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The Department of Defense has asked the public to stop sending unsolicited letters, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend of military personnel in the war in Iraq. If you are interesting in finding ways you can help, read our compiled list of resources and suggestions below.

1. Visit those who have served the country at "Veterans Affairs" hospitals in your area
2. Donate Calling Cards to help keep servicemembers in touch with their families at www.operationuplink.org
3. Send support, motivational quotes, or caring thoughts to our soldiers via the website www.operationdearabby.net, which allows people to send messages via e-mail that soldiers can read online. The messages can be viewed for at least two days.
4. Send a greeting via e-mail through http://anyservicemember.org/ or a virtual thank you card at the Defend America Web site at http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html
5. Reach out to military families in your community, especially those with a loved one overseas.
6. Make a donation to one of the military relief societies:

• Army Emergency Relief at http://www.aerhq.org/
• Navy/Marine Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org/
• Air Force Aid Society at http://www.afas.org/
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance at http://www.cgmahq.org/
• Donate to "Operation USO Care Package" at http://www.usometrodc.org/care.html
• Support the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/
• Volunteer at a VA Hospital http://www.va.gov/vetsday/ to honor veterans who bore the lamp of freedom in past conflicts.
• Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA hospitals through a donation to the Fisher House at http://www.fisherhouse.org.
• Support your troops and lift their spirits by sending them a special "Gifts From the Homefront" certificate at http://www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm

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