Q: What is a good way of supporting our troops when one doesn't necessarily have access to troops in which to show one's support directly, and one doesn't feel "stupid bumper stickers" are adequate/ legitimate expressions of support? What does supporting our troops look like?
I'm inclined to believe supporting our troops is saying so in conversations with others. I suppose it also involves voting. How much effort does one need expend to show support for our troops in order to be a legitimate expression of support?

A: Amazing question(s). To me, supporting the troops means something along the lines of supporting their hardships. Anytime I tell people about military life, I explain that whatever social issue we experience as a civilian is amplified by the intense life that surrounds military service.

For example, alcoholism, suicide, divorce, and domestic abuse statistics are marginally higher among military families. On a personal level, one can lend a listening ear to someone going through these problems. On a non-personal level, there are several organizations dedicated to helping military families find ways out of dark corners.

Local VFW chapters, like Post 5901 here in town, make frequent trips up to the VA hospital in Leavenworth to bring gifts and entertain wounded vets. In addition, local veterans groups will know more about volunteer opportunities than I probably do.

One thing I like to do is pick up the tab at a drive-thru or restaurant. It doesn't happen very often and I could count on one hand the number of times I have actually had the chance to do it, but it's a good silent way of helping them not spend what little money they are actually given for their jobs. When you're in the drive-thru, and notice a car with men or women in uniform, tell the cashier at the window that you'd like to pay for their meals, as well. (Just hope they're not ordering for the whole platoon!)

As you said, voting is key. I can't stress to people enough that we live in an age where information about candidates is readily available. Yet, we still have voters who are willfully ignorant about the people they elect simply because they have one letter or another (signifying a political party) by their name.

Pick an issue, make sure your candidate agrees with you, and vote accordingly. This stuff is not that hard to do. When it comes to veterans issues, look for a candidate who has voted to increase the hiring of vets for new jobs, or fund educational benefits in the new GI Bill, or build a new wing on a VA hospital. Every time we elect people who support those kinds of legislation, we support the troops.

A lot of schools organize letters and care packages to send to deployed men and women. If you don't have kids in school, or even if you don't have kids, you can throw together a small box for a random soldier and make their day a little brighter.

You be surprised how far even a letter can go in terms of lifting morale.

Bumper stickers are a great way of saying what you think. However, if the proceeds don't go to help the cause you're displaying, what are you really saying?

Tyler J.