The Humanity Behind The News

How Children Can Support Our Troops

by Virginia Stiles

We see our troops on the television daily and hear about the conflicts in various parts of the world, but do we ever stop to think about those men and women as individuals, Moms and Dads, sons and daughters? They could even be your relatives or neighbors. No matter what you feel about the 'war,' it's important that we support our troops, and let them know we care about them. It's good for children to see the humanity behind the news.

I was teaching third grade during the Vietnam War, and my class wrote to several service men over there. The kids enjoyed reaching out to a real person on the other side of the world and the military guys loved hearing from the kids. We sent cookies and received Vietnamese Christmas cards.

I suggest you write a family letter to a service man or woman. Letters are limited to first class mail, no heavier than 13 ounces. The APO addresses require US Postage rates, even when they go overseas. Once you have opened communication with a service person, ask him or her what they would like you to send them - drawings from the kids, photos of family times, DVDs, etc - keep it simple.

Kevin Downs is a 23-year-old Tennessee National Guardsman who was the only survivor when his tank was blown up in Baghdad last year. His condition is very poor; he's tired and in low spirits. Send a card and say a prayer for him: (confirmed this with www.snopes.com)

Sgt. Kevin Downs 4 East - Bldg 3600 Brooke Army Medical Center 3851 Roger Brooke Dr Fort Sam Houston TX 78234

I contacted a kind and helpful Sergeant from Nellis Air Force Base here in Las Vegas, and she gave me addresses where you can send notes and letters. She said she was sure the soldiers would look forward to reading our letters:

Any US Soldier 924th TC DET (MCT) APO AE 09331

Any US Soldier 351st CA BN APO AE 09331

Any US Soldier 96th MP BN APO AE 09331

Any US Soldier 380th QM BN APO AE 09331

Any US Soldier 7th Trans BN 250the TC CO Maint Section APO AE 09331

There is a website created by an Army soldier to help support the troops, he says it's all about the support, not the 'stuff.' See www.anyairman.com wheretosend for information about men and women stationed in Afghanistan, Dkubouti, Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

If yours is a praying family, you can go to The Presidential Prayer Team and adopt a troop. They will tell you the Troop's names, spouse, children, branch and updates. Go to www.presidentialprayerteam.net and click on the Adopt Our Troops logo.

These letters are good on many levels. It encourages your children to think outside of themselves, to have empathy for others. It helps with their writing skills, including grammar. It makes them feel good about themselves because they are doing a kindness for someone with no thought of 'getting something' in return. It's a low-cost family activity that makes places from around the world come alive.

And, it reminds them to be thankful for where they are.

Have fun with this and our troops will be grateful.