Salute to our troops on Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day to all those who are serving our country or who have served our country with their service. 

I read this article in Sunday's Parade Magazine and thought it worth sharing today.  Perhaps there is something in the list that you can do to show your appreciation for our veterans and those still in uniform.

• Upgrade a soldier's helmet
  For $35, you can provide a service member cushioning helmet pads to help protect against traumatic brain injury.
  operation-helmet.org
• Foster a companion animal
  Pets for Vets pairs shelter dogs with veterans in an effort to ease the emotional wounds of war. Volunteers are needed to offer foster care for rescues, as are professional trainers to prepare the dogs for their new roles.
  pets-for-vets.com
• Help throw a baby shower
  Celebrate an expectant mom whose husband is deployed or injured by sending a gift or volunteering in person at a party hosted by Operation Shower.
  operationshower.org
• Mail a care package
  Look up specific requests for reading material, DVDs, games, and relief supplies from service members in all five branches of the military; pack the items with a letter of thanks and ship them off.
  booksforsoldiers.com
• Tune in to Tim McGraw
  As part of his initiative with Chase and Operation Homefront to provide mortgage-free homes for vets and service members in need, the country star is performing a concert tonight for military families, to air on the Pentagon channel and on his website (8:45 p.m. ET).
  timmcgraw.com
• Support a Mission Continues fellow
  The Mission Continues fellowship program allows post-9/11 veterans to continue serving at home by volunteering for 26 weeks with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and American Red Cross. Your donation can help vets finds ways to channel their skills as they transition back to the civilian world.
  Missioncontinues.org
• Share your points
  Transfer your hotel rewards points to Fisher House Foundation’s “Hotels for Heroes” program, which provides accommodations to the families of military service members who are undergoing medical treatment.
  Fisherhouse.org
• Offer a vet a ride
  Join the VA’s Volunteer Transportation Network and you can drive veterans to and from their appointments for services.
  Volunteer.va.gov
• Donate gifts for kids in Iraq and Afghanistan
  Operation Give collects toys and school and art supplies that our troops can then distribute to to local children in the areas where they are serving.
  Operationgive.org
• Share your expertise
  Sign up to teach a class or be a mentor to wounded veterans interested in exploring business opportunities after they leave the hospital.
  100entproject.org
• Send a holiday card
  To date, amillionthanks.org has delivered more than six million letters to service members and veterans. This holiday season, express your appreciation for our troops with a festive card containing a personal message or prayer, postmarked by December 1.    http://www.amillionthanks.org/

Ashley with her cousin's son - the day before she left for Iraq

Jeff when he was in the Army