Servicemen Sunday: The Idea

To learn about Servicemen Sundays, read below. 

To read the current Servicemen Sunday Spotlights, click on these links:

4/25/2011 Servicemen Sunday: In Memory - Terry
4/10/2011 Servicemen Sunday: Thomas
3/27/2011 Servicemen Sunday: Don
2/6/2011 Servicemen Sunday: Paul
1/23/2011 Servicemen Sunday: Oliver
1/9/2011 Servicemen Sunday: Larry
12/5/2010 Servicemen Sunday: Corbin
11/21/2010 Servicemen Sunday: Joel
11/7/2010 Servicemen Sunday: Terry

In this part of the world where I live, there is no military base close by. There is no city big enough to warrant any frequent encounter with soldiers or military personnel. As a result, my children have little awareness about the war that is and has been going on for, well, for as long as any of my children have existed. Talking about war isn't exactly dinner table talk when your children are young. Even still, I think they need to be aware - aware that every day, men and women are serving, fighting, sacrificing to defend this blessed country. I want my children to realize that this world is a lot bigger than the here and now of their day to day lives. I don't want them to be frightened, to worry unnecessarily, but I do want them to be grateful.

But how?

My blogging friend Emily, who blogs over at The Good Frau, wrote about the efforts she made to help her son express gratitude. She tells of an afternoon when she and her son ran into a soldier in uniform, in the post office. Her son was visibly interested in this man, so the soldier smiled and stopped to say hello.

"Tell him thank you," she told her little boy. Her son's response nearly made her cry.

"What did he give me?" he asked.

A poignant question, and one that set her on a mission to help her son (and her) express gratitude to those serving in the military. She decided to make "Thank a soldier" cards that she carries with her and hands out should she ever encounter a serviceman or woman.

A brilliant plan, and one that inspired me to do something myself, for my children's sake, and for mine. It wouldn't hurt any of us to stop every once in a while and truly consider what war means for military families.

So this is my plan:

Every Sunday, (or every other Sunday, or as often as time and life allow) I will post a highlight, honoring one of the men or women currently serving in the armed forces. You'll learn a little about their job in the military and a little about their family. In this way, I hope to make things feel a bit more personal. When you aren't living the military life, it's easy to go days, weeks, even months without really considering anything beyond the little snippets of war we hear on the news. I hope it isn't too much for us to take a moment, each week, and bring front and center, not the politics, or the stratagems of war, but the people. Read the post to yourself, read it out loud to your children, and then take a minute and say thank you. On these posts, I ask that you leave a comment - an expression of gratitude for these people that sacrifice so much in the name of service and freedom. Whatever your political affiliation, whether you like our current administration or don't, support the war, or oppose; these honorable families need prayers, support, and gratitude.

At the end of each week, I will compile your comments into a special email and send them along to the highlighted serviceman and their families. It isn't much, really. Just words. But behind positive words, are positive thoughts and positive prayers. And who doesn't need more of those? The first post will drop this Sunday. Watch for it, will you?

Can you help? Do you know of someone that deserves to be highlighted? Shoot me an email and let me know. Don't worry - I do all the work! All I need is a little bit of information and a picture, if you're willing to share. For the sake of privacy and the safety of all involved, last names or home locations will not be disclosed. mommysnark@gmail.com Please include in the subject of your email "Serviceman Sunday".

What else can you do? Spread awareness by inviting others to come and leave comments of support and gratitude. A few minutes of time, a few kind words of support can go a long way!