Thanking Our Soldiers on Independence Day

I started to write this week about all of the upcoming July 4th activities and some cutie-pie crafts that would dress up the table for your Independence Day BBQ.  I wanted to tell you all about the local area fireworks, and parades, as well as the bigger scale activities in Philadelphia.

But then I started thinking about the meaning of the July 4th holiday:

We have Memorial Day to honor the memory of the soldiers who died in service to our country, and we have Veteran's Day to honor those who have already served. 

But what about the serviceman (and women) who are in active duty?  

This question led to a conversation with my kids about what Independence Day is about. It's more than just fireworks, parades and family barbeques.

The idependence we enjoy is due to the men and women who willingly enlist into our military; those who are willing to give Uncle Sam a blank check that they are willing to cash up to and including their very lives to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy, and sometimes even take for granted.   Soldiers leave their homes and families, and put themselves in harms' way to preserve our way of life.

This week, Serena, Cody, Kelsey, Brandon and I will be writing letters and making pictures (for those too young to write letters) to soldiers in active duty overseas through www.anysoldier.com.  I hope you'll join me.

We're taking this Independence Day as a most appropriate time to say "we appreciate you, "and "thank you."
 
The site was begun by a military family while their son was serving overseas. Their son passed on his own care packages to soldiers who never received anything in the mail.  Founders of www.anysoldier.com, Marty and Sue Horn, began their site to fill the needs of those thousands of enlisted who never received a word of support, or comfort items while in service. 

While there are comfort item requests for specific items (hair products, tampons, baby wipes, shampoo, powder, lotion, snacks, etc.) by soldiers on anysoldier.com, the Horns say that Letters are THE MOST requested.

So, all you need do is send a normal letter in a normal envelope with a normal stamp.  You simply sign up on the site by looking at a list of soldiers, pick one (or 2) and fill out the form with your name, address and email address, and you will be emailed your chosen soldier's APO address. 

Depending on the chosen soldier's situation, you may or may not hear back from them.  Some soldiers, in "active" zones are unable to write back for a variety of reasons...as the site puts it, "I mean, these guys and gals have other things on their minds, y’know? Like...oh, STAYING ALIVE?"  To increase your chances of hearing from a soldier you write to, include your email address and/or pre-addressed envelope and note paper.  Postage isn't necessary.  The military picks up the tab for that.

Explain to your children that freedom isn't free.  Freedoms we are blessed with aren't experienced by others around the world. 

While you're enjoying the , teach your kids what those fireworks symbolize.   While we're enjoying the booms and pretty colors overhead, our enlisted are experiencing "bombs bursting in air" overseas.

While attending your local Independence Day parade, help your children to remember that this celebration of independence and freedom,  is continuing to be fought for by soldiers for you and your family.  

And while savoring your barbeque, enjoying that slice of Americana, remember those brave men and women who aren't having  family get togethers while in active duty,  because they're out preserving your way of life. 

Happy Independence Day!