Married to the Military: A Survival Guide for Military Wives, Girlfriends, and Women in Uniform
With Operation Iraqi Freedom winding down, it’s easy to forget about our military troops and their families.  Unfortunately, the peacekeeping effort is the most dangerous part of the battle, and even after the January elections in Iraq many service members have no idea when they will be sent home.  Your support means so much to our troops and their families, and here are some things you can do to wave the flag:Nearly every neighborhood in America is home to a deployed service member who has left behind a spouse and kids.  Help these families by offering to babysit the kids or mow the lawn.  The spouse will be overjoyed, and the service member will be relieved to know that his or her community is taking care of his family while he is gone.If you don’t know any military families, donate to a charity like Operation Homefront that provides emergency services to these families.  You’ll help offset the "Murphy’s Law" of the military, which is the minute a service member deploys away from his family the roof will leak, the car will break down and the plumbing will burst. Knowing their families are cared for, service members can then focus on the dangerous task at hand.Send a greeting to a service member through Operation Dear Abby (http://www.OperationDearAbby.net) or Defend America’s virtual thank you card (http://www.defendamerica.mil).  You’d be surprised at how many service members in Iraq actually read your comments and find themselves inspired.Donate blood to the American Red Cross.  Military hospitals are filled with wounded, and you never know what hero needs your blood to continue the fight.Most importantly, don’t forget to thank our troops and families in person.  If you see a young mom with a military sticker on her car, take a moment to thank her for doing her part.  Nothing brightens up the day of a struggling military wife like your heartfelt appreciation. --Don’t Forget Our Troops and Their Families!--An Essay by Meredith Leyva