Yesterday we were walking through the Denver International Airport to our departure gate, when an announcement came over the public address system. Admittedly, I have learned to block most of these out because they become annoying as the monotone voice reminds me for the seemingly millionth time to report an unattended bag. But this particular one arrested my attention. It started off something like this, “We would like to encourage any of our military service personnel to visit the USO...” These days I am on a “high alert” status for anything that says “military, Air Force, Kuwait,” etc. Therefore, when I heard the word “military” the announcer had my attention.
I have been in airports across this country - and in a few foreign countries as well - since my high school years. I’m sure that there have been many times that I have passed signs for the USO, and probably even heard similar messages for them, but just never really paid attention. But, with TJ now serving in the USAF, “it is a whole new ballgame!”
TJ has done a lot of traveling since he enlisted in the USAF, and he has had the opportunity to spend time in several different airports during the past three years. Whenever his layovers are long enough, he finds the USO room in the airport and enjoys a quiet place to rest. On one of his more recent trips, he had a friend drop him off at the airport the night before his early morning flight. He headed straight to the USO room, grabbed a big over-stuffed recliner, and called the local pizzeria to order his dinner. Believe it or not, they delivered it to him! The volunteers in this USO room didn’t spend the night, but graciously allowed him to sleep there. At some point during the night one of the airport cleaning crew came through to check on him and TJ offered the man part of his pizza. TJ really appreciates these rooms and is always sure to thank the volunteers for helping him.
The USO was started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February of 1941. It stands for United Services Organizations and it remains committed to boosting the morale of service members as well as serving as the link between them and the American people. Most of us baby boomers (and older) know them for the celebrity shows of the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War eras. But, the USO and several other non-profit groups continue to work tirelessly to encourage, support, and meet the needs of our military service personnel. I am ashamed to admit that it took TJ’s willingness to deploy that caused me to learn about these groups.
Actually, the USO does so much more than just organizing those celebrity shows for the troops overseas! They have their rooms at airports across the world, they put together care packages, they have programs for the families of our military, and their list goes on.
Another group that I’ve just learned about and am hoping to become more involved with is called Soldiers’ Angels. Their mission statement simply is “May No Soldier Go Unloved.” They encourage Americans to “adopt” a service man or woman. They have several different programs through which individual and/or groups can become involved for the purpose of ensuring that members of our military know that they are appreciated and that their service is not in vain.
As I was reading some of the information on their website, they said that many in the military don’t have family who remember them while they are far away, even at Christmas! I can only believe this because we saw many young people at TJ’s basic training graduation who had nobody there to celebrate their accomplishment with them. I couldn’t believe it, yet there they stood, in small groups of two or three, or just off by themselves and there was nobody there to congratulate them… Nobody.
There is also another group called The Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 11,000 families, and has made available nearly three million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. By law, there is no charge for any family to stay at a Fisher House operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Fisher House Foundation uses donations to reimburse the individual Fisher Houses operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
For those of you who like country music, the new “My Country, Smash Hits” CD has just been released. Part of the proceeds of this album will benefit the Fisher House Foundation. At various retail outlets, drop boxes will be set up for customers who want to buy the album for someone serving in the military. People who do this buy the album and put it in the box. Later the retailer seals the box and sends it to the foundation that will get them to charities to give out to the soldiers. I'd encourage you to consider buying one of these CDs. You get to enjoy the music and you'll be supporting a terrific group who help our military families.
This year TJ will celebrate his 24th birthday in Kuwait, he will have Thanksgiving dinner in Kuwait, and he will celebrate Christ’s birth in Kuwait. But, for each of these special events, we will remember him and be mailing things to him. This is going to be a tough year as we come to each of these special days. But, to realize that some of TJ’s fellow soldiers don’t have anybody “back home” who will mail a birthday card, or send a small care package seems unbelievable. Yet, it is true and it will happen.
Before TJ enlisted, he never walked past military personnel without stopping and thanking them for their service. I learned a lot just from watching him do this and now I do it, too. So, the next time you see a military personnel, stop them and thank them for their service. You don’t need to do any more than to say, “Excuse me, I’d like to say thank you for serving our country. I appreciate the sacrifice you’re making for us.” I’ve yet to have one get upset for being interrupted during their meal, or as they are on their way to baggage claim, or wherever it is that they are going. What I can tell you is that you will make their day! And it will probably make yours, too!
If you’d like more information on the USO, Soldiers’ Angels, or The Fisher House Foundation you can find them by clicking on the links below:
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