Operation Dear Abby: Ways to Show Support for Our Overseas Military

Regardless of one's personal opinion and politics surrounding the war, the fact remains that the men and women serving overseas are putting their lives on the line and setting aside all that is important in their everyday lives-- homes, families, friends, etc.-- and for that they deserve our gratitude and support.

For those of us who do not have family members in this position, there are many fine programs designed to assist us in showing our military personnel that we do indeed support what they are doing for us.

One of the most long-running programs is Operation Dear Abby. In 1967, Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote to the popular syndicated columnist Abigail Van Buren, requesting "letters from home" as a Christmas present to servicemembers stationed overseas. Through this program, hundreds of thousands received letters every holiday season.

Due to difficulties with mail delivery, Operation Dear Abbyis currently available via the Internet.

Based on an idea similar to the MIA/POW program of the Vietnam era, a program called My Soldier was formed at the Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, during its Veteran's Day press conference in November, 2004. This program was the idea of student and active duty Army Sgt. Juan Salas: "to find a penpal for every soldier who wanted one," and to distribute My Soldier bracelets to the civilians who participate in the program.

By contacting them, you can "adopt a soldier," and keep in touch with regular letters and emails.

www.mysoldier.com

Retired General John Singlaub presses for citizens to understand the need to bypass the media's ongoing negativity about the war and, instead, to focus on the sacrifice our servicemembers are making-- and to also communicate this to our military themselves.

In the Fight Media Bias program, personalized dog-tags are sent to overseas servicemen and women, which state AMERICA SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS. So far, 106,274 tags have been sent to them!

Individuals who participate in this program also receive a tag.

www.fightmediabias.org

"Supporting our troops-- one letter at a time" is the theme of Operation Military Support.

To request a name of a servicemember, check into their website:

www.operationmilitarysupport.com

The USO (United Service Organizations) was founded in 1941 at the urging of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Beginning with charitable organizations uniting to provide support for the U.S. military, it was not long before "average citizens" decided to take part. Celebrities also recognized the importance of such an organization; Bob Hope did his first overseas tour in 1942.

There are various ways in which one can participate in the works of the USO-- through donations, care packages, and volunteering one's time.

www.uso.org

While the conflicts overseas currently show no sign of ending, there are many servicemembers whose tour-of-duty can be aided by firsthand support from average citizens. Check into these organizations and let them know you are "with them all the way!"