Life in the military is a roller coaster. There is no other way to put it. Often, it's like we're sitting in the car waiting to start, anticipating the thrill of a new and exciting ride and dreading the unexpected dips and swerves hidden around every curve. Then we're living the roller coaster ride itself (I think my family is going down one of the very steep hills at the moment; I can feel my stomach rolling and turning on a daily basis as we're looking for a place to call home for the next year and not finding what we hoped for). And, for very brief moments of time, the ride is over and we revel in the feeling of having survived the experience and relish the adrenaline high. Until the next time, which is just around the corner.
One of the things that helps when life is like a roller coaster is to have a friend who understands, a person who gets it or at least tries to get it. We military folks rely on each other for support on a daily basis. But after more than 10 years of war, after myriad deployments, after move upon move, military families are stressed and burned out.
That's one reason why I love NFTT so much - the people who put this effort together try to get it - they try to understand military life and help make it a little bit better.
At it's most basic level, NFTT gets you to think about what life might be like for a soldier deployed overseas. The people who do the planning have to connect - they have to put themselves in the shoes of those deployed and think, "What do those guys and gals need this year?" Hopefully, you make that connection as well - those packages are much more than supplies; they are proof that people on the homefront care.
Within those packages, military troops find more than stuff; it isn't just about the peanut butter! They find letters written by people like you and artwork from kids like your own. That is the second way NFTT provides an opportunity for civilians and military to connect. It's a safe way for the military member - believe it or not, there are folks out there who would take advantage of this connection and use the opportunity to proselytize or to gather information for later use. It's why we don't send packages to "Any Soldier" any more.
If you reach out to a soldier or sailor, to an airman or a Marine, they might reach out and write back and connect with you. Some have written back to NFTT:
Hey, this is Sgt. Martin. I'm a recipient of one of the many packages that you took the time and money to put together. Man, we sure do appreciate the support. You know people like yourself really make our job easy to do because you always appreciate what we work hard doing.
Excerpt from Letters from the Front
That appreciation is a big deal. The job is hard enough to do without the stress of being in a foreign country, of being in hostile territory, of being away from family and friends for months on end. The appreciation of showing you care may not make it all better, but it does make life a little easier.
There is a third connection and we're taking part in it right now - I'm a military wife and by writing a diary for NFTT, it places you and I in a space and time together. We have an opportunity to connect. We can get to know each other better. You can ask me questions about our crazy life and I can ask you about yours. We can commiserate about how tough things can be and envy the things that make each of our lives great but that each of us can't have because of the lifestyles we have chosen.
So, tell me... if you left home for months at a time to go do a job in a foreign country, what would you like to find in that care package? I would want Yogi brand Green Kombucha Tea, the NYTimes Sunday Magazine and sharp pencils with good erasers for the crossword puzzles I never seem to finish.
Can't donate money today? Then I will donate a dollar for you if you leave me a comment telling me what you would like to find in that box if you were sent overseas!
And, remember, for every dollar that gets donated in this diary up to $500 - we have an anonymous donor matching us. Please mention your donation in the comments below so that we can make sure we get every dollar possible.
Netroots For The Troops
Netroots For The Troops® is raising funds to send Care Packages to our soldiers stationed overseas.
We are asking all of you to support our efforts and to also make a contribution for this worthwhile cause.
Over the years, many soldiers have sent letters to express their appreciation for these Care Packages and even posted thanks at Daily Kos
It was in the middle six months of my assignment in Afghanistan that the packages started arriving. I received an array of things from them… letters, candy, toothpaste, floss, baby wipes, razors, food, socks, books, dvd’s. The list could go on and on. It was amazing. Netroots for the Troops was always there... The packages were a reminder that our country knows about our fight. Every day, because of their support, I knew that if it was going to be my last day, I would be remembered and I would be honored.
Please make a donation HERE. Thank you from the entire 2012 NFTT Team.
Netroots For The Troops® is a project of Netroots for the Troops, Inc., a Virginia non-profit corporation. The organization raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of Care Packages to American military in war zones and to provide assistance to military families in the United States. Netroots For The Troops, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
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The NFTT diaries are a way for the Daily Kos community to support the troops in Afghanistan. We send them packages of items they might not otherwise receive through the normal military process but that they find useful. This is a non-political diary. While we understand there are differing views on the wars and the warriors, the site gives plenty of opportunity to express those views elsewhere. Furthermore, we would hope that users do not engage with those that attempt to hijack or otherwise disrupt these diaries.
We appreciate your understanding and support. Thanks!