What did you do for a family whose mom or dad is deployed with the military on this Thanksgiving day?
959707
My dad was deployed on a lot of holidays when I was growing up.  My mom invited soldiers over whose family was in the States or somewhere else.  Thanksgiving isn't just about family its about being with friends too, so she just made sure that if anyone didn't have a place to go they were at our house!
806940
Aww, don't feel so bad you did at least remember right? It sounds like you were playing with your child and doing things that veterans fought so you COULD do them. But what I did was woke up and kissed my husband and told him thank you because he is a veteran. I looked out at the sunny day (bit cold here but sunny) and sent a prayer over seas, praying that God keep the men and women over there now safe. I then did as you did and me and my hubby watched and played and laughed with our blonde haired blue eyes children because WE CAN DAMN IT (lol) What a wonderful thing the vets from the past and today give us eh? The freedom to laugh with our children WHEN WE choose and play WHEN WE choose and teach them of religion WHEN  AND HOW WE choose. Then we went and placed beautiful red, white and blue flowers upon my grandfathers grave and I told him thank you also, why? because I can!!! Huggs sweety and don't be so hard on yourself!!!  Why be? When you were only enjoying your day and child because you can. You remembered and somehow I think people remember every day, I know I do!!!
432094
I am with Soldiers' Angels, a volunteer organization that works with the Defense Department to match caring Americans with our brave service people to help boost morale. You can submit your son's name for adoption, and then he will be matched with someone who would like to show their support by writing and sending small care packages, and as a matter of fact beef jerkey is one of the suggested items simply because Iraq and Afghanistan do not allow the importation of pork products such as Slim Jims, etc.\n\nIf you are going to do this, please let your son know so he is not surprised when someone adopts him (soldiers have a lot of pride and do not like to think they are receiving charity), and if someone does adopt please ask your son to make certain he does write back just to let the person know he or she is making a difference. I've been doing this for a little over a year, and no one has written back yet. I guess everyone needs a little morale boost every now and then!\n\nSome of the companies you allude to do make arrangements for discounts to people with organizations like SA, but most do not give outright donations as far as I have seen.
896822
My son has been in Iraq twice now and i know how tough it can be on the home front. God bless you and your family, and Thank You for all that you are sacrificing for us. \nBeings it is after the 13th of Nov. {the date we are supposed to get things mailed for Christmas } it might take longer than the expected week and a half. You might be better off sending packaged goodies, the commercial preservatives are better than what we can use at home. Here are some things i have mailed and had good results with...Oatmeal, or chocolate chip cookies do really well in the mail if you put them inside of a pringles can. Those "disposable" tupperware bowls are inexpensive and work to keep things airtight and fresh too. Divinity, and homemade fudge keep very well if airtight, so will rice krispie treats. Put layers of waxed paper in between, or individually wrap each piece. Carmel corn is always a winner too, and can be sent in a ziplock baggie. Make sure that the box you send everything is packed tight so things don't end up breaking to pieces in the mail, i use dry popcorn, or new socks to fill the spaces. Hope that this is helpful for you.
949108
I told my husband that I am so thankful for him. He is a wonderful man, and I love him with all of my heart. I told him to do a good job, and please come home safe. I told him about the kids and how big they are getting, and how we had a picnic today instead of the usuall thanksgiving feast because it is always his job to make the turkey, and I have no idea how now that he is gone. I told him the news in the neighborhood, and I told him about the new PX on base. I told him anything that would make him smile.
778047
1st thing:  Breathe!  You'll get through this & have some great memories in a few years.\n\nNext, don't be embarressed for your in-laws.  It's not YOUR fault they are the way they are.  Your parents/family KNOW this. \n\nRegarding the kids, plan on doing a children's table.  2 reasons:  keep them seperate from the adults so you can have "grown up conversations" and you can use that same table for activities such as puzzles, games, crafts, etc. \n\nFor the menu:  Tell them that you had planned on traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  If they would like to make & bring barbeque, that would be great!  Then both families can share what they consider traditional.\n\nHave fun!  Remember this won't be the only time the families get together.  Make the best of it!
743093
Right after Thanksgiving
526746
HELL YEAH!  ATTA BOY AND ATTA GIRL!  Give him a great big hug and tell him "Thanks!"  My enthusiasm is tempered somewhat by a heavy heart as I remember all those who have sacrificed life, limb, innocence, and peace of mind to fight for our country, right or wrong.  Without their answering the call to duty, you and I would not enjoy the freedom to mess around on this site.\nSHALL THEY NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND ALWAYS FONDLY REMEMBERED!!!
836813
I am totally against the war in Iraq, but I have spent a lot of time over the last couple of years packaging up care packages for the holidays to send to them.\n\nDon't worry too much about lunatics that make those kinds of remarks.  We can all feel what we feel about the war itself, but the fact is that many of our soldiers are over there actually making life better for some of the Iraqis.  \n\nWhat I did was I scoured the paper for articles about local family members with loved ones overseas.  At this time of year, there are a lot of personal interest stories, since many of these families will be spending their 3rd or more Christmas without their loved one.  I'd then go to the phone book or 411 and get the phone number for the family.  I'd introduce myself and tell them what I wanted to do.  They would give me the name and address of their soldier and I'd send a care package.\n\nYou could also call a military base near you and ask if they have a "clearinghouse" for holiday cards.  They may have something set up where you can take the card/package there and then they'll forward it.\n\nI also asked around at my church.  Many many people there either had family or knew people who had family overseas.  They're a great wealth of knowledge.\n\nIn Tampa we have a group that does shoeboxes - people take a shoebox, fill it with everything from toothbrushes to Visine and take it to the Shoebox headquarters.  Those shoeboxes are then sent over to the troops.\n\nIf you're interested, a great shoebox would have:\n\nDiaper rash ointment\nVisine\nHard candy\nCrystal Light\nMagazine(s)\nSomething from your hometown (a city guide brochure, postcard, whatever)\nA picture of you and your family\nMoisturizer\nGum\nA restaurant gift certificate for when they come home\nCDs \nA handwritten message\nBaby powder\nSoap\nToothpaste\nToothbrush\n\nUse your imagination!  Imagine yourself stranded in an awful, hot, sandy place with nothing to do - what would you like to get? \n\nJust remember, cookies will be shattered to pieces by the time they get there and chocolate will have melted.  Try to keep any treats to hard candys, Twizzlers, gum and stuff like that.\n\nGood for you.  Regardless of your feelings about the war, many of the men and women over there are good, kind and decent human beings.  It means the world to them to get something - even just a card - to let them know they're remembered.\n\nIt was really cool - I sent this HUGE care package to a young man who was a platoon leader - I wrote him a note saying that he was to "play Santa" with the box and hand the stuff out to his buddies.  I had gotten his name from the paper, contacted his mom and gotten the address (I stood up at church one day and asked people to bring stuff for the box - and BOY DID THEY!!).  Anyway, several months later, I got a phone call from a local reporter.  This young man's mom had called him when I did the package and told the reporter about me.  \n\nIt turns out that the young man was coming home, LOL, and the reporter wanted to arrange a meeting between us :)  So, we met at my church and they did a little 60-second segment on the meeting.  It was very cool :)  It was nice to meet the young man and know that the stuff that was sent was needed and appreciated.\n\nIt does make a difference :)
682011
THE BEST WAY I BELIVE TO THANK US IS TO DO JUST THAT ENJOY YOURSELF.  THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE US ARMED FORCES KNOW WHAT WE ARE GETTING OURSELVES INTO AND WE ARE PREPARED TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES OF "FUN" TO TAKE CARE OF A JOB THAT MOST PEOPLE DONT EVEN HAVE A FATHAM OF DOING.  I CAN HONESLTY SAY THAT I ENJOY DOING WHAT I DO SO THAT PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR WEEKENDS ETC.  YES IT'S HARD SOMETIMES FOR US TO BE AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES LOVED ONES ETC, BUT AGAIN I STATED WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE GETTING OURSELVES INTO AND IF WE WERENT CONTENT WITH THAT WE WOULDNT BE OUT HERE DOING OUT THING.\n\nSO WITH THAT SAID THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO THANK THE PAST PREASANT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MILITARY BRANCHES (I AM IN THE NAVY BY THE WAY)(GRIN) AND JUST NOTE TO SELF THAT WHEN YOU SEE A KID FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMING HOME FOR LEAVE MAKE IT A POINT TO THANK THAT MAN/WOMAN BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE FEELING OF A STRANGER SAYING THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE.  IT REASURES YOU IN YOUR CHOICE TO DEFEND THIS COUNTRY, AND GIVE UP ALL THE THINGS OF COMFORT TO DO SO.\n\nPS. DONT FEEL AS THOUGH BECAUSE YOUR CO-WORKERS ARE STANDING AROUND TALKING ABOUT BBQ-ING AND FISHING THAT ITS SELFISH CUASE IT'S NOT, AGAIN PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND AND AOTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN MY FELLOW CORES ARE DOING IT ALL FOR A REASON.  WE ACCEPT THE ABSENCE OF FAMILY FUN/OUTINGS, AND WEEKENDS OFF TO HAVE FUN SO REST ASURE MY DEAR FRIEND "WE GOT YOU COVERED"\n\nENJOY YOURSELF BUT JUST DONT FORGET ABOUT US!\n\nHAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
12405
I have a Husband who is in the Air Foce and is deployed right now. I also have a brother in law who is Deployed. I have Alot of friends in the military as well that are deployed. My cousin too. My whole family has in ome point been military.
1103281
I check the list from time to time - but I know I'll hear about the people I'm looking for from friends before I see them on the net.\n\nBest way to support? Be strong, send care packages, letters, take advantage of video conferencing if your base has a program. My dad and I went in and bought my uncle a spare bullet proof vest, in case he misplaced his - crazy I know, but you never know.\n\nLean like hell on your family and troop support groups. Stay busy, don't read to much news. Alot of it is bad news that looks alot worse then it is.\n\nKeep the faith.
829689
I share your sorrow, having lost my father.  And it does change the holidays, that's for sure.  What we did was find a new focus and tradition.  Instead of wasting money on each other for gifts we didn't really need, we pooled our money, went to a dollar store and bought gift bags and personal items and prepared them for the homeless.  On Christmas day, we drove around and passed them out to people who had no place to be and no one to care.  The looks on their faces and their tears in their eyes made the holiday special in a whole new way.  I'm sure your Mom would be proud.
856557
MY FAMILY AND THE FACT WE ARE ALL HEALTHY AND ABLE TO SPEND THE DAY TOGETHER\n\nGOOD FOOD , THAT MY HUSBAND HAS A GOOD JOB!!!\n\nMY PETS!!!\n\nTHE FACT THAT I LIVE IN AMERICA AND WE HAVE FREEDOM !!!\n\nFOR OUR SOLDIERS THAT ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM.\n\nGOD BLESS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!
811600
My husband has been to Iraq twice, the first time for 15 months and the second for 10. He leaves again next summer for another year. The thing that helps me the most is being around other military spouses and families, because they know what I am going through (and don't ask annoying questions like "how do you do it" or "what would you do if he died" or say things like "I could never do that, it must be so hard waiting on him.") I know that being around military families may not be an option since you may not live in the town with him. The first deployment we weren't married yet and I lived in a non-military area. It was different but I was able to find a couple of people (reservists wives, etc) that were going through the same thing. If you can't find someone to hang out with, try an online support group, Yahoo Groups has a lot of them for military girlfriends/fiancees.I also do my best to stay busy, which for me has meant going to school full time. I am graduating soon, and I am planning on doing a lot of volunteer work and staying home with our baby on this next deployment. Anything that will keep you busy and keep your mind off of it as much as possible is a good thing. I also recommend writing to him as much as you can, every day if possible. I like to tell him about my day and "talk" about the kind of stuff we'd talk about if he were home for dinner. That way I don't feel like he's missed out on a whole year of my life. Mail - letters, pictures, packages - are always appreciated when they are deployed. \n\nI know it sucks, but after he has been gone for a little bit you will get into a routine. You will also learn what works for you and what doesn't. I found that the second deployment was easier because it wasn't such a new experience and it was easier for me to get into my "deployment routine." I have also found that if you wake up and tell yourself that it's going to be a good day, and don't allow yourself to do otherwise, you will feel a lot better. Good luck with his deployment and know that everything will be ok because you love each other. When he gets home all the pain and sadness will be worth it, I promise!
809769
This used to make my day even when wounded it was the highlight!  Thanks for asking.  \n\nThe United States armed forces cannot recieve cards to "any serviceman" this year due to fears of terrorism.  Instead, the Pentagon has set up a secure email system that allows anyone to send a message to "any serviceman." Just pick the branch of the service, type your message and click send.\n\nThe story behind the "to any serviceman" cards:\nSince 1967, when Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote Abigail Van Buren and mentioned that a wonderful Christmas present to our armed forces would be "just a letter from home," American citizens have been sending holiday wishes to servicemen and women stationed overseas every holiday season. Dubbed "Operation Dear Abby," the program has brought holiday joy to hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel deployed away from home.\n\nTo access the site, visit http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/\nMilitary Exchange Prepaid Calling Cards\nThe Department of Defense Military Exchanges have been authorized to sell the following prepaid calling cards to individuals and organizations who wish to purchase these cards for our troops serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.\nhttps://thor.milexch.com/scs/default.aspx\n\n12 Ways to Support Our Troops\nBy Lance Helgeson\nhttp://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/Articles/a2004-12-07-12support.html\n\nYou can adopt a specific or random service person for a prayer circle.\n\nhttp://www.presidentialprayerteam.net/troopsadopt.php  \n\nYou can write to a service person.\n\nhttp://anyservicemember.navy.mil\nThere are dozen of organizations, which allow you to purchase items and present it to a service person, but there are other options you might consider.  Visit the closest VA Hospital or for something really unique try: \nwww.snipersonline.org (They ask for contributions to buy items that the Government refuses or that is out of stock.\n\n\nGod Bless You and The Southern People.
704040
My goodness!  All those people and you're on bed rest?!?!?!\nLet everyone else bring the food, you can do potluck.\nI do have a story.  My nephew's wife was responsible one year for cooking the turkey.  She got up very early in the morning and put it on, fixed other things, then decided she would lay down for a while.  Well, of course she fell asleep, and when she woke up it was almost dinnertime.  The turkey had cooked to leather.  Luckily she is a quick thinker.  She borrowed leftover dark meat from a friend who had done her turkey the day before.  And she went to a restaurant in town and bought a cooked turkey breast.  She cut it up and stuck it on a platter together and came on to dinner at my sister's house.  Told them she had decided to carve it at home.  My mother bragged on how good and tender it was.  She didn't tell my sister (her mother-in-law) about it for years!\nSeriously, let the family help you.  They will understand.  So put your turkey in the oven (don't go to sleep and forget it, though!)\nLet the hubby straighten the house.  Let the others cook and bring a dish.  Then let them all clean up.  While they're at it, they can do the decorating while you supervise from the sofa!\nGood luck to you, and Happy Thanksgiving.