Monday, Nov 27, 2006
As Operation Iraqi Freedom continues, it appears more people are wondering what they at home can do, how they can become involved and how they can support our troops.
I am a member of the Soldiers' Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping support our military stationed wherever we raise our country's flag. When I first became involved, I didn't realize how important my participation would become to me. I simply knew how much I appreciated my freedom, and that once again, our brave men and women were asked to put their lives on the line to defend and protect the freedom and security I enjoy.
There are so many soldiers, so many families and so many heroes who need our help, and this was a wonderful opportunity for me to take that first step in showing them someone cares, appreciates them and honors them. It didn't take long to realize Soldiers' Angels weren't asking that much. I was free to become as involved as I wanted.
My own journey began with my first adoptee and multiplied from there. I write them almost every day, and my list of names keeps growing. Although some of my "adoptees" are of various ages, the majority are young — 18, 19 and 20. Some are away for the first time, lonely, brave, scared and idealistic. They come from small towns, farms and cities — hometowns just like ours — across the United States, each with his or her own goals and dreams, many of which won't be fulfilled or realized.
They write letters filled with hope and uncertainty, fear and despair and unpretentious gratitude. They describe living conditions, the desperately poor children, the lack of schools and medical facilities. There is pride when they write about sharing their supplies with the Iraqi people. I can almost see the smiles on their face when the write about some of the children now wearing shoes instead of newspapers wrapped around their feet.
All of this because of their efforts and generous support from United States citizens like you.
They talk about the progress they are making on building roads, schools and hospitals, but mostly they write about home, getting a card or letter, seeing their children, the food they miss, and their loved ones. Above all, they never fail to mention how grateful they are for the cards, letters, support and prayers.
Like one soldier wrote, "It's knowing that somebody cares, we're really not forgotten, and you're getting a little piece of home."
I feel I owe these men and women so much more than simply putting a magnet on my car or flying the flag. Yes, I owe them and their families consistent, tangible, support from deployment to homecoming and thereafter. For these reasons, I will continue to remain a "Soldiers' Angel."
I would like to encourage anyone who shares these feelings to consider becoming an angel. The Web site is www.soldiersangels.org. Please help support our military men and women!
Michelle Caracas is a native of Utica and a U.S. Air Force veteran (1995-2001), having served as a medic in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bosnia. She is now a nurse with Hospice and lives in Utica.
1 comment:
Many of Michelle's reasons for becomeing a soldier's angel mirror my own reasons. Sometimes it seems such a small thing to do for our soldiers, but it is something. If I can make someone feel loved and supported, well, that is something. I know it makes me feel special.
Post a Comment