Thousands of Americans are asking what they can do to show their support for servicemembers, especially those serving overseas in this time of war. Below are Web sites for several organizations that are sponsoring programs for members of the Armed Forces overseas. While it would be inappropriate for the Department to endorse any specifically, servicemembers do value and appreciate such expressions of support
Donate a calling card to help keep servicemembers in touch with their families at Operation Uplink
Operation Uplink is a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters like you, Operation Uplink purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about.
A new partnership between CertifiChecks, America's hometown gift certificate resource center, the United Service Organizations (USO), the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Fisher House Foundation, Inc., and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) lets every American make a significant material contribution to the morale and well being of military personnel at home and across the globe.
Proudly Serving The Men & Women Who Serve Our Country!
The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is looking for a few good donors. Actually, more than a few are needed. Donors with Type O blood are being asked to roll up their sleeves to support ongoing military operations worldwide and to help replenish the military's frozen blood reserves.
The American Red Cross helps people in need free of charge every single day! Your contribution means a great deal to the organization, but even more to the families who rely on the Red Cross to help them through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.taps.org/site/pp.asp?c=7dJHJNPwB&b=6109
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS) continues to work diligently to provide a wide variety of programs and information to survivors, military and casualty personnel and others.
Army Emergency Relief ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.aerhq.org/
AER is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. AER's sole mission is to help soldiers and their dependents.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.nmcrs.org/
Here you will find a little history and information about the Society, what services we have available for eligible recipients, where to find the nearest Society location, and information on how you can help us help those in need.
The AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.afas.org/
The AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY (AFAS) is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. It promotes the Air Force mission by helping "to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families
"Messages of Support",,,,,,,,,,,"Stars and Stripes
messages@estripes.com
U.S. troops deployed to the Persian Gulf region and other overseas locations can now receive personal messages from family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues and supporters via the pages of "Stars and Stripes" as well.
"Messages of Support" can be e-mailed to "Stars and Stripes" 24 hours a day at messages@estripes.com, are limited to 50 words or less and will be printed on a first-come, first-run basis. "Stars and Stripes" reserves the right to screen and edit all messages and to omit any determined inappropriate. "Stars and Stripes" is the editorially independent, Defense Department-authorized daily newspaper distributed overseas for the U.S. military community. It provides commercially available U.S. and world news and objective, staff-produced stories relevant to the military community in a balanced, fair and accurate manner. Stripes is currently increasing its Middle East circulation with the goal of providing one paper for every three persons stationed there.
Operation Dear Abby,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby at http://www.OperationDearAbby.net
http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/
Volunteer at a VA Hospital,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/
Volunteer at a VA Hospital. To honor veterans who bore the lamp of freedom in past conflicts.
The Fisher House,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.fisherhouse.org/
The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Department of Defense. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
Wounded Heroes Tribute Page,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.caringbridge.org/wounded/heroes/
You can send a note of encouragement and gratitude that can be read by a service member who has been wounded or injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.cgmahq.org/
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is an independent, non-profit, charitable organization, providing financial assistance to the entire Coast Guard "family." While sponsored by the U. S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance does not receive federal funds. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is funded solely from contributions and returns on investments.
MilitaryPetsFOSTER Project,,,,,,,,,,
http://netpets.org/netp/foster.php
NetPets.Org's, MilitaryPetsFOSTER Project has been created to be the liaison between those of you who have to place your dog or bird and the foster homes all over this country. This is a free service, as is the actual fostering. Any veterinary expenses, pharmacy, special foods and other extraordinary expense of this type will, of course, be your responsibility. If you wish to offer any sort of gratuity, that is between you and the people who will be fostering. Be confident that these foster homes will NOT be caging or crating the dogs, unless they are expressly told to, in writing.
Operation Noble Foster,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.operationnoblefoster.org/
Hundreds of requests for the fostering of pets have come in from members of our armed forces, National Guard and Reservists, that are being called to active duty as a result of the War on Terror, including the deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Just as during Desert Storm, many animal shelters and rescues reported markedly increased numbers due to the call up.
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
http://www.bluestarmothers.org/
We are mothers who have or have had children serving in the military .We are a non-profit service organization supporting each other, our children and promoting patriotism . An outstanding article listed in the DOD news link gives a short history about our organization and the Blue Star Banner. Please visit here
Learn How Americans Use Frequent Flyer Miles to Support Our Troops,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.heromiles.org/
More than 470 soldiers a day are arriving in the U.S.
Many soldiers on R&R leave must purchase high-priced last minute airfares to connect to their hometowns once their military flights land at the airports in Baltimore, Dallas or Atlanta. Soldiers on "Emergency Leave" must still pay the full cost of their domestic travel when they are rushed home for the family death, birth, illness or other emergency. The military does not pay the cost of their travel in the United States, so your frequent flyer miles are a huge help.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
http://www.cyfernet.org/
Support numbers for families with loved ones serving overseas
ARMY
1-800-833-6622
AIR FORCE
1-800-435-9941
NAVY
1-800-FSCLINE or 1-800-372-5463
MARINE CORPS
For Marines stationed East of the Mississippi River (minus Wisconsin) 1-800-336-4663
For Marines stationed West of the Mississippi Rive (plus Wisconsin) 1-800-253-1624
NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU
1-888-777-7731
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
US COAST GUARD
1-800-872-4957, EXT 932 (this is the Coast Guard EAP for HQ - Work-life program)
DEPLOYMENT HEALTH SUPPORT HOTLINE:
1-800-497-6261
Links Families May Find Useful:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Predeployment Guide: A Tool for Coping ,,,,,,,,,,,,
Being separated from family and friends is never easy, but the Predeployment Guide provided here can make it a more bearable experience for you. The PreDeployment Guide will answer your questions on deployment as well as the reunion of friends and family.
http://www.afcrossroads.com/famseparation/predeployment_menu.cfm
Office of the Secretary of Defense: Reserve Affairs
Includes helpful information for Reservists' families.
http://www.defenselink.mil/ra/
I'll Be Home For Christmas
http://www.allisonsheart.com/homeforchristmas/homeforchristmas.html
webring.com,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://dir.webring.com/cgi-bin/login
or get help with Ring/Site management here:
http://r.webring.com/forum?forum=ringhelp
and general help here:
http://dir.webring.com/help
