Support Our Troops

By Terry Walker
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Many community members are looking for ways to support military members and veterans this time of the year. This list is some of the organizations who may provide assistance to military members, veterans and their families.

I don't guarantee any of the services the organizations state they provide and I know that this is by no means a complete list.

Please look carefully at what each organization provides and make your decision on what service you want to use.

America Supports You
The Defense Department has launched the America Supports You program to showcase America's support for the men and women of the armed forces and provide the public a myriad of ways the country can express its support. There are hundreds of opportunities to support our military men and women listed here. America Supports You Our American Men and Women .

VA volunteers
Another government supported service you can look into helping at VA hospitals throughout the U.S. by checking with the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service .

Armed Services Blood program
The Armed Services Blood program provides blood and blood products to military hospitals worldwide. They will return to Kirtland AFB, Feb. 13-14. Armed Services Blood Program .

Messages of Support
The "Stars and Stripes" newspaper includes a daily Messages of Support section giving family and friends of deployed service members a chance to pass along greetings, announcements, and words of encouragement. Messages may be sent to: messages@stripes.com. Stars and Stripes free electronic newspaper .

Military Service Aid Societies
Air Force Aid Society

Armed Forces Relief Trust

Army Emergency Relief

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Organizations providing support
Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Other Support
Army and Air Force Exchange Service Gifts from the Homefront

AAFES Help Our Troops Call Home

American Red Cross

American Red Cross--Military Members and Families

A Million Thanks

AMVETS Voices from Home

Armed Services YMCA

Blue Star Mothers of America Inc.

Commissary Gifts of Groceries Program

Fisher House Foundation

Homes for Our Troops Inc.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Military Pets Foster Project

National Military Family Association

Operation Dear Abby

Operation Gratitude

Operation Hero Miles

Operation Noble Foster

Operation Stephen's Touch

Operation Uplink

Operation USO Care Package

Soldiers' Angels

Spirit of America

The American Legion

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

USA Cares

USO

Reach out to military families in your community, especially those with a loved one overseas.

Please do not flood the military mail system with letters, cards and gifts. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the DOD cannot accept items to be mailed to "Any Service member." Some people have tried to avoid this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an individual service member's address, which however well intentioned, clogs the mail and causes unnecessary delays.

The support and generosity of the American people has touched the lives of the hundreds of thousands of service members deployed overseas.

Current as of Nov. 20, 2007