Missing from the Home Front - Families share ways to stay connected with U.S. troops in the Middle Easts - Families of soldiers stationed in the Middle East cope in different ways. Those left behind say they are most content when they are doing something for their loved ones. That's what spurred Indianapolis resident Sandy Doell to write "Mom's Field Guide -- What You Need to Know to Make It Through Your Loved One's Military Deployment"

20 Practical Ways You Can Support the Troops in Iraq and Elsewhere - There are things we can all do to support the troops: Since you can no longer send mail addressed to “Any Soldier” (the post office won’t accept it), you can instead: Network among your friends and family. Ask if anyone knows a soldier who is deployed. Write a letter expressing your thanks to that person. Ask if there’s anything he needs and offer to help out. If you do have a soldier in your circle of acquaintance, ask if he or she knows of another soldier in his outfit who doesn’t get mail. Ask for permission to send that person packages and letters.