Where ever you go, Whatever you do, Have a Fun and Safe 4th of July
Stephanie Delger
The Fourth of July is nearly upon us, and surely people are gearing up for bar-b-ques, rodeos, fireworks, and a myriad of other kinds of celebration. Certainly Independence Day is one of the best days of summer; friends and families gather, kids get to stay up extra late, and Americans remember that despite our differences, we live in a great country. For this one day at least, there is a certain camaraderie among citizens of the United States, and we realize just how lucky we are to live here.
This Fourth of July, like those in recent years, is one that is bittersweet for families with husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, husbands, or daughters fighting the War on Terror. As an Army wife, I know well the gamut of emotions; the pride, the longing, the fear, the heaviness of heart, and the wish for people to understand that no matter the side of the political spectrum on which they fall, there are real people involved in this. There are real families that have been separated for almost unbearable amounts of time, and people that have made tremendous sacrifice.
It is easy to make judgment calls, whether they condemn or praise the conflicts the United States is currently engaged in – particularly in Iraq – from the sidelines. Doing so, while it has its merits, is not always the correct focus.
Certainly it should happen year round, but the Fourth of July especially is a time when Americans need to remember our troops, and do what we can to be supportive.
In that patriotic spirit, the following are ways for your
family to reach out to a service member this Independence Day.
Create a Care Package: Our men and women in service are living in conditions that are certainly less than ideal, but there are things you can do to make their time in theater more comfortable. A care package should include some comforts of home, things like cookies and (non-perishable) snacks, magazines or newspapers, books and CDs. Other things that make great care package additions are toothpicks, tissues, baby/handy wipes, and even a nice note to say “Thank you, you’re appreciated.” AnySoldier.com is a fantastic resource for learning how and where to send packages and what to put
in them.
Write a Letter: If a care package is not something that fits within your budget, writing a simple letter is a wonderful alternative. It can get pretty lonely at times, and mail from home is a much coveted item. Again, it doesn’t have to be written to someone you know; in fact it would be very touching for a soldier to receive a letter from a stranger. What better outreach of support than that?
“Adopt-a-Soldier”: This is a program in which a person or family can “adopt” a specific soldier to get to know through letters and possibly phone calls. You can also send care packages and other desired items to this one person. Adopt-a-Soldier is a program that strives to ensure no soldier is without correspondence from home. Believe it or not, some servicemen have gone through entire deployments without a single care package or letter. Visit SoldiersAngels.org for more information.
Donate Blood: When you give blood, you can specify that it be for the Armed Forces. There is a particular need for blood type O.
However you decide to spend the upcoming holiday, please keep in mind the military members serving around the world and the families they had to leave at home. Remember also these poignant words from John Hagee, “It’s the soldier, not the reporter who gives you freedom of the press. It’s the soldier, not the poet who gives you freedom of speech. It’s the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate. It’s the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped in the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag.” So, fellow Americans, if you are reading this, thank a teacher. Since it is written in English, thank a veteran.
