Remembering Others at the Holidays

I know, it is mid-October and the thought of the holidays is probably not first and foremost in the midst of the political and economic climate in our country. In spite of this, Thanksgiving will be here in just 45 days AND just 28 days later it will be Christmas.

Just as retailers have already been thinking about Christmas for a couple of months in order to be ready for the selling season, it is also necessary to think about sharing holiday wishes with out troops who will not be home for the holidays. It takes a long time for military mail to reach our military heroes and if it is to arrive in time for Christmas, some forethought must start NOW! By the time that the non-stop holiday music is playing it will almost be too late to include our brave fighting men and women in our plans. In the past, I had participated in the "Any service person" mail program, but this has been discontinued. eMail Our Military has taken up where this effort stopped to provide a way for holiday greetings from all over the country can be sent to miliary personnel stationed all over the world.

Today eMail Our Military announced their 7th Annual Holiday Love Project for our Troops and I want to make sure that the word is spread. Check out their blog, http://tinyurl.com/4uj6jn for a list of things that you, your family, friends, co-workers, scout troops, community group, church.....could do to be sure that warmest holiday wishes reach as many of our troops in foreign lands as possible.

Get in the holiday mood by hosting a Hanukkah or Christmas card party. Either buy cards and have a signing party or, better yet, have a card MAKING party and get out your best papers, stamping supplies, markers, colored inks and even some of the scrapbooking supplies that you have sitting in the closet. It is so much better to give than to receive and this takes just a little effort to bring so much joy.

While you are visiting eMail our Military's site, don't forget to look at all of the other ways that you can contribute year round to keep young men and women far away from family and home connected. Do it for those who are fighting to protect YOUR freedom and have a Blessed Holiday.