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How Can I Help A Soldier On Memorial Day?

I have never felt there is any adequate thanks that can be given to the families of those who have given their lives in protecting us. I know from our emails together that many of you have loved ones who are serving today while the rest of us celebrate a day off. Many prayers for all of you and safe returns for everyone.

My paternal grandfather’s brother was 20 when he was killed in action in France on February 11, 1945. He wrote to my grandparents on January 31st. He explained that the mail was censored so he couldn’t say much, but he asked them to send more homemade cookies. “I finally got the other box you sent,” he wrote, “A little late but still good. Thanks.” He asked another sibling to send fruit cake. Knowing my grandmother, she would have had another box of cookies in the mail to him the next day. I wonder who received them. I hope another soldier was comforted by them. They really were amazing cookies.

My dad once told me the best birthday cake he ever tasted was the German chocolate cake that she made and sent to him when he was serving in Viet Nam. It was smooshed almost flat when it arrived. He ate it by a river in the jungle, but it still tasted like home in Indiana.

As we humbly remember and thank those who have had to do the unthinkable- who have had to walk into a situation that would send most of us running away in the other direction- I hope we remember that the little things we easily enjoy, like cookies or something made from home, can be so comforting in scary times.

To send love to our service men and women serving today check out:

*Operation Gratitude

*USO.org

*Any Soldier.com

*Books for soldiers

*Cell phones for soldiers

*Pen pals for soldiers

*For tips on what to send and not send, here’s a link.

When you see men and women in uniform in the airport, in the mall, at the game, please thank them for their service. It’s the least we can do.

June 5, 2010 - 10:35 pm Amber - Thank you for this thoughtful post. Brenn came home on leave twice while he served for a year in Afghanistan. Both times he was in uniform when I picked him up and wherever we went people were so nice and thankful--one man even bought our dinner! It was very touching and much appreciated. I only had to take care of myself, the dogs, and the house while he was gone. I can't imagine what spouses with children go through. That's why I would suggest that helping a parent whose spouse is overseas is also a way to say thanks. I'm sure anything to lighten the burden of day-to-day living would be much appreciated because it's really overwhelming when you build a life for 2 or more people/maintained by at least 2 people, and suddenly all the maintenance is on 1: you.

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