Four Easy Steps to Make a Difference in the Lives of Those Deployed to Combat
“We support the troops.” That statement is often bandied about. Many of us say these words automatically, almost like a child who recites his bed-time prayers – not thinking about what he is praying. Many people who “support the troops” won’t even think about what that truly means.
As I was writing down some notes and sentiments a few days ago, while reflecting on the recent 234th birthday of the Army, I found myself contemplating what supporting the troops really entails. Supporting the troops means being aware and meeting some of their needs and desiring the best for them. How can we do this? It seems like a daunting challenge for civilians to find ways to help these brave warriors a thousand miles away. “What can I possibly do?” many people ask.
When I was deployed to Iraq, I was under a great deal of strain. I missed my family and friends greatly. I was always in danger, constantly driven to work longer hours than ever before, and secluded within a small area that I could not leave, except while on mission. I would often get depressed and wonder what I’d done wrong to deserve being stuck where I was. Most of my fellow service members had similar thoughts and reactions. Eventually, this depressed state caused us to care less about living and stop being cautious and observant of the rules we needed to follow for our safety. This was dangerous for all of us. Service members who could not cope with the strain of the situation, killed themselves.
Even the smallest amount of attention and support from the home-front can make a world of difference to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who are over seas. The truth of the matter is: they are giving their all not because they enjoy war, but because they have been asked to serve and protect our freedom. Any amount of help we can give to make their lives easier is appropriate thanks to those who have sacrificed so much. In fact, it might even help save a life. We find ourselves back to the question of how we can help. Below, I have outlined a few practical steps we can take to make life a little easier for our troops.
1. Send care packages and letters.
Care packages and letters are great to receive. When I was in Iraq, it was wonderful to receive a letter from the states. A small amount of money spent can even have more impact. Snacks, hygiene supplies, DVD’s, and books are all great items to send. When it comes to snacks, beef jerky and sunflower seeds are always good, as are granola bars, cookies, and crackers. Hygiene supplies are easy to send such as razors, tooth care supplies, soap, laundry detergent, and shampoos. DVD’s and books should be mainly funny (comedies) or action-oriented in nature. They will serve to distract troops from the dangers of combat and how much they miss their family and friends.
2. Donate phone cards.
Donate phone cards to the USO, VFW, American Legion, and other veterans’ services organizations. Being away from home is perhaps the hardest part of any deployment – harder even than actual combat. All of the environmental strains and pressures troops contend with are heightened by a sense of isolation that only deepens as the deployment continues. The ability to talk to family and friends is probably the single greatest morale booster to the troops. AT & T phone cards are the best to send. This way, even if the MWR free phones are not available, the troops can use the AT & T call centers at whatever base they find themselves.
3. Volunteer at your local USO, particularly if you live by an airport that has a USO office.
Often when troops are traveling to and from home and the war zone on R & R leave, they will be stuck at the airport for a while. This is especially true of those soldiers who are waiting to go back to their respective theaters of combat. They are made to stay at USO’s while they await their movements onto their flights back to the theater. The moods of these young men and women are often quite somber as they contemplate returning to the war zone. Volunteering by serving food, snacks, repairing computers, or just helping soldiers relax as they wait for their flights, goes a long way toward making extremely difficult situations a little more tolerable and pleasant.
4. Support and thank those troops that you know.
Most of us know of a soldier somewhere, whether from a local school, church, job or our own family. Take the time to learn that person’s name, mailing address, email address, where he is deployed, and other pertinent family information. Send him regular letters or emails, keep track of where he is deployed and check up on his family. The impact you make on a serviceman or woman’s moral by showing that you care for them or their loved ones is incalculable.
The pressures our brave men and women must endure for our country’s security and freedom are immeasurable. Any steps we can take to make their time overseas a little easier, is the least we can do to repay them for their service to our country. There are many things you and I can take to support our troops and almost anything we do will be deeply appreciated.
The above steps are a few of the many ways we can support our brave men and women in service. Remember, they are sacrificing their lives for us and any gesture of gratitude, no matter how great or small, can and will make all the difference in the world to them.
