It's not too late to send greetings to U.S. troops

Valley Press ^ | December 16, 2003. | RICH BREAULT

[BenLurkin]

It's too late to send a Christmas package to loved ones or other American troops deployed abroad and have them receive it before Christmas, but it's not too late to send them season's greetings and show your support. The Defense Department urges the public not to send mail, care packages or donations to service members deployed to a forward area unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend.

People are encouraged to show support by logging on to the following Web sites to send greeting cards, virtual "thank you" cards and calling card donations: www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html; www.usocares.org/home.htm; or www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html.

You also may send electronic holiday greetings to U.S. troops via www.operationdearabby.net.

If you want to help America's soldiers by providing them with some peace of mind, consider participating in the "Gift of Groceries" program, through which you can buy gift certificates for military families that can be used at Defense Commissary Agency stores.

Created through a business agreement with CertifiChecks Inc., the program allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates via the DeCA Web site at www.commissaries.com, or by calling toll-free (877) 770-4438.

The certificates are good in any of DeCA's 280 stores worldwide.

A donation to Operation Uplink will help keep military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their loved ones by providing free phone cards.

Operation Uplink uses donations to purchase phone cards, then distributes them to servicemen and women.

For more information, visit www.operationuplink.org.

Another way Americans can support armed forces personnel is through "Operation Hero Miles," in which travelers can donate frequent flier miles to help troops on leave from Iraq reach their final destinations at home.

Service members participating in the two-week rest and recuperation leave program are flown free to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany; Baltimore-Washington International Airport; Dallas-Fort Worth; or Atlanta by the Defense Department, but must pay for connecting flights to and from those ports.

The following airlines are participating in "Operation Hero Miles" - AirTran Airways, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Midwest, PanAm, Southwest, United and US Airlines.

To donate frequent flier miles, go to www.heromiles.org.

[Coop]

Bump for a great post!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Will You help keep the Candle Lit for our service men and women?
Can you spare a few moments today to either
e-mail them or learn about sending packages to them for the holidays?
Many of them are away from home for the 1st time.
PLEASE Click on the graphic and help cheer them up.
You will stay right where you are on this thread while you write them.
Thank You
Postmaster
USO Canteen FReeper Style Post Office

[veronica]

BTTT.

[veronica]

BTTT.

[veronica]

BTTT.

[veronica]

BTTT.

[apackof2]

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS bump

[armymarinemom]

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!

The Blue Star Mothers troop support forum is viewable but offline to posts for several more hours. We are moving to a larger site.

[Kitten1]

Great post!!

I just donated 2 care packages and added another donation to the USO.

I come from a very military family and have much love and pride in our armed forces.

Mssss. Sawyer made me so mad, I added a donation to Bush-Cheney. God help us if liberals/socialists regain power in 2004 or ever.

[knighthawk]

A tip for how to thank the troops

Middle East list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[keri]

Thanks very much for this ping, knighthawk. (and, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, BenLurkin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's too late to send a Christmas package to loved ones or other American troops deployed abroad and have them receive it before Christmas, but it's not too late to send them season's greetings and show your support.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ping for a handy source to many easy ways to thank the troops using the internet.

Other ways to help:

Mail our DC Freepers. They will deliver your phone cards, etc., to our wounded troops at Walter Reed.

TruthNtegrity, MJY1288 and many other Freepers are visiting WR, giving their time, bringing food, magazines, rally threads...filling requests, showing them that we care. Read their regular reports for updates on the needs of our wounded troops. They ~ and the  troops ~ will need our help long after Christmas: Y Holiday Appeal for Walter Reed Hospital Soldiers ~ JOE GALLOWAY

Send a message to a wounded Soldier:   http://www.caringbridge.org/wounded/heroes/

[TruthNtegrity]

Thanks for the "caringbridge" link. You know these wounded soldiers have a special place in my heart.

[blackie]

Ping for a handy source to many easy ways to thank the troops using the internet ~ Bump!

[VOA]

bump

[proud American in Canada]

Thanks from a procrastinator!

I still would like to send a few phone cards. It's okay if it's late. People still like to make phone calls in January. :)

[windchime]

Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!