As we approach the holidays, you may feel moved by the spirit of the season to do something kind for the troops and their families. Well, there are plenty of ways to do it.
Soldiers’ Angels has a program called Project Valour-IT that provides voice-controlled laptops for wounded warriors. Other programs offer homemade treats for the deployed, handcrafted blankets, gifts for wounded warriors in hospitals and much more.
A friend reminded me of the many programs to write and send cards to wounded troops. The Red Cross has set up a Holiday Mail Call program and has set up guidelines for writing to troops recovering at the Walter Reed Medical Center.
The site also has links to other organizations offering support, like the “Gifts to Army” site that has several ways you can help or get involved.
Here at home, Toys for Tots is gearing up for their annual drive to provide Christmas for less fortunate children. If you’d like to help, contact the DeSoto 588 detachment of the Marine Corps League, or go to the national web site.
Dani Sevilla recently sent me a link explaining her group’s commitment to helping those who have survived traumatic events. Now Survivor Corps has a program dedicated to helping returning troops and their families overcome and heal their emotional scars.
And, of course, there is Manatee’s Operation Troop Support. On Dec. 15, Santa Claus will be visiting with the children of local soldiers at the American Legion Post 24.
For local Marine families, Cyd, a Marine mom and president of the Tampa Area Marine Parents Association, contacted me to let me know they are hosting several events and asked me to spread the word.
Lastly, Katherine Chen, an employee of Build a Sign, sent me a friendly note:
Soldiers’ Angels has a program called Project Valour-IT that provides voice-controlled laptops for wounded warriors. Other programs offer homemade treats for the deployed, handcrafted blankets, gifts for wounded warriors in hospitals and much more.
A friend reminded me of the many programs to write and send cards to wounded troops. The Red Cross has set up a Holiday Mail Call program and has set up guidelines for writing to troops recovering at the Walter Reed Medical Center.
The site also has links to other organizations offering support, like the “Gifts to Army” site that has several ways you can help or get involved.
Here at home, Toys for Tots is gearing up for their annual drive to provide Christmas for less fortunate children. If you’d like to help, contact the DeSoto 588 detachment of the Marine Corps League, or go to the national web site.
Dani Sevilla recently sent me a link explaining her group’s commitment to helping those who have survived traumatic events. Now Survivor Corps has a program dedicated to helping returning troops and their families overcome and heal their emotional scars.
And, of course, there is Manatee’s Operation Troop Support. On Dec. 15, Santa Claus will be visiting with the children of local soldiers at the American Legion Post 24.
For local Marine families, Cyd, a Marine mom and president of the Tampa Area Marine Parents Association, contacted me to let me know they are hosting several events and asked me to spread the word.
Lastly, Katherine Chen, an employee of Build a Sign, sent me a friendly note:
“We're giving military families a free customizable banner to help welcome home their loved ones returning from overseas or the option to send a free customizable jumbo card to a loved one overseas."
Katherine says they are giving away 20,000 signs and jumbo cards. It’s worth checking out!
There are so many organizations and programs out there, and I know I've only scratched the surface. If you’d like to share one that is dear to you, let me know.
For the holidays, I'd like to post some photographs of folks wishing the troops a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah." So get out that red hat, make a sign, take a photo and send it to me at ttompkins@bradenton.com.
Tiffany
There are so many organizations and programs out there, and I know I've only scratched the surface. If you’d like to share one that is dear to you, let me know.
For the holidays, I'd like to post some photographs of folks wishing the troops a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah." So get out that red hat, make a sign, take a photo and send it to me at ttompkins@bradenton.com.
Tiffany
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Tribute to the Gray Eagles
sent in from Terry Longpre:
"This tribute to the Gray Eagles (WWII pilots) was in conjunction with an Air show in Ohio called 'The Final Roundup.' It was the last large gathering Of the remaining P-51 Mustang fighters used during WWII. There were About 120 of the fighters there...all of them in flying condition, of course.
The flyover seen at the end of the video is composed entirely of P-51s Spelling out the number 51. It was an event that will never be seen again."
CLICK HERE
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Video from Survivor Corps:
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Mail for Heroes
info video from the Red Cross
_________
Around the military:
Tribute to the Gray Eagles
sent in from Terry Longpre:
"This tribute to the Gray Eagles (WWII pilots) was in conjunction with an Air show in Ohio called 'The Final Roundup.' It was the last large gathering Of the remaining P-51 Mustang fighters used during WWII. There were About 120 of the fighters there...all of them in flying condition, of course.
The flyover seen at the end of the video is composed entirely of P-51s Spelling out the number 51. It was an event that will never be seen again."
CLICK HERE
_________
Video from Survivor Corps:
_________
Mail for Heroes
info video from the Red Cross
_________
Around the military:
Standing by on a hill top, Soldiers with the 101st Division Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division watch as two Chinook helicopters fly in to take them back to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan Nov. 4, 2008. The Soldiers searched a small village in the valley below for IED making materials and facilities. Photo by Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez---
A soldier peers through an M-4 carbine scope while providing overwatch security in Tal Afar, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2008. The Army recently received final delivery of 473,000 carbine scopes.
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deploys flares during a flight over Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2008. The squadron is deployed to Bagram Air Base.
DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon
A soldier peers through an M-4 carbine scope while providing overwatch security in Tal Afar, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2008. The Army recently received final delivery of 473,000 carbine scopes.
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deploys flares during a flight over Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2008. The squadron is deployed to Bagram Air Base.
DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon
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