To soldiers, from the heart

Soldiers Magazine, Dec, 2004 by Beth Reece

AMERICA stands its From billboards praising Soldiers for their bravery to patriotic songs recorded by top musicians, Americans are clearly showing their pride.

"Our goal is to keep Soldiers' morale high by showing support back home. Homesickness is a big problem, and a simple letter from a stranger can help lift spirits," said Beth Cornwell-Friese, who founded the Freedom Fund when her son deployed to Iraq with the 1st Armored Division in 2003.

The need to support those fighting the war on terrorism seems contagious. It's inspired folks who personally know service members, those who live near military installations and even those who've never met a Soldier.

Nonprofit foundations and volunteers across the country continue to seek donations toward programs for Soldiers and their loved ones that ease the emotional and financial burdens of long separations and deployments.

For Our Soldiers

From phone cards provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to care packages from the USO, support from home has shown troops that America backs their efforts in the Middle East.

"Knowing that somebody you don't know took the time to send something to you is really awesome," said the 124th Infantry Regiment's SSG Sanford Dixon, remembering letters and packages he received from Americans during his deployment to Afghanistan last year.

Volunteers from the Soldiers' Angels Foundation labor to the motto "May no Soldier go unloved," sending letters and packages to Soldiers deployed overseas and wounded Soldiers in military hospitals.

The organization was created in 2003 when SGT Brandon Varu wrote to his mother, Patti Patton-Bader, about his buddies not receiving letters and support from home. Patton-Bader asked friends to write letters--a gesture that has evolved into thousands of volunteers donating services, money and gifts.

"Adopt a Soldier, write a letter, go to your local veterans' association," Patton-Bader tells the people she is recruiting, "offer assistance to the family of a deployed Soldier."

The Freedom Calls Foundation provides free videoconferencing between Soldiers in Iraq and loved ones back home. The foundation enabled SPC Michelle Soto of the California National Guard to "attend" her daughter's high school graduation. And SSG Shadow Evans exchanged wedding vows via videoconference with SGT Richard Everton in Durango, Colo.

Concerned about how wounded Soldiers returning home would adjust to the challenges caused by physical disabilities, John Gonsalves of Wareham, Mass., launched Homes for Our Troops. The foundation builds houses equipped with ramps, low counters, and wide doors and hallways for disabled veterans.

The first home will go to SGT Peter Damon of the Massachusetts National Guard, who lost both hands while changing a tire on a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq. Other homes are currently under construction.

Gloria Kelley of Raeford, N.C., and her friend Selina Desjardins have shown their patriotism by sewing and personally delivering more than 160 American-flag quilts to injured Soldiers being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

"Unfortunately, it is necessary for our Soldiers to be fighting in the war on terrorism," said Desjardins. "We just need to let them know they are appreciated for the sacrifices they have made for our country."

For Loved Ones

Some of the hardships of deployment and battle are visible via daily newscasts from Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans have not forgotten, however, the needs of those left behind.

Sisters Jackie Parris and Janice Sydnor-Evans created the Operation Support Web site to give families of deployed troops easy access to information. The site's links include email support groups, the American Red Cross, Tricare and more.

To help military families in financial need because of deployments, USA Cares provides food, round-trip plane fares and even money to cover utilities. And Operation Stephen's Touch was also launched early this year to link grieving families with trained listeners.

For family members left handling day-to-day issues alone, there's Operation Homefront. Chapters around the country have networked with local businesses willing to provide free assistance from mechanics, locksmiths, towing companies, attorneys, plumbers, electricians, movers and others.

Even Soldiers' pets are being cared for, thanks to the Military Pets

Foster Project and Operation Noble Foster. Free foster care from volunteer sitters has saved thousands of dogs, cats and birds from abandonment or placement in shelters.

Comforting Children

Deployments weigh heavily on children, too. Operation Purple has helped calm the anxieties of more than 1,000 children by sending them to free summer camps held in 11 states and Guam.

Ann Flaherty began incorporating Soldiers' pictures onto quilts for children of deployed parents after her 18-month-old grandson showed signs of emotional stress because of his father's deployment. The quilt brought so much comfort to her grandson that Flaherty made others, and expects to make more than 1,500 by year's end.