Remembering U.S. Military Overseas at Christmas

Being away from home during the holidays can be tough on anyone, but for those men and women serving in the U.S. military overseas the above lyrics are more than just a Christmas song. Often working long hours in extreme and dangerous conditions, these ordinary people have sacrificed much for the sake of others, including spending the holidays with their loved ones. Wouldn't it be nice to make them a part of your own Christmas, Hanukkah, or Yule tradition?

Start Looking Close to Home
The simplest, and often most personal, way to find a member of the military to cheer up this year is to ask around and pay attention. So many families have loved ones serving overseas right now, and that personal connection you already have will let them know that they are remembered back home. Their families, too, will likely be grateful that they're not the only ones thinking of their loved one far away. If no one in your immediate circle has a friend, spouse, or relative on active duty, try asking at local churches and friendly businesses. Our church keeps a bulletin board up to date with snapshots of members of the armed forces currently serving away from home, and our local Sears recently did a similar display.

Two Great Resources
Too shy to ask around, or still have room for more good holiday karma? Try anysoldier.com, which will connect you with a contact from any branch of the service. These soldier contacts provide information about what their troops need, and sometimes update with photos, stories, and letters. My sister recommended this site to me after using it several times herself with much satisfaction. To find a soldier, go to the site and look for the "Where to Send" link on the top menu bar.

Another handy site is treatanysoldier.com, which creates ready-made care packages that you can order and have sent directly to your soldier. If you're short on time, this is an easy way to show your support. One nice benefit of this option is that the site is run by a military mom with several years of experience in sending care packages to her son and many others, so you know that the contents of the package will be carefully chosen to suit the needs, wishes, and requirements of its recipients.

What Should I Send?
Mailing gifts to a military address can be a little tricky for a newbie. Luckily, you have plenty of resources available to you. The first and most important is your soldier - they'll know best what they need and what would go to waste, so be sure to ask them. They'll appreciate it.

Anysoldier.com also has plenty of information about what you should and should not include in your package. Browse the site and pay attention, both to what the site's writers have to say and to what the listed military contacts are requesting. Some things to keep in mind:
- stick to non-perishable food items
- toiletries are often greatly appreciated, including feminine products if any members of the recipient group are female
- reading material is also highly valued. Even used books and last month's magazines in good condition will be appreciated.

What If I Can't Send a Care Package?
If you're short on money but still want to brighten a servicemember's holiday season, don't worry. As anysoldier.com says on its What to Send page, "This is about SUPPORT, not just STUFF! A LETTER, from you, your children, the kids at church or school, is THE BEST THING to send. A show of personal support is far better than spending a bunch of money that you don't have. The letter in the box IS more important than the box itself." The site's FAQ reiterates this, saying that "letters are THE MOST requested thing by these soldiers," and offering tips to get you started.

A Special Note About Holiday Mailings
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other winter holidays tend to bring out the giver in many of us. Sometimes, however, our first instinct is not the most practical way to help. Click here to see some of anysoldier.com's tips about what, where, and when to send this holiday season.

Don't Forget Them When the Holidays Are Gone
Last, but not least, please continue to remember, thank, and send to these servicemembers throughout the year. Giving is easiest at Christmas, but homesickness can be year round. Be a hero to these heroes and let them know they're always in your heart.

Happy holidays!