Giving Back to Our Troops
Television shows like Extreme Home Makeover and Oprah’s Big Give are doing a great job supporting our troops and their loved ones who need help. However, this is not enough. There is simply not enough focus on giving back to our military families that need our help.
Shows like Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Oprah Winfrey’s The Big Give, are getting it right, giving back to our soldiers.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition is known for its tear jerking episodes by building beautiful new homes and giving incredibly generous gifts to deserving families. Their choices of recipients are those that are in dire need of help, like: families with handicapped or sick children; families that are poverty stricken; families with single parents; families that give back to their community; and families that have been victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.
Oprah’s new show, The Big Give, has also stepped up by engaging ten volunteers to compete by giving to the same types of families. In the first three weeks, the contestants have done an incredible job of acquiring generous gifts and financial assistance to families who need it.
The one type of family that these shows have not forgotten, are U.S. military families. On many occasions Extreme Makeover has helped families of the armed forces who were struggling to make ends meet. A few months ago, Ty Pennington led his team to help a brave former Marine, who was injured in the line of duty. A few weeks ago, they built a new home for a National Guardsman who is still stationed in Iraq. He left to serve our country leaving everything behind including his wife, children, a home under construction and unpaid bills.
During the first two weeks of Oprah’s show, each episode featured at least one military family. In the first show a soldier arrived home after serving our country with no job and no home. He received a place to live and financial help. In the second week, one contestant helped a soldier who returned home injured and without benefits or health insurance, by giving him cash and a party. Hopefully there are more big gives like these still to come.
It is incredibly moving to see troops, who need help, receive well-deserved financial support. Every day soldiers leave their families, laying their lives on the line, to protect and defend our freedoms. While they are gone many of the families are back home struggling to make ends meet while living in substandard conditions with very little money. Some soldiers then return home to situations like: no home, no job, no money and no means to support their family. Scenarios like these are unfathomable and incomprehensible. I cannot think of more deserving families to give beautiful homes and gifts too. We cannot forget our troops and their loved ones that are in need.
Support for our military seems to be greater than it ever has, especially compared to the Viet Nam War. In the past few years, especially since 9/11 and the beginning of the Iraq War, there have been wonderful tributes expressed through beautiful, heart wrenching emails. These certainly need to keep going. All of our soldiers need to know we are behind them.
Unfortunately, in some situations, this is not enough. It seems as though too many military families are forgotten and neglected when they need help. Compared to other noteworthy causes, military families are not considered a very high priority. This is wrong.
I am by no means minimizing the other recipients that television shows and charities give to, especially those victimized by natural disasters or who have sick children. But, when soldiers leave their families behind, with very little financial stability and no decent housing, something needs to be done. And when they return to even less: no job, no benefits, no decent housing, and no money, those that are able to need to step up and help. We simply cannot forget about our troops in need. Quite honestly, I just cannot grasp how they are allowed to come home to those conditions in the first place. It is appalling.
There has been a lot of media hype and publicity surrounding famous entertainers who travel the world donating their time and money to families and children of third world countries. I think these charities and contributions are absolutely necessary and surely need to carry on. The pain and suffering that goes on in these places is unimaginable, especially when it comes to children. Charity like this portrays our freedom and generosity. It indicates how giving of a nation we truly are.
However, my message is this, do not forget our own. Do not forget that we are able to travel all over the world helping those in need because our military keeps us free. As Toby Keith’s song, American Soldier tells us, “Freedom don’t come free.”
So, when those who are in a position to give, are in a giving mood, don’t forget about our military families who are left behind for months at a time, or those that are left behind forever because their loved ones were killed in the line of duty. We need to take care of our own as well as others.
For those that want to admonish this plea because they feel the wars we are involved in are wrong and unjust, remember this. You do not have to support the war, but it is our civic duty and responsibility to support our military and their families. To further paraphrase Toby Keith’s song, we sleep in peace because they are out there protecting us.
I think we underestimate how many men, women and children of our military actually need our help. If we take a step back and think about it, we probably know and have been touched by more military people than we realize. As of April 2007 we had over 1.4 million soldiers on active duty and another 1.4 million in the reserves. This should give you some idea of the magnitude of this civilian call to arms. Remember, just because the military friends and family you know don’t need help, it doesn’t mean others don’t.
I am not rich. I do not have tons of money to give. But, I do have a voice and an ability to write. Plain and simple, something more needs to be done for our men and women of military service who need help, especially by those out there who are able.
I was asked a while back who my heroes were. My reply was this. Any man or woman, who puts their life on the line every day to protect our freedoms, is a hero; especially those who sacrifice everything they have without fanfare or complaints. So, every time I watch a show that gives to men and women of our military I am seeing my heroes being justly rewarded and honored.
The bottom line is, let’s make sure we do not forget about our men, women and families of the military. They give to us every day of their lives. The least we can do is give something back when they need it.
To all of my friends and family who have ever served or continue to serve in the military; to those soldiers I have met in my travels, and to those I do not know, this is for you. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. You are all our true heroes. You are why we can sleep in peace tonight. God Bless you!
Below is a list of my family and friends of the U.S. Armed Forces. I’m sure there are many more who I have forgotten or just do not know about. I have tremendous respect for all of them, and they need to know they are appreciated and that they helped inspire this article:
Nicholas Brancaccio (Great Uncle): Army – WWII (D-Day Normandy Beach) & Korean War
Art Lallas (Friend): Navy (1952 to 1954) – Korean War
Babe Cimino (Uncle): Navy (1959 to 1961)
Paul DeCillis (Uncle): Army (1969 to 1970) – Viet Nam War
Bill Stach (Friend): Army (1968 to 1973) – Viet Nam War; Army Reserves 1976 to 1997
Tommy Cimino (Cousin): Navy (1985 to 1989)
Mark Lallas (Friend): Navy & Navy Reserves (1990-1994) – Gulf War
Lee Jacquart (Friend): Army Reserves (1989-1995) – Gulf War
Robert Jacquart (Friend): Marines (1991 to 1995) – Gulf War
Glen Hall (Brother-in-law): Marine Reserves (1993 to 1999)- Gulf War
Zachary Louis Edelstein (Friend): Marines (Jan. 2007 to present) – Currently stationed in Habbiniyah, Iraq
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User Comments
lynn high
On August 12, 2008 at 8:03 am
Thank you so much for sharing. I completely agree, soldier’s deserve to be recognized and appreciated for all that they do.
Liane Schmidt
On September 20, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Very beautiful and thoughtful article.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Peter Cimino
On September 25, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Lynn…
Thank you so much for the feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
All my best always
Peter
Peter Cimino
On September 25, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Liane
Thank you so much for the compliments. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
All my best always,
Peter
Josey
On September 25, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I am an Army wife and Army veteran. Soldiers struggle more than you know. A private makes almost nothing and puts his or her life on the line for his or her country. My husband is a captain in the Army, which is a higher rank. We have four children and still live on a tight budget. My husband has also been to Iraq 4 times. Service members don’t expect much. They don’t do their job for a thank you, but it is nice when you can give back something to them to show they are appreciated. Thank you for writing such a wonderful piece, Peter!
Peter
On September 25, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hi Josey.
Wow…I got tingles reading your note. I don’t know what to say, other than thank you so much…to all of you…for continuing to protect our freedoms. You are all true heroes….my heroes. Take care…God Bless you, your husband, your family, everyone in our military and the USA!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you….sooooo much for this note.
Bree Wiley
On October 6, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Peter,
I am absolutly just stunned. Yes, I have known about the soldiers and things to that nature but to read your article, I got a slap in my face. I have been merely standing on the sidelines, letting others try and help our troops while I barely paid attention. Now reading this, I just am just lost for words. This was eloquently written and I’m glad I read this. I’m ready to help out our troops even more now!!
Great Job, Bree
Mandi Owens
On October 7, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Very nice work. Thank you for encouraging support for our troops. I have had many friends and have many friends stationed over there.
Mandi
Amie
On October 10, 2008 at 9:31 am
Very well done. I was almost forced into a soldiers life, but it tore us apart. I don’t think wrongly of them and agree that men who fight for our country and sacrifice their life for mine need to be highly recognized and appreciated.
Lost in Arizona
On October 13, 2008 at 11:54 am
Excellent article. As an Army brat, it saddens me that even 40 years after my father served in Vietnam, that our soldiers are still mistreated. They’re willing to give their lives for us, and we’re so quick to forget them. It amazes me how soldiers come home, suffering with PST, and now with the high suicide rates amongst them, and yet no one is willing to do anything for them. Even the Veteran Hospital here in Tucson has so many soldiers just wasting away, and no one seems to care. It’s disheartening and it makes one sad at humanity.
goodselfme
On October 21, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I pray for our troops and allies every night. I also say thank you for every service man and woman I meet. Your article is a must read for all.
tony haynes
On October 21, 2008 at 9:30 pm
our troops are treated so unfairly. some of this $750 billion should be going directly to them. the in-equity is staggering.
Beatrice Adams
On October 30, 2008 at 4:32 am
Dear Peter,
I am not an American, but I appreciate this article because what you have written rings true for the soldiers of all nationalities: They give us so much – their lives and our freedom – and they get so very little back.
In my country, we see news of our frontline soldiers dying of blood loss in Mindanao after waiting for four hours for MedEvac that doesn’t come on time. In the meantime, we hear of retiring generals who are still sent to an Interpol convention in Russia carrying along seven million pesos of taxpayers’ money for a purpose they are still unable to explain.
I hope people like you keep writing articles like these. Perhaps these will help bring the day when our soldiers will receive the respect, care, and assistance they so urgently deserve.
All the best,
Beatrice
tracy sardelli
On November 1, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Brilliant aricle, you are so right, Thank you.
Michele Cameron Drew
On November 9, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Excellent post Peter, thanks for sharing this
Glynis Smy
On November 16, 2008 at 1:08 am
I enjoyed this article, it is a powerful message to remind us of what is going on every time we get out of our warm beds and start our day, someone protected us, physically, overnight and will continue to do so during our day. I feel they deserve to come home to better things, the governments of our countries should see to this, not tv stars, but thank goodness for tv stars that they care enough to do so.
PR Mace
On November 28, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Thank you for this wonderful article with such a powerful message. Your read forward for tonight.
jackalina
On December 4, 2008 at 8:44 am
Really good article, more support is definetly needed for our troops and it was a great idea for you to write this article.
hfj
On December 15, 2008 at 9:51 am
Very good article. We didn’t learn our lesson from the Vietnam war. Never in the history of our great nation was our soldiers treated any worse than when they returned from the Vietnam War. Our government is letting our troops down.
Luzanie
On December 16, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hi very nice article! I have adopted a Solider who is away from their familes this time of year…I think it’s important to support our troops as they support us.
Poetic Enigma
On March 9, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Amazing article,
very well written
and thoughtful too
Kathryn Newman
On March 11, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I like the twist on this article. Flows well. I like the up-side-down pyramiding of the context.
clay hurtubise
On April 12, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Mixed emotions on this piece. While I’m anti-war, I’m 100% behind our soldiers( I realize that is hard for some to comprehend!). It is a travesty how our soldiers are treated by our government once they are off the front lines.
As far as the TV shows go, I see them as milking emotions for dollars. Extreme Home Makeover is nauseating:they often tear down fine homes just to build bigger ones (anyone see how well these quickly built homes stand up over time?)… they are making big money off of this, a $250,000 home is cheap when you think some actors get one million per episode.Arg!
Good article, just got me fired up!
Thanks,
Clay
MySoldiersSweetheart
On August 13, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Thank you for putting this out there,I am a military girlfriend soon to be wife. I have been taking care of my boyfriend for the last 8 months, I am also his POA. We are struggling to pay everything he needs to pay ontop of my own stuff. I lost my job after returning home from seeing him off and can’t seem to keep one because of everything I have to do for him. I am a sister in law to a soldier who got back from 13 months of deployment and got into a horrible accident. I spent a month getting him back on his feet, pushing him to keep going. I have watched so many of them go through losing everything to getting nothing from anyone. Not enough people take the time to say a simple thank you let alone do something to help anyone else out.
Again THANK YOU!!! Really, people need to hear these things.
Shelly Barclay
On August 17, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Great job bringing attention to such a worthy cause.
reneehendricks
On November 7, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Fantastic article! If you’re on Twitter, check out http://twitter.com/ThankASoldier – someone being very proactive about supporting our troops.
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