Web sites support troops

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A variety of online Web sites are available to assist U.S. military troops and the efforts of those that wish to support them.

A Department of Defense Web page will include as many names as possible and a brief message thanking the men and women of the U.S. military services for defending our freedom. Visit http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html and add your name to the list. It included 8.4 million names as of Wednesday morning.

The site includes links to all military branches, how people can help via the Civil Air Patrol, Coast Guard Auxiliary, FBI, Red Cross, Salvation Army, USA Freedom Corps and USO. Links to transcripts from the Defense and State Departments and White House are also available.

Recommendations for care packages to be sent overseas and what to put in them can be found at www.OperationShoeBox.com. Locally, anyone wishing to help can call Tami Nielsen at 359-5584 2-9 p.m. or e-mail her at daveandtami@newulmtel.net

To ensure military force protection, however, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend.

The Department of Defense suspended "Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Servicemember" mail programs due to force protection concerns. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting material and mail from family and loved ones.

The Department of Defense refers troop supporters to the USO, which accepts $25 donations toward Pentagon-approved packages for soldiers headed overseas. Packages contain items military personnel have requested including CDs, books, toiletries, sunscreen, and the most popular, calling cards -- along with a message from the person who provided the contribution.

The public is encouraged to log on to Web sites to show support including greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones:

* www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html

* www.usocares.org/home.htm

* www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html

* Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes.

* Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts.

* Mail from family members and loved ones has always been encouraged. The military mail system will continue to work hard to get mail to overseas service members.