Flashback Fridays: Memorial Day Salute to Veterans

With Memorial Day on Monday, we are dedicating this week's Flashback Friday to veterans. It is the greatest sacrifice someone gives when they serve in the military. Whether it's during times of war or peace, we owe a great debt to the men and women who wear the uniform. There are many ways you can personally help support that sacrifice by collecting items for donation.

Here's some ways you can help both the industry and our servicemen and women:

Operation Paperback sends gently used books to troops deployed overseas. Since 1999, they have shipped over 1.1 million books to troops around the world. Their website says, "Many of our troops are serving far from home and living in facilities that provide few of the comforts of home. At the end of the duty day, the opportunity to escape into a good book is welcomed. Every week we receive thanks from troops who are glad to be appreciated and remembered." There are two ways you can help. First, you can give a monetary donation. Second, you can collect books and actually ship them directly to the troops. To do this, you will need to register with their site.

Books for Soldiers was started during the first Gulf War as a way to get rid of used books as well as helping find entertainment and enjoyment for soldiers. BFS is a non-profit corporation, operated as a ministry of the non-denominational, interfaith Order of the Red Grail church in North Carolina. You can register on the site and send books to either individuals or a unit.

Beanies for Bagdad: "Beanies for Baghdad is a bridge between our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, the children of Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan and very generous kind hearted people back home who want to do a small part to make the world a better place. Our Network of Points of Contact receive joy in passing out donations to young children who have suffered so much and have so little happiness in their life. Many of the children live in extreme poverty. Your support is very much appreciated as the requests from the troops remains strong."

If you're interested in doing Care Packages for a soldier or a unit, here are some websites that will help:

AnySoldier

Operation Gratitude

Give to the Troops

With Love From Home

We would also like to highlight some of our family who served their country

Krista's grandfather, Herbert Ashe, served in Navy on the USS Kenyon destroyer.

Jamie's grandfather, James DeShon, served in the Navy on the USS Hilbert. Her other grandfather, John Marochino also served in the Navy. Her husband, Mike Blair, is veteran of Desert Storm.

And Jennifer's grandfather, Jackson C Gates, also served in WWII

Although she was Canadian, Kathleen's aunt, Ivah Sherrard, served in the US Women Army Corp. Both of Kathleen's grandfather's were Canadian Army veterans, and their service to their country should be noted.

Krista's dad, Raye Ashe, served with the 11th Armored Calvary in Vietnam during 66' and 67. His tour came during the heightened use of Agent Orange, a pesticide used to defoliate the jungle. However, it had long term health effects on both the servicemen and citizens of Vietnam. In 1997, Raye passed away from Soft Tissue Sarcoma, an Agent Orange related cancer.

So on this Memorial Day and everyday, please remember to keep our servicemen and women overseas in your thoughts and prayers