Support the troops: what can *you* do?

Happy Thursday, Kossians!

After posting some links to a few sites that support the troops in various ways, I got some e-mails from our friendly fellow Kos denizens asking for more information and some advice on how they could help. My family and I sponsor two companies in Iraq and send care packages when we can, or when they request something, and we've all gotten so much joy out of doing this that I'm hoping I can spread it to you and yours.

No one here at Kos supports the senseless war, but we do support the men and women that are over there fighting it, without question. The troops need our love and support, especially those who are fighting this war with the same view of it that we have. It's important for them to know that we love, respect, care for, and think about them every day. How can you do it, you ask? I'm here to show you!

Sending packages to the troops is a lot easier than you may think. Of course, not everyone has the means to send packages, and that's okay, because many of our men and women just want to hear a friendly `hello' from someone back home, and e-mail is very handy for that, something we all have access to. A little something is better than nothing, and even a short, hastily typed note has the ability to make a soldier's day.

To get started, visit one of these reputable sites supporting our troops:

Any Soldier

Any Soldier receives a slew of e-mails on a daily basis from troops overseas, stationed all over the world, not just in Iraq. Troops from Asia, Afghanistan, Africa... they're everywhere. They ask for specific items their company needs, or just small trinkets that provide a pick-me-up. They include pictures, updates, thank you notes, all kinds of things to help you keep up with the soldier or company you are sending things to.

Treats For Troops

It doesn't get any easier than Treats For Troops. You don't have to do anything more than go to the site, shop around and pick out a premade package of goodies to send (including the popular `Birthday Party!' package), pay for it - and you're done! Treats For Troops does the work for you, including packaging and shipping, and they'll even include a personalized note in the package for your soldier from you.

Books For Soldiers

Our soldiers need food for the mind, too. At Books For Soldiers, they can request books and magazines for themselves, their companies, their P/X libraries...but that's not all. Books For Soldiers also encourages sending anything along that may help out, whether it be snacks, games, movies for those lucky enough to have TV/VCR accessibility, or just the basics, like socks. Michael Moore is a supporter of this site and allows them to distribute copies of his books for free to any soldier that requests them.

What do our soldiers need over there? Almost anything you can think of, and some things you wouldn't: moistened towelettes, deodorant, soap, band aids, antibacterial ointment, shampoo, mouthwash, toothbrushes. The ladies love to get good-smelling stuff, if for nothing else but to remind them that yes, they are ladies, and it's okay to smell pretty for a little while. Snacks, like chips, beef jerky, peanuts, crackers, and candy are a joy to behold for these folks, as are things like playing cards, Yahtzee games, pencils and pads - anything to while away the off time. If you have any of these things around the house - extras, games you no longer play - put them to good use! Dollar stores are also wonderful for a lot of the smaller travel size things our soldiers need.

The sites I listed above will give you specific instructions on what you can and cannot ship, how to package your things safely, and how long it will take your package to arrive, along with anything else you'll need to know. Don't want to send a package? Don't have the means right now? No problem. Find a soldier that's looking for a pen pal and send e-mail, or a greeting card with a drawing done by your child or favorite niece or nephew. They adore getting things like that. Just a small taste of the States, and the people they are representing (whether we agree with it or not), means the world to them.

So, what can you do? Lots of things!

I encourage all our friends here at Kos to do what they can - whether it be a little, or a lot. The thought travels longer than the miles, believe me.

Thanks for the ear, guys.