Ways to truly "Support the Troops"

Many DUers are Family members, Friends, & Loved Ones of Active Duty Military.
Others who may not personally have someOne deployed,
often express real respect and concern for those in these god-forsaken wars.
If YOU are interested in sending "Care packages", becoming a "pen-pal", or
"adopting" a Soldier or platoon, please check out the following links..

Some caveats:
1)I'll be the FIRST to say,"Support the Troops?!? BRING 'EM HOME,NOW!!!" ..However, as
WE Work for that sweeet day, OUR Sons,Daughters,Husbands,Wives,Neighbors are THERE, NOW..

If You correspond with a deployed Person, please refrain from "political" remarks..
They do NOT need or appreciate any more negativity than they are living with, every day.

2)You may be shocked/highly outraged, at Their "wish lists"..
Despite the bazillions of $$ we are spending, many of the Soldiers ask for "basics",
such as pillows,blankets,or warm socks.. among other things.

3) Some sites may seem overly "rah-rah-rah-usa-usa!"..please see caveat #1.. ;)

www.bootsonground.com ..tips for Military Families, how to communicate with/ship to, items prohibited/requested, how to set up webcam/IM, phone & sim cards, lists/links for "ruggedized gear" & "semi-rugged laptops"

www.equipped.com ..suggestions for Care packages, & more tips/info

www.operationwearehere.com ..some great links,especially for Military Families

www.operationuplink.org ..vfw donates free prepaid phone cards to Soldiers

www.sistersoldierproject.com ..Care packages for Women deployed

www.jacobsprogram.org ..especially for Soldiers without Family, or from Families too poor to afford Care packages.

www.noanie.com/Special.htm ("operationbandaid @ yahoo.com")Troop/Family posts requests

www.give2thetroops.org ..free Care pkgs/Soldier must apply

www.operationshoebox.com ..Volunteer to be a penpal,donate school supplies & beanie babies,for Troops to give to Iraqi Children.. Can donate time/$/items for Care pkgs..
donate old cellphones & printer ink cartridges(recycle/fundraiser)..they also have used/good golf clubs to donate/ship to Soldiers,need interested Soldiers' names,addresses..
Submit request for Soldier, or Soldier can apply.

www.ustroopcarepackage.com ..submit Troop name,address,for free Care pkgs.

www.thehugsproject.com ...handmade warmth or cooling items, sign up to learn how to make helmet liners or coolers, other projects, or submit requests.

www.operationcarepackages.org ..submit Troop or become a sponsor

www.packagesfromhome.org ..great site,submit Troop, or Troop can request

www.treatsforthetroops.us ..submit Troops in need, or donate

www.soldiersangels.com ..adopt a Soldier,requires commitment of time, sewing & baking projects, join,sponsor,donate or submit a Soldier

www.treatthetroops.org ..("the Cookie Lady")..Submit Troop or Troop requests, will send cookies to deployed..Volunteer to bake, donate $, sponsor, more

www.emailourmilitary.com ..Submit a Soldier, Volunteer to be e-penpal

www.anyservicemember.org ..electronic greetings

www.letssaythanks.com ..send free printed postcards to deployed(from Xerox)

www.soldiertomovies.org ..Soldier must request, they send free "movie night in a box" to each member of the Soldier's unit:each box has a dvd, drink mix, mw popcorn, & non-chocolate candies

www.booksforsoldiers.com .."Care pkgs for the Mind!" :) Soldier must request, can be books, cd's,dvd's &/or games; Also need Volunteers for penpals

www.herebebooks.com/booksForTroops.html ..Submit Soldier, will send free box of books

I have personally checked into each link, & feel confident in their security-systems and motives. Please share with Others, & keep these Families & Friends in Your thoughts.

as an ex-soldier...I say if you don't like your circumstances, then quit the service.

It's really not that hard. Esp with Don't Ask Don't Tell still around.

At the very least you can send word to every newspaper about how horrible the conditions are and
thereby keep other young people from making the same mistake.

STARVE THE BEAST.
Keep people out of the war machine.

While I want to see our troops supported...
I mainly want to bring them home NOW and end these stupid endless wars.