<p>This is an interesting idea.....(2 1/2 minute video)... Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how, or it felt awkward?</p>
<p>Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used to express your thanks and has started a movement to get the word out...</p>
<p>Please take just a moment to watch..... The Gratitude Salute...and then forward it to your friends! I wonder if it will catch on.</p>
<p>This weekend I found out about another way to thank service members and their families. Check out: [Dear</a> American Hero](<a href=“http://www.dearamericanhero.com%5DDear”>http://www.dearamericanhero.com). You can request free business sized cards to hand to service members. These can be given to veterans of any age. They even have thank you cards to give to the families of service members.</p>
<p>A friend ordered cards and gave me a few yesterday. I’m looking forward to using them.</p>
<p>Folks, this is lame. This is an attempt that is going to be laughed at. It’s so very PC in it’s desire to “show respect” but in reality all it is going to do is to make them think “yeah, right”. If one really cares, then how about actually doing something? Walk over to them, talk with them, give them a ride if needed, buy them lunch, pay for some cabfare, something other than a trite little hand sign that looks oh so contrived and insincere. How about a simple wave, that will do the same thing and not be received as a shallow gesture saying, “I wish I had time to actually get up off my duff and say something to you, but I’ll just do this hokey-pokey sign and well, you’ll understand, right?”</p>
<p>This may be a good place to discuss existing programs that benefit military members and their families. For example, I donate gently used clothing items and magazines to our local VA hospital. I also have some cell phones that I’m considering sending to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>“I wish I had time to actually get up off my duff and say something to you, but I’ll just do this hokey-pokey sign and well, you’ll understand, right?” </p>
<p>majmattmason: your opinion may be accurate, but I think the sign even if “hokey” is still a nice gesture. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that this gesture would take the place of more meaningful contributions when possible. From my own experience walking through airports one sees many service members, and it is not possible to walk over and talk to them all, or buy them all lunch. If one can, your suggestions are great! Sadly, I suspect not even the “hokey” gesture will become the norm. </p>
<p>More substantial “thank you” suggestions that we support include: </p>
<p>Being part of the West Point community it is easy to “adopt a graduate” which makes it easy to send needed items to their platoons.</p>
<p>Volunteer or donate to USO
[USO</a> | Support our Troops | United Service Organizations | Donate to Support the USO](<a href=“http://www.uso.org/]USO”>http://www.uso.org/)</p>
<p>I guess it all depends on the person. I heard about the cards from a couple with a son in the Marines. He has received them on two occasions. He said they are meaningful to him and keeps them in his pocket while deployed. This young Marine has been in airports and has had several offers from others to buy him coffee, buy his meal, etc. He turns these offers down because he doesnt feel it is appropriate but would never turn down a simple thank you.</p>
<p>Sometimes people feel awkward walking up to a soldier and saying thank you, but would not have a problem handing them a card or making some kind of gesture to show their appreciation.</p>
<p>You are free to use this information or discard it as you desire, but dont put down others ideas for recognizing the contributions of our military.</p>
<p>Another way to help is to donate to the USO as I have done for years.</p>
<p>Another way to support our troops and families is the Overseas Coupon Program. It can be found at ocpnet.org. You send unused coupons for the families at our bases overseas to use at the commissaries. Since the mail is going to military bases, the postage is the same as if you were sending the coupons stateside. You also get the opportunity to adopt a specific base. The coupons are even honored for a few months past their expiration date.</p>
<p>We just found out about an amazing group. They really do a lot to support military families!</p>
<p>The group is Called the “Pease Greeters”. ([Welcome</a> to Pease Greeters. Serving America’s Heroes One Flight at a Time.](<a href=“http://peasegreeters.org%5DWelcome”>http://peasegreeters.org))</p>
<p>Not only do they greet the men and women who are deploying or returning (through the old Pease AFB), they actively get involved with care packages, etc. It is a volunter group that is very much involved!</p>