Support for our troops

I applaud the efforts of the organization cited and their support for our troops. And, of the other like organization. I'm a member of the committee of the Freedom Group of America/Indiana, affiliated with the national 'Tea Party Patriots.' Another member made a suggestion that we start a letter writing effort to support our troops. I volunteered to lead the effort.

I decided that we should support the home town troops. I contacted a person I know in the IN ARNG's Public Affairs Office. IN NG has many units on active duty in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Jabuti. BTW, I'm biased. I from IN and back in the mid-60s, I spent two years of my military career working with the IN ARNG. When I visit my friend at Stout Field, Indianapolis, her building is across the street from the building I worked in.

Today, we have several efforts underway.

1. Using NG equipment we are arranging for two tele-conferencing events. One on Thanksgiving Day and one on Christmas Day. On Thanksgiving Day, family members will be given the chance to tele-conference with their loved ones in Kosovo. The Christmas Day event will be with either a unit in Iraq or Afghanistan. The unit in Jabuti does not have the reciprocating equipment. Due to security issues, the equipment must be set up inside an Armory, or other military facility. We will provide transportation for families, refreshments, etc. during the events.

2. In the home town of each activated unit, is an established 'Family Support Group' (FSG). Membership is made up primarily family members and civilian volunteers. Our local Patriot group has adopted a unit from our county. We write letters, prepare packages, etc. and pass them to our FSG. We have passed along POCs for all the other FSGs in IN to the 30 different Tea Party Patriot groups in IN, asking them to contact a local FSG.

3. Another program we, and the other Patriots groups, are getting involved in is 'Adopt a Family for a Holiday.' Here, through a FSG, you are given the name and contact info for a family that would appreciate some holiday cheer. Then you invite the family to share Thanksgiving and/or Christmas with you and your family. This one has been a little slow getting started, mostly due to the pride of those families contacted. I hope my family comes around.

Now, why am I boring you? It is to encourage you to get involved and through supporting you "home town troops" make you contribution less anonymous; and you can enjoy the smiles. It is going to require some work on your part. If you know of a local Guard unit that is on active duty, contact their Armory and see if they have a FSG. Then go from there. If you do not know, go online and find the home page for your state's NG HQ. Then look for the Public Affairs Office. And, ask questions. I'm sure you'll be pleased by the warm reception you get for supporting our 'home town troops.'

Make your support for the troops more than a warm fuzzy feeling.
Don of Indy