Saturday, January 12, 2008

Calendar provides year of troop-support ideas

New Year’s resolutions frequently include good intentions, such as joining a gym, calling parents or organizing closets. But, through its America Supports You program, the DoD is helping Americans resolve to support the nation’s servicemembers throughout 2008, with a 12-month calendar suggesting ways to support the nation’s military men and women and their families each month.

The calendar, can be downloaded into Outlook or iCal calendars from http://www.americasupportsyou.mil. The site offers ideas on how individuals can support the troops, but also has information about troop-support groups in their area.

Some suggestions on the calendar include remembering overseas troops around Valentine’s Day or lending a helping hand to military families during April, the Month of the Military Child.
When summer rolls around, the June calendar includes a reminder to donate frequent-flier miles to servicemembers and their families who often are separated around vacation time.
September brings the opportunity to join in or plan a local America Supports You Freedom Walk to commemorate victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor veterans, past and present.

The calendar also includes ways to honor servicemembers on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
The calendar is available from the New Year’s Resolution icon on http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.