Support Our Troops

Thank you for your interest in supporting our troops. Many caring citzens are asking what they can do to support the service men, women, and families of the U.S. Military. Following is a listing of organizations providing opportunities to offer support. These links are provided as a service only. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Air National Guard.

• Air Force Aid Society
• America Supports You
• Defend America
• Gifts from the Homefront Certificates
• Give the Gift of Groceries
• Operation Dear Abbey
• Operation Hero Miles
• Operation Uplink
• Treasures for Troops
• United Service Organizations (USO)
• United States Postal Service (USPS)
• Volunteer at a Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital

Air Force Aid Society
Is an official charity of the U.S. Air Force that promotes the Air Force mission by helping to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and assisting them to finance their education, help individuals with personal emergencies, and much more.

America Supports You
Is a nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense, that recognizes citizens' support for our military men and women and communicates that support to members of our Armed Forces at home and abroad.

Defend America
Is an official Department of Defense web site that offers a wealth of information of how to offer support our troops. They also offer an opportunity to " Send a Note of Thanks to the U.S. Military", as well as, information on where and how to give blood through the Armed Services Blood Donation Program.

"Gifts from the Homefront" Certificates
This is an Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) program that provides the opportunity to purchase gift certificates to an individual military family member, family member, friend or loved one. They can use it at any military exchange (AAFES, NEX, MCX, Coast Guard Exchange) retail store around the world including those supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Give the Gift of Groceries
A program sponsored by the Defense Commissary Agency, provides the service of purchasing commissary gift certificates for distribution to help a military member.

Operation Dear Abbey
An on-line way of sending a special message of encouragement and hope to our men and women in the military defending American freedom worldwide.

Operation Hero Miles
Soldiers on R & R or emergency leave from Iraq or nearby countries fly into Baltimore Washington International Airport, then have to pay their own way to see their families. Operation Hero Miles communicates information to the American public, the troops and their families about the airline donation programs so these soldiers can see their families and loved ones as soon as possible.

Operation Uplink
Through the generous donations of supporters, Operation Uplink provides free phone cards so miliaty members and their families can keep in touch while they are separated from one another serving their country.

Treasures for Troops
The American Red Cross is launching Treasures for Troops, an exciting year round program that offers a way for Americans to brighten the day for deployed men and women in uniform serving overseas. You can provide troops with a gift from home with a $20 donation to the American Red Cross Treasures for the Troops program.

United Service Organizations (USO)
Is an organization dedicated to providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress—and enduring style of USO delivery—is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. Their "Support Our Troops" section of their web site provides many opportunities and a listing of other ways to provide support.

United States Postal Service
Offers advise and information on keeping in touch with our troops overseas.

Volunteer at a Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital
VA offers caring individuals who may or may not have the time many opportunities on how to provide support to our American Heroes.