Gail’s post, so does Operation Home Front. There are so many people trying doing so much good, and let’s face it, they can ALL use some help!
Here are a list that I keep on the Bama Angels site for those looking for other organizations to help:
Please PLEASE consider joining one of these organizations and doing your part to give our troops the support they so desperately need! There is so much that we can do … consider writing to your local papers, call or email the larger (tv/cable) media companies.
It’s time to show them what REAL SUPPORT is!!
Having been born and raised in this country, sometimes it’s too easy to take for granted exactly how good I have it as compared to other parts of the world. As an American citizen, I have many rights that others do not. One of which is the first amendment. Ratified on December 15, 1791, the Amendment states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I was reading a post by Jane Novak today about a prominent pro-democracy journalist in Yemen who is facing a jail sentence again for simply printing the truth, and speaking his mind.
Renowned journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is one of Yemen’s most prominent democracy advocates - for which he has paid a steep price. His paper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. He is now due to be sentenced on May 21 for “insulting the president” and “demoralizing the military.”
During his arrest in June of 2007, Al-Khaiwani was beaten and his six-year-old daughter slapped unconscious. While released on bail in August, Al-Khaiwani was kidnapped and tortured by thugs who threatened his life if he continued to write about Yemen’s president.
As al-Khaiwani’s sentencing approaches, there is growing fear a guilty verdict will open the door for a brutal crackdown on Yemen’s already-endangered journalistic community. Join with al-Khawiani’s supporters in Yemen and throughout the world as we urge the Yemeni government not to imprison journalists for their work.
Al-Khaiwani stands on principle for free speech. When he was arrested in 2004 (for “insulting the president”), prison guards broke his jaw — yet he still refused to agree to stop writing. In June of 2007, he was re-arrested on similar charges and dragged outside in his underwear. After being released on bail, he abducted by gunmen who broke his fingers threatened to kill him if he “wrote another word against the president or national unity.”
Civil rights advocates inside Yemen and abroad believe the charges against al-Khaiwani are unsubstantiated and simply punishment for his critical reporting. In fact, one of the main pieces of evidence used against him by prosecutors is an unpublished article criticizing Yemen’s president.
At the behest of my Cotillion sister, I urge you to simply send a letter. It’s pre-filled, and you can opt-in for updates if you want, as well as choose to hide your information on the ’signed’ listings. (For updates you can read Jane’s blog and get other news — like the latest on the USS Cole bombers.)
As I hear it, this is due to get some major media coverage in the region, so every bit of support is needed. All it takes is just one minute of your time to click and send the letter.
(let me know if I’m missing anyone!)
I ran across a post in the Alabama Soldiers’ Angels forums from Lisa regarding the upcoming Armed Forces Day (May 17th). Gathering of Eagles is planning to set aside that day to “visit as many recruiter offices as we can and to pay some type of tribute to them,” calling it Operation Recruiter Appreciation.
An excellent idea! Recruiting is a tough and sometimes thankless job and we want to make sure that these hardworking men and women know that they are appreciated!
If you are interested in helping, contact Lisa at hottie0427 @ hotmail.com (remove the spaces before emailing).
To find your local recruiting offices, go to: www.todaysmilitary.com/contact-a-recruiter
I plan on hitting a couple recruiters’ offices around the Birmingham metro area Friday, May 16th. Will you join me in thanking our recruiters for their service to our country?
It’s no secret I’m a huge PostSecret fan. One of the postcards listed in today’s edition broke my heart:
From hearing from my own adopted soldiers, and friends and family who’ve served or are still serving, I can only imagine how that soldier feels. It’s got to be one of the worst things in the world — feeling forgotten, unloved.
I hope whoever that card was meant to reach got the message. But how many others are out there feeling the same way?
At the Magnolia Festival yesterday, something struck me as I explained to those who came by the booth about Soldiers’ Angels and what we do — there are so many here who want to help, but have no idea where to go or how to get started. I had a large stack of cards with the Soldiers’ Angels web address and our mission statement on them, and gave out every single one.
A few stopped to look at the binder of pictures and testimonials I had. One that the binder contained was this:
“Mail is more important than even hot showers or hot food. When I was in Fallujah, the mail center received about eight shipping containers every two days; three were filled with letters. People at home probably have no idea how much their little cards, letter and goodie bags boost morale. Countless walls around Iraq are wallpapered with cards and letters. Soldiers and marines especially love the cards from kids. There is nothing better over here than reading two-dozen cards from kids who can barely hold a crayon. If a kid sends a card, rest assured that card will be stuck in a wall somewhere, and it will bring a smile to many a soldiers and marine.”
- author Michael Yon, Moment of Truth in Iraq
It’s such a simple thing and yet it means the world to someone a thousand miles away. If you are interested, please visit www.soldiersangels.org and help us support those who are deployed throughout the world defending and protecting the freedoms we cherish.
(x-posted to Bama Angels)
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