Do You Support Our Troops?
By Jennifer Ferguson
Support Our Troops; it is a slogan that we hear and see almost daily. There are signs in the local grocery store, flyers posted all over the Internet and bumper stickers on almost any given vehicle. But how often does the concept pass us by?
It is a hard concept for me to wrap my head around; there are people who leave their homes and risk their lives so that I can continue my everyday life. Here I am, sitting on my computer, listening to my favorite CD, sippin’ on coffee and about to get ready for a class I have this afternoon. It is a pretty mundane morning for me. Over seas, there is most likely someone my very age, who, instead of going to class, is training to go into battle – a battle from which they may not return.
Pardon the comparison, but I can not help relating this thought to the new film and trilogy, the Hunger Games. These children spend weeks training and preparing for a battle, but only one person will come out victorious. Likewise, only one country will win a war, but both lose so much in the process. It is frightening just to think about, but imagine being in those shoes, or in this case, combat boots.
Nonetheless, since 9/11, I have had countless opportunities to “support my troops.” Instead, I walk by, un-phased, and go about my everyday life – the everyday life these people fight to protect. Perhaps I, personally, was not the motivation for our servicemen leaving and fighting overseas, but they are still fighting for me, personally. Yet, I go about my life with little regard for what they are doing or how much they sacrifice on a daily basis. They fight so I can live my everyday life, but I do not even fight to make theirs easier.
The other day I had a friend come over to my grandmother’s house to help me move some of her furniture. My friend, Chris, now serves in the Reserves and has completed one tour in Iraq. We finished moving the dressers and Chris left. Afterward, it came up that he was in the military. My grandmother got so upset that she had not known before; she wanted to thank him for his service. I could not understand why she was making such a big deal out of it, but later it hit me. I take his and others’ service for granted, but she does not. She truly appreciates what these people do for their country. Like my grandmother, more of us should consider our troops a priority.
Help Our Military Endure (H.O.M.E., 501(c) 3) is an organization that helps support our troops by raising money for care packages to send overseas. H.O.M.E. has been part of the UHCL Veteran’s Day Celebration for a few years now.
In order to raise money, H.O.M.E. is sponsoring a golf tournament. The tournament is May 11th at Country Place Golf Course in Pearland. Golfers can pay $100 a player or $400 a team and play in the fundraiser to help contribute to the cause. Do not worry, I am not going to pull a Happy Gilmore and suddenly pick up golf to raise money for something that I am passionate about, although it is not a bad idea.
However, the organization is also raffling off a number of awesome prizes, such as several gift cards, Astros Tickets and airline tickets. Raffle tickets are only $1 each, and can be purchased on campus in Bayou Building 1604. Winners will be announced at the tournament, though you do not need to be present to win. You can also contact Trudy Duhon – trudyduhon@helpourmilitaryendure.com.
It’s not a huge contribution, but let us be honest – I’m a broke college student. Nonetheless, I would rather have a few dollars go toward sending soldiers something that will make them smile. I am able to smile and enjoy my life on a daily basis thanks to their efforts. I am going to take this opportunity to help make one soldier smile based on mine.
Honestly, it is about time. In fact, the timing is ideal. With Verteran’s Day just around the corner (November 11, 2012), it is the perfect time to get involved.
What about you? Do you support our troops?
If we enjoy our freedom then we need to support our troops.I do not think it will hit home with most people until something big happens and we are attacked and our everyday life changes. I grew up in the Vietnam era and watch the news about it every night with my parents. Then the war was over and the POW’s came home and we watched from beginning to end as each one got off the plane and announced their name. My moms friend never came home and I saw what it did to his family and friends. I think this instilled something in me that has never left me. I own a online kids clothing store and a online gift shop and I donate 10% to a charity that helps the soldiers in Afghanistan. This is not much but it is all I can do now.