I'm a patriotic guy in my mid-twenties. I will soon be living near an air force base. Some friends and me want to do something to support the troops stationed there but I don't know what they would appreciate. Any ideas?
2007-12-05 17:25:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Thanks for all the great answers, it's Beale Air Force Base near Marysville (about half an hour north of Sacramento, northern California).
2007-12-06 18:09:04 · update #1
Yes there are plenty of things you can do for us. Make care packages for troops overseas volunteer on base perhaps find a job on base. Contact the base and let them know what you want to do and i'm sure they'll help you out. Which base is it by the way? I am an airmen as well and thank you for your support. Its good to see that someone cares and not always get critisized.
2007-12-05 17:36:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are all kinds of things and ways. One is that since the holidays are coming up open your home to one of the younger ones for a good home cooked meal! While dinning hall food is not bad there is nothing like having a nice home cooked meal and being able to kick back afterwords and spend a little time with some nice people instead of going back to an empty room. Not everyone gets home for the holidays and for the younger, single people that first or second Christmas can be a little tough.
Contact the base chapel and get involved with some of their outreach programs and offer or bring to the table the civilian perspective in your area. I live very close to a large military facility and we have a joint military, civilian organization that meets for dinner quarterly just to socialize and get to know each other. It includes all the squadron commanders, their First Sergeants (and each birngs several of their troops to the dinners) as well as the local political, civilian law enforcement, and business owners. It really helps to promote good community relations, educate the military members about the various businesses and events going on in the local area and gives the civilian members the military perspective on things as it relates to the area. Also when there are any problems you then are talking and dealing with someone that you already are familiar with or have at least have a better understanding about.
Contact your local USO! They always can use an extra pair of hands and another person especially around the holidays! Along with that contact your local Veterans outreach program. There are so many vets that need just a little help, or a word of encouragement, or maybe to meet someone that knows someone else. Visit the vets in the VA hospital and just chat with them. So many have nobody and have long since been forgotten and would love to just share some of the old stories that they have. You will find some pretty interesting ones!
2007-12-06 01:39:39 · answer #2 · answered by samuraiwarrior_98 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call base public relations, do an online search for support the troop groups in the area. I know in San DIego there are bunch that are out there. They help furnish apartments for those who need it, deliver and make food for wives or families, help distribute food, make care packages, help with welcome home parades, etc. One suggestion, being a wife, not many of the wives know how to do the normal "guy" stuff and when their husband is gone it becomes a challenge. You and your friends could offer to help with yard work, light car maintenance, etc. Some women may think it creepy because you would be strangers but there are volunteer groups that organize that kind of stuff. Let me know if you need some help. I can help you find some groups as I know many all over the country.
2007-12-05 18:11:27 · answer #3 · answered by Abby H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, simply, I would like to say thank you for supporting what the troops are doing. To show your patriotism, as if you already haven't by supporting, I would suggest you get involved in community centers, etc that serve the military community. That, or you can check out http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/ and they give plenty of ways to support deployed and stateside people.
2007-12-05 20:59:36 · answer #4 · answered by Rabbit 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try the USO. There's a branch near every base.
2007-12-05 17:34:52 · answer #5 · answered by nathan f 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call the base and ask about volunteer opportunities
2007-12-05 17:54:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Jeremy, and thanks for your question. As crazy as it may sound, I always appreciated the group of people who stood in the median waving the American Flag and holding up signs that said "Honk if you support the troops!" right outside MacDill AFB when I was there.
2007-12-05 18:03:18 · answer #7 · answered by NunyaBizzness 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
call base public relations and see if they have any volunteer opportunities.
2007-12-05 17:29:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vote for a president who won't send them off to get killed in a pointless war.
2007-12-05 17:44:36 · answer #9 · answered by V2K1 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋