I was at a meeting the other night and overheard someone say they felt that our nation's support for our troops had diminished due to lack of popularity for the war.  Those who know me, can imagine my reaction to hearing this.  I nearly jumped out of my seat, objecting. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I immediately responded to the comment, letting everyone in the room know that our organization had received more than 500,000 post cards (in May 2007, alone) from caring, patriotic citizens all over the United States!  Lack of support? I think not!  Did you know our donations have TRIPLED since last year?

So, tell me, if there's a lack of support for our troops, how come we haven't run out of money or donations for the troops?

The reason is simple: Because the support and patriotism for our troops has INCREASED - not diminished. 

Perhaps the person who made the comment is listening to what the MEDIA has to say.  I choose to look at what I see and experience and not allow the media to tell me what to see and think.  I told the people in the room that all they had to do was OPEN THEIR EYES and get involved with Give2TheTroops, and then they would see just how much support there is for our troops!

All too often people go to Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran Day parades, spewing words of patriotism and beating their chests about how much they love our country.  But the adage "actions speak louder than words" couldn't be more true.

We have so many volunteer activities and are always looking for help - to screen letters, pack boxes, buy special requested items the troops need, etc.  How about filling out a few customs forms for our hundreds of care packages we send each month?

There are many ways to show your love for our country and support for our troops - besides slapping a magnet on your car or clapping in a parade.  We offer activities for all ages and many which can be done from home.

I refuse to accept people telling me that there's a lack of support for our troops because it just isn't true! Did anyone hear that we have more than 3,500 golf clubs that were donated to the troops? Did anyone see the cases and cases of donations streaming in?  Our centers are ready to burst with all the items people have given us to send our troops!

If you don't see it - then you aren't involved enough and that means YOU aren't truly making an impact on our troops!

Don't wait for the next patriotic parade to show your support.  The deployed troops don't see your car magnets and they can't hear your applause at the parades and speeches you attend - but they DO see the care packages we send, and they do read the letters we enclose.  They write and call us from Iraq and Afghanistan, thrilled to see the outpouring of love from citizens they don't know.

The key is to be actively involved, folks! We're up to our eyeballs in donations at our Connecticut and North Carolina branches! Come HELP us and spread the REAL word that support for our troops couldn't be STRONGER!

Please answer me this: What exactly did you get out of your Memorial Day weekend?  Was it just a day of sales and shopping? Another barbeque, perhaps?  A day off work?  I can assure you, our Give2TheTroops volunteers don't need a Memorial Day or Veterans Day to remember our troops - the troops are in our thoughts ... always!

The next big patriotic day will be on July 4th - I challenge the naysayers out there to make a difference and do something truly meaningful for our troops before Independence Day!

God Bless our troops ...

Love,
Andi

Every day at the NC center when the mail carrier brings the mail, we stop and gather for mail call. Sometimes the words of the letters from the troops being read aloud makes us cry ( especially me!), sometimes we laugh, but we are always inspired by the courage, bravery and sacrifices of our young men and women of the military, and motivated to continue our mission. They tell us of their work training the local Army and police, providing medical care, repairing water lines and electricity, etc. All under intense conditions. No one in America can imagine what they are enduring. However they are doing this because they believe in the mission of our country. And we pledge to continue to support them, to provide comfort items, and a reminder of home. We will continue on with our mission until we are are finished. However we need the continued support of America. Please continue to provide items, monetary donations, and volunteer your time. We appreciate you, and most important our troops appreciate you.

Thanks Andi, As always you bring truism to the front. I agree with you. I so enjoy reading letters on the website and I cry when a package is returned as not deliverable. To me that is a failure. That man or woman is no longer in combat and no longer waiting for a package that never made it in time. We failed that person and I for one do not appreciate failure. It means that person was not shown how much we love and respect them. All we can do on this end is to make sure the troops get the little things they miss. We cannot give them the pleasure of hearing their childrens first word or seeing that wobbly first step or attend the softball game the son or daughter wanted their father or mother to see and to cheer them on. These young people are missing so much of their family's life and yet they continue to go on missions without complaint. We here cannot give enough, there is no "enough" to support them. The ice cream cone someone got on Memorial day would be a start on shipping another box to a soldier who is existing on government provided MRE's (K rations) and will not see an ice cream cone till they return to the U.S. A box (60+ pounds of love and snacks etc.) will make 30-40 troops smile and that is what we are all about. The letters from the troops say it all, "Thank You". They are thanking us and we should be thanking them. Our thank you's in the form of a box of goodies is such a small thank you.
I know the funds are spread a little thin these days and I would hope everyone would forgo that one dish of ice cream or hot dog so the troops can get just a small touch of home in the form of a snack or a treat of some kind. Well enough of my soap box philosophy for today. God love and keep all our solders, marines, sailors and coast guard no matter where they are defending us today. And God bless those volunteers who have donated time and money to support the troops. And a special thank you to Andi who gives her blood and soul to this cause, I almost wish I could do the same.

It is amazing how once you get started volunteering for G2TT, you get addicted. There is nothing more rewarding then giving helping the troops. They give so much and ask so little. It is amazing how a small gesture can mean so much. When I finally got to meet some Marines who we had sent care packages, they actually thanked me personally. I do so little compared to these men and women who are serving our country. But they are very thankful for any support from the USA. This Memorial Day, I had a chance to volunteer for G2TT at an event in Bristol. It renewed my faith in patriotic America. Children drew pictures to send the troops, parents wrote notes, and donated
money. Everyone enjoyed speaking with the men and women from various branches of the service.
When the weather gets warm here, just imagine the weather that these troops are enduring on a regular basis. There are many ways to help the troops and the rewards are great.

Memorial Day, or any day, it was instilled in me by my patriotic father to respect those who have served our country. I try to thank every Veteran that shows evidence of serving, whether it be with a hat, tee shirt, license plate, or sticker on their car, no matter what the day. They always seem surprised that I do it. This Memorial Day I bought my usual poppy outside of Stop&Shop. The one from last year still on my rear view mirror. The Veteran was older and sitting in a folding chair and his wife was handing out the poppies. I thanked him personally for his service and as usual I choked up. This year it was even more reverent as the week prior a friend was wounded in Iraq. His name is Barry Albert and I haven't even met him yet. He lives in Windsor Locks and is 43 years old and reenlisted when he felt "a call to duty". He was supported in his decision by his wife, Sue, and their 3 children, Aliana, Zach and Megan, which makes them heroes too. Barry lost his leg, but he didn't lose his spirit. As I told the story to the Veteran and his wife, the wife and I sniffled away and the Vet looked at us like we had lost our minds, rolling his eyes. Our heroes don't think they are heroes. I was told Barry thinks it's just a job. Our heroes don't expect anything and are surprised when people do anything for them for just doing their jobs. I find it amazing, as we all do. They are humble and strong and they are the backbone of this country. They are what's good and right in the world and they are ours!!! THANK GOD THEY ARE OURS!!!

All I can say is... Oooo-rah!!! You are right on, Andi!!!
Love,
Susan :):)

Hello,
I happened to see the news segement on WRAL regarding the golf club thing. And was quite touched.....the starkness of seeing a GI hit a golfball on the compacted desert ground as opposed to the more normal rich green fairway was profound.

I am member of the Civil Air Patrol. I have forwarded your site link and the WRAL story for him to see. I hope he will contact you to offer our support in whatever way we can to help as a unit of the USAF Auxiliary support your efforts.

Cheers,
Don B.

This Memorial Day was very special for me. My family was lucky enough to have my brother home for his two week leave from Iraq. We attended a Memorial Day service at the local cemetery and my brother was asked to be in the service. I was so proud to be there as he stood there in his uniform and reflect on all that he and all of our military members, past and present, represent. I truly believe that our troops are America's finest and their bravery and selflessness never ceases to amaze me. After the ceremony we walked through the cemetery with my nieces and nephew and were able to teach them a little bit about the heroes of our country.

All I can say is YOU GO GIRL!!! WAY TO STAND UP FOR THE TROOPS..YOU ARE THE BEST..AND SO ARE YOUR VOLUNTEERS!!! LOTS OF HUGS!!

Nice work. Our troops desreve all they can get. Most of their living conditions are not the best.

I agree with you Andi, the loud voice we all here is what the media wants to portray. I am so disgusted by it that's why our family stop our newspaper and magazine subscriptions. They claim they are unbiased but the truth is that they manipulate their readers through their messages. I am so grateful for organizations such G2TT to balance the negative airwaves that we hear all the time. My question is do you have any plans to expand your branches to also try to help the young men who came back and have a hard time adjusting to a normal life due to their own emotional or even physical problems. I know ones would say this is the job of our government. I think government needs to provide some kind of special funds to continue helping getting the education or training so they can be succesful in civilian life. I know if these young men continued to pursue in military careers, they are more likely getting good help. Like Vietnam war, any war may leave a heavy emotional burden to our combat young men/women. Perhaps the experience coupled with the insight you have dealing with our troops, your organization can spring up into something even bigger than what it is now. God Bless you and all the volunteers.

i just am crying as i write this letter to tell the troops to have a save battle and come home soon :-(