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SUPPORT MILITARY WIVES

by Suzanne Speight
Military Wives

Military wives don't get parades. Instead, while their husbands defend our freedom, military wives fend for their families.

From yellow ribbons to care-package projects, it seems that everyone wants to "support the troops" these days. But as our service members answer the call of duty in Iraq and other locations, the challenges faced by their spouses are often overlooked, as army wives are left alone to manage their households and act as both mother and father, usually in a strange town and with no other family.

When the military calls a National Guard or Reserve solider into sudden active duty, an army wife becomes an instant "single parent", faced with unrelenting 24/7 sole responsibility for child care, ailing grandparents, bills, and household repairs.

Fortunately, you can support our troops overseas by supporting military spouses at home.

Volunteer your skills: Military spouses need a wide variety of support, including: auto repair, baby sitting, bookkeeping, carpentry, carpet cleaning, computer repair, cooking, electrical repairs, hauling, HVAC repair, lawn care, legal advice, painting, personal care, pet sitting, plumbing, transportation, and tutoring. You can find volunteer opportunities to help via a local Operation Homefront chapter.

Recycle your old cell phone, PDA, toner cartridges or laptop: CinCHouse bills itself as "The Nonprofit Community of Military Wives and Women". The value of the recycled items generates needed funding for CinCHouse's national programs. Send smaller shipments (10 items or less), through a partnership with Operation Homefront, to:

Operation Homefront
c/o Access Recycling
451 W 69th St.
Loveland, CO 80538

For quantities of 10 items or more, Access Recycling may pay for free FedEx shipping, if you apply for a pre-paid shipping label.

Post a message of support: Military Wives and Moms offers two moderated message boards where individuals can post thoughts, thanks and insights. You can submit poems, songs and other inspirational thoughts on the "words to military wives" section.