Moms Support the Troops

Many moms around the U.S. regularly carry out a special, almost sacred mission, using boxes, tissue paper and some heavy-duty shipping tape. With maybe a prayer or two slipped in.

These loving moms send critically needed supplies overseas to sons, daughters, husbands and strangers serving in all branches of the U.S. military. They also tuck into the boxes some items that help their loved ones pass the time, as well as cards and letters to remind service members they are remembered and cherished here at home.

Service members are grateful, and somewhat stunned, by the outpouring.

And these moms need help to continue to provide necessities for the Americans fighting for all of us.

“We are just moms wanting to help, but we do all we can for our service members,” Karen Stillwell, a military mom and president of Buckeye Military Moms, told LifeZette.

While service members overseas are provided with basic supplies and items by the U.S. military, some items are always in short supply. Among them are socks, sheets and blankets, pen, paper, deodorant, dental floss, soap, toothpaste, and many other basic personal-care items easily taken for granted.

Other wish-list items include sunscreen, sunflower seeds, Q-tips, books, seasoning salt, pre-paid phone cards, portable music players with headphones, foot powder, hot chocolate packets and seasonal decorations.

The Blue Star Mothers of America, of which Buckeye Military Moms is a chapter, is a nationwide nonprofit organization whose chapters are run by moms who collect, box and ship many items overseas. There is now a Blue Star Dads organization, too.

The group is named after the Blue Star flag, an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families of those in the armed forces.

Stillwell, president of Buckeye Military Moms in Ohio, has a 31-year old-son who is serving stateside.

“Our freedom isn’t free,” she told the Columbus Dispatch. “This started as a support group for families that are affected by deployment, but we also wanted to make sure we were doing our part.”

Another support organization, Adopt-A-US-Soldier, pairs citizens here at home with a service member overseas, establishing a personal connection. You can “adopt” a service member for that person’s entire deployment overseas, and send supplies, letters, cards and gifts — and appreciation for the service.

“This started as a support group for families that are affected by deployment, but we also wanted to make sure we were doing our part.”

Service members are grateful — and somewhat stunned — by the outpouring.

“Your supporters have been amazing,” writes service member “Jeff” to Adopt-A-Soldier. “Thank you for everything you have done. It has made my deployment much easier. I never knew so many people cared about us.”

Service member “Tiffany” writes, “Thank you for checking up! Things have been wonderful and overwhelming. I can’t thank those enough who have taken the time to show us support! We appreciate it more than words can explain. Thank you again!”

Since President Obama ordered a troop withdrawal in Afghanistan, it might seem logical to think that service members need less now. With troops returning stateside, there should be more to go around, right? Not really. The U.S. will be cutting back on its food services in the region at the same time it scales back on combat operations, according to CNN’s security blog. Machinery, equipment, personnel — and food — are coming home.

But what about those still wearing the uniform, serving far away from home and their loved ones? In Afghanistan, service men and women will go from four hot meals a day to two as the Pentagon reduces the number of contractors needed to cook and serve meals and run mess tents and dining areas.

“We will significantly reduce contractor and supply chain requirements,” David Lakin, spokesman for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, told CNN.

So the public is stepping up. Schoolchildren write letters and draw pictures to include in the boxes, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops organize supply drives, pastors encourage their flocks to donate, and sometimes even biker gangs get involved.

Karm Poling, 61, told the Columbus Dispatch he and the other bikers were motivated to fill boxes with food out of a sense of duty to the troops. They participated in one of Stillwell’s box-packing parties.

“We want to serve the cause, too,” he said. “It’s important.”

How can you help? There are dozens of organizations filling and shipping boxes around the country, so there is probably a group near you. Or, you can start one yourself.

One Massachusetts mom called on friends and neighbors to help fill a box for Adopt-A-US -Soldier, and was astounded at the response from her community. “I would come home to find supplies stacked on my doorstep — bags and bags of supplies, food, and toiletries. People do want to help. It’s just finding the right avenue.”

She added, “It just feels amazing, to mail a box to a soldier who is serving.”