Opinions vary greatly on the subject of the United States’ involvement in current military conflicts. I myself was an avid opponent of the war in Iraq from day one. But there are some lessons we, as a people, should have learned from our past mistakes. After the Vietnam Conflict, people lined up at airports to spit on our soldiers as they returned home. These people are filth, and simply do not deserve the rights that the soldiers of our armed forces have fought, and in many cases, given their life for. “Support our Troops” is not a catchphrase or a gimmick. We need to realize just what it is that these men and women represent.

On September 11th, we were invaded; this is the only time in our times that the continental United States was attacked. We enjoy a level of relative everyday safety that is unparalleled in this world. This state of safety exists because of our military. The United States boasts a military superiority that makes an actual invasion significantly unlikely at worst. And the military is only as strong as the individuals who man it. When these young men and women sign up for service, they do so with the full understanding that they may end up sacrificing their lives by doing so. Especially in these times of war, when there is a good likelihood that their service will take them into conflict. Argue all you please about the politics of the war, but these people are heroes, and deserve to be treated as such.

But what, realistically, can we do? Voicing our support is fine and well, but in the overall scheme of things, what does it amount to? Here, then, are some actual, practical things you can do to let these brave men and women know we’re here, and that the sacrifice they may make is not in vain.

1. *If you see a member of the military on the street, thank them. Shake their hand. If your children are present, tell them in front of the person that people like this are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we enjoy. It may be awkward, but I can promise you it will matter to the individual.
2. *Which brings us to the next point… our children. Teach and inform them. Make sure they understand the difference between opposing a war and opposing our troops. Teach them the symbolism behind the colors of the American flag. Our children need to know that these are genuine heroes.
3. *Check the the list of soldiers who give their lives in the current conflict. Often times the local newspaper from their hometown will publish family information. If you send a letter to the family care of the newspaper office, it’s a safe bet the family will receive it. write them an actual letter. Tell them you are sorry for their loss, and that you appreciate the sacrifice their child/ husband/ father gave for us all. Again, if you have children, have them write a letter. It won’t bring them back, but I promise you it will help.
4. Care packages.  It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. Here is a list of items they can recieve:

• Shower to Shower body powder
• Jelly beans
• Disposable camera
• Rice Krispie treats
• Altoids/mints
• Beef jerky
• Snack mixes
• Sunflower seeds
• Chewing gum
• Nuts
• Long-distance phone cards
• Little Debbie’s snacks
• Ziploc bags
• Coffee
• Gatorade
• Jaw breakers
• Poker game
• Playing cards
• Dice
• Music CD’s
• Footbag/hacky-sack
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Inflatable pillow
• Cookies in individual packages (Big bags often fill with dust if not eaten right away.)
• Dominoes
• Pasta and sauce
• Canned food items
• Spices, salt, pepper
• Smoked oysters and sardines
• Squeeze butter
• Pringles chips
• Individually-wrapped licorice
• Microwave popcorn
• Ramen noodles
• Macaroni & cheese
• Disposable shower towels
• Olives, pickles, peppers (Be sure to add lots of bubble wrap around these items.)
• Cereal bars/granola bars
• Microwave pasta that doesn’t need refrigeration
• Hot cocoa mix
• Soup mix
• M&M’s (plain or peanut)
• DVD’s
• Koozies to keep water bottles and cans cool
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• AA batteries
• D batteries
• Air fresheners (…like stick-ups, F’breeze.)
• Canned air to blow dust out of electronics
• Stress relief squeeze balls
• Sewing kit
• Lysol wipes/hand & face wipes
• Poker chips
• Board games
• Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots
• Brown t-shirts
• Boot socks
• Underwear
• Hand warmers
• Inflatable seat cushions
• Razors
• Ink pens
• Word Puzzle books
• Icy/hot patches
• Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles
• Foot massager
• Microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates
• Vitamins
• Paperback book

And here are some ways to send them:

Any Soldier Inc.

USO

Give2TheTroops

Personalize your packages. It may not seem like it matters much that they know who you are, but it does.

There are other ways as well; all it takes is a bit of research. We need to put aside political agendas in this instance; let us not forget for one minute that all of the freedoms we enjoy, great and small, are owed to American soldiers past, present, and future.