Families Supporting Our Troops
Supporting the Families of Our Troops
While Our Children Serve
When you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say, “Thank you for serving our country.”
“101 Ways to Support Our Troops”
Hi Sandy,
I visited your website and truly enjoyed everything you’ve posted. It is evident that with you having the experience of a child being deployed, you have a heart for helping others through those hard times. That is wonderful! Unfortunately, the military doesn’t do a very good job of educating us family members and we are forced to learn the hard way — through experiencing it.
I am the wife of an Army SSG, who is currently deployed to Iraq for 15 months (only 10 more to go! *sigh*). Sometimes you start to wonder if you’ll even survive to see that day come. With that being the highlight of my biggest dreams, it is the only hope I have, so yes, I try to keep my head up and know that the day will be here before I know it. We have 3 children (16, 12 and 5), so I never find myself bored, with nothing to do! It’s go, go, go all of the time, which can be a real blessing!
Part of the reason for my e-mail is to ask you to consider adding a link on your website, that leads readers to a free, downloadable E-book entitled “101 Ways to Support Our Troops“. I have downloaded it myself and feel that it is on the mark with creative ideas for people to take on. I also feel that it would benefit those out there who want to do something, but just don’t know WHAT they can do to make a difference. I too, thought that it had lots of great ideas that many people probably have never thought of. It certainly clears up any misconceptions on what it takes for people to show their support. It doesn’t take much….sometimes, it’s just showing that you care and as you said, acknowledging the sacrifices that are being made for the freedoms we all enjoy. With it containing 101 ways, they are sure to find something they can do!
Sometimes it’s hard for people to put themselves in your place, especially when they’ve never had a loved one go to war, so I believe the more they know from those who have actually been there, it’s all the better. Your book is also a wonderful example of that. I am going to share your website and book with everyone in my FRG, as well as other parents/family members of soldiers I am in contact with. We have a MyFamily website for our members and share lots of helpful information with eachother, which really helps. Some of these parents are so very worried and grab on to any piece of news or information they can get their hands on. Us wives, seem to “be in the loop” a little more than the parents of single soldiers.
Thanks for listening and God bless you for all you’re doing! You are truly making a difference!
Sincerely,
Dana M. Wonsowski
20 Tip to Help Support the Troops
1. Letters from home are the item most requested by soldiers, so write often.
2. Allow plenty of time for packages to arrive for holidays.
3. Invest in a detailed map of the Middle East so you hear news reports, you'll be able to identify the exact location of activity.
4. Keep a list of discussion topics near the phone so when your loved one calls at 4 am, you won't waste time collecting your thoughts.
5. You can live on "Iraqi time" with the click of a computer mouse. Go to worldtimeserver.com.
6. Make sure you have as much communication technology as you can afford. The more often you communicate, the better you will both feel.
7. The Red Cross will help you make arrangements for your soldier to come home for certain emergencies, such as a death in the family.
8. Find a support group of other people with deployed loved ones. If you can't find a support group, start one.
For more tips, click here to read "20 Practical Ways You Can Support the Troops in Iraq and Elsewhere"
