| Across the United States anyone can find | | | | Allow them to callyou, mail you, or |
| millions uponmillions of US Flags and | | | | email you with updates or information. |
| yellow ribbons. If you are a memberof | | | | Participate in their fundraisers and |
| the extended family of a service member, | | | | events. |
| or even a friendor neighbor, you quickly | | | | Don't Forget The Ones Left Behind |
| realize supporting the military andits | | | | Often we remember the soldier, but |
| families takes much more than a ribbon | | | | forget the spouse andkids. Remember that |
| or a flag. | | | | the soldier will be more at peace by |
| Military members give their lives and | | | | notworrying if everything at home is |
| their hearts to fightfor our country. | | | | squared away. Offer asmuch help as you |
| Every day many find themselves | | | | can for the family that has been |
| indeployment situations. Though the | | | | leftbehind. Be an open ear. Visit them |
| Department of Defense hascreated many | | | | if possible. |
| programs and services to support troops | | | | Communicate |
| intimes of war and peace, an active role | | | | Buy your soldier a phone card to call |
| by the family andfriends is imperative | | | | home. Buy one fortheir kids or spouse |
| for morale. | | | | also. This shows that you are openingthe |
| It has been found that many immediate | | | | lines for communication. Create a simple |
| families such as thespouse, and children | | | | basket and fillit with phone cards, |
| have some understanding of what | | | | stationery, and kids' supplies |
| thesoldier is facing. However, as the | | | | (markers, glitter pens, colored paper) |
| chain grows longer theextended family | | | | for keeping in touchwith the deployed |
| usually knows less and less. Below you | | | | member. Write the soldier letters, |
| willfind tried and true ways to not only | | | | sendcards, care packages, or email. |
| show your support forthe service member, | | | | Don't get upset ordistraught if you |
| but to provide a strong system for | | | | don't hear back from the soldier. |
| themilitary family as well. | | | | Remember, they are often busier than you |
| Tell Them You Are Proud | | | | can ever imagine. |
| Tell the soldier and their family that | | | | Each letter is anxiously awaited and |
| you are proud of whatthey are doing. | | | | welcomed on mail dayeven if you hardly |
| Even if you do not agree with the | | | | ever hear a word back. |
| situationor our leadership decisions, | | | | Send Care Packages |
| support the sheer selflessnessact of | | | | Don't wait for you soldier to send a |
| your soldier. | | | | list of things he/she |
| Show Your Pride | | | | "needs". Send a care package once a |
| Pride can be shown in numbers of ways | | | | month or as often as youare able. Pack |
| from flying a flag,tying a yellow ribbon | | | | the package with fun things (see our |
| around a tree or pole, placing aservice | | | | carepackage article for suggestions at |
| flag in your window, putting a magnet on | | | | Send an AAFES (Army & Air Force |
| your car,buying a bracelet or trinket | | | | Exchange Service) gift certificate to a |
| with their name or unit,placing a | | | | service member ortheir family: Don't |
| flickering candle in your window | | | | forget thatthe soldier is not the only |
| symbolizing | | | | person that needs/deserves acare |
| "keeping the light on", and many more. | | | | package, mama and the kids do too! So |
| Find the way you wantto show your | | | | send anysignificant people that were |
| support and fly it high! | | | | "left at home" a specialsomething! |
| Do Your Research | | | | Remember Important Dates & Attend |
| Know where your soldier is going. What | | | | Important Events |
| kind of weather isthere? What kind of | | | | Often times, your soldier leaves behind |
| religion? What rules? What is | | | | a family at home. |
| theirmission (if possible to know)? Be | | | | Life continues where they were left. |
| interested and find outmore about where | | | | Children graduate,dance recitals, soccer |
| your soldier will be and what he/she | | | | games, etc. Remember these specialevents |
| willhave available to them while they | | | | and try to attend if possible. Always |
| are away. | | | | try to rememberspecial dates such as |
| Help With Chores & Tasks | | | | birthdays, anniversaries and more. |
| The family left behind is left with many | | | | Holidays are the toughest times when a |
| additional dutiesdue to the absence of | | | | family member isdeployed. Remember that |
| the service member. If possible, | | | | most military families don't livenear |
| helpwith duties like mowing the lawn, | | | | their relatives and may not be able to |
| small home repairs,babysitting etc. If | | | | travel thisholiday season. So, invite a |
| you are too far away to help with | | | | military family over for aholiday meal, |
| thesethings consider sending a gift of | | | | buy them a small gift (or make a craft) |
| "lawn maintenance for oneyear" from a | | | | oroffer to baby-sit while the parent |
| business local to the family, or finding | | | | does shopping. If at allpossible, |
| alocal sitter service and purchasing a | | | | celebrate through the miles. |
| gift certificate. | | | | Tara Crooks is the site owner and talk |
| Get Involved - Participate | | | | show host of Tara's journey with |
| Be involved in your soldiers' life and | | | | themilitary began in 1998 when she and |
| with their family. | | | | her husband CPT Crooks |
| Don't be afraid to call them just to say | | | | PCS'd to their first duty station, Ft |
| "hello" and checkin to see if things are | | | | Hood. Since, she hasearned a profitable |
| going okay. Every soldier has somesort | | | | living by building a great Army |
| of family readiness group or support | | | | wifeinternet talk radio resource. She is |
| system (dependingon the branch) that | | | | a PROUD Work at Home |
| offers information pertaining | | | | Mama & Army Wife. |
| tofamilies. Get involved in this group. | | | | |