LJ Idol Season 6, Week 1: Empty Gestures

Tie a yellow ribbon
Round the old oak tree
It's been three long years
Do you still want me?

I have yellow ribbons tied to my mailbox, the tree in my yard and as a bow next to the front door. The ribbons are faded and frayed now, but every time my husband has made it home he's seen them, and he's known I've thought of him every day. In the last year, he's been home a grand total of four weeks, one of those only due to emergency leave when I had surgery. Most of the time he's been circling Africa, chasing pirates.

I see a lot of magnetic yellow "ribbons" stuck to the backs of cars, many of them emblazoned "Support your troops." I still haven't figured out how those are supporting much of anything, except for some manufacturer who outsources production to China to keep costs low. Support the troops? More like salve any guilt for not doing anything else.

Do you want to really support the troops? Send a letter. I can guarantee you that right now, someone's child is laying on a cot inches above desert sand wondering if the sun is going to rise over an empty bed tomorrow, afraid no one will notice one more statistic in the rising number of military personnel killed in action. Right now there are troops who don't believe anyone will care if they live or die. Who supports them?

Sending a letter overseas costs half of the normal price of a yellow magnet. A care package costs more but does a world of good. There are some things that are in short supply in any combat zone.

• Pre-packaged, non-perishable foods (jerky, trail mix, cookies, ramen, etc) Please note servicemembers are instructed to throw away any home-made foods from an unknown source, so no home-baked cookies. :( Also be aware of peanut allergies and put in a note if any peanut products are included.
• Ground coffee
• Books and magazines
• Laundry detergent
• Personal clip lights; many servicepeople are in large, warehouse-like settings with no bedside lights for private reading once the overhead lights are off.
• Headphones
• Calling cards
• Personal hygiene items; toothpaste, soap, deodorant, brushes, feminine supplies.
• Instant ice packs
• Blank cards, stationery, pens and envelopes (include one pre-addressed to you if you want the recipient to send you a thank-you).
• Baby wipes.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Beanie babies--these make great gifts for local kids
• Heavy-duty boot socks
• Condoms (a condom pulled over the barrel of a gun keeps sand out during a sandstorm).
• Foot-care packages.
• Air fresheners.

These aren't extreme or expensive items, and most people could easily send a small package with two or three items and a simple letter of thanks.

There are a number of ways to find out where to send a care package. The local National Guard and American Legion offices will have information on contacting specific units. Web sites like AnySoldier.com (there are affiliates for each branch of the military) are run by military families. These provide an opportunity to select a specific servicemember and see exactly what their needs are before sending a package out. This is the most reliable way of sending a package, as the USPS won't deliver mail marked "Any Soldier."

Support your troops in a way that really matters.


This is my entry for Week One of LJ Idol. The topic is "Empty Gestures."