| July 7, 2006 | | | | contribution to scholarship funds set up for the |
| When President Bush spoke to the soldiers and | | | | children of our fallen heroes. You can find out how to |
| civilians at Fort Bragg on Independence Day, he called | | | | volunteer your time and energy to any number of |
| on all Americans to make some kind of contribution | | | | causes, or you can choose to provide monetary |
| to our servicemen and women "...because every one | | | | support to groups that are making daily, meaningful |
| of us owes our freedom to these courageous | | | | contributions to the lives of our soldiers and their |
| Americans." | | | | families. |
| Supporting the men and women who dedicate their | | | | Our military is made up of men and women who are |
| lives to the defense of our nation can mean so much | | | | proud of their service and who would never ask for |
| more than just a "Support Our Troops" bumper | | | | anything from the American public. They would never |
| sticker or a yellow ribbon car magnet. Any citizen can | | | | ask for organizations like Homes for Our Troops, a |
| utter patriotic phrases, fly a flag, or put up a | | | | Massachusetts group that builds specially modified |
| red-white-and-blue sign as a show of support for | | | | homes for those who have been severely wounded |
| those who willingly sacrifice the comforts of our | | | | answering their nation's call. |
| society to ensure that everyone else can continue | | | | They would never ask for assistance from the Fisher |
| their lives uninterrupted by the realities of war. | | | | House organization, which provides lodging away |
| But for those who can do more and want to do | | | | from home for family members of our wounded, so |
| more than offer a few gestures, although the | | | | that they can be with their loved ones when they |
| gestures are certainly appreciated, President Bush | | | | need it most. And they would never ask for services |
| provided a gentle nudge in the right direction when | | | | like those provided by the Freedom Calls Foundation, |
| he referred his audience to AmericaSupportsYou.mil, | | | | which uses state-of-the-art technology to help our |
| a Department of Defense sponsored web site that | | | | servicemen and women in Iraq stay in touch with |
| provides a wealth of resources to help support those | | | | their families. |
| who fight and die so that we don't have to. | | | | Those selfless individuals who serve our country so |
| Whether you want to read or send messages to | | | | well would never ask for anything in return, for |
| soldiers in harm's way, donate a computer or | | | | themselves or for their families. But equally selfless |
| frequent flyer miles, or provide a gift certificate or | | | | Americans can step up and make a contribution in |
| phone card, there's a link to an organization that can | | | | any number of ways. AmericaSupportsYou.mil can |
| help you support one or more of our service | | | | help point you in the right direction, if you want to |
| members. | | | | help our soldiers. Because when all is said and done, |
| With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can send | | | | supporting our troops is more than just a phrase. |
| care packages to Iraq or Afghanistan or make a | | | | |