Susie Turner never served in the military and she has no family members currently serving. Yet, she treats some of our troops like family. She said, "I’m proud of our service men and women. They do so much for me and my family. What I can do in return is so little compared to what they have done for me, for each one of us. I want to make a difference in their lives."

Through Soldiers’ Angels, she’s adopted troops to support them one-on-one.

Soldiers’ Angels supports troops from all branches of the service: Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen.

Susie became involved in Soldiers’ Angels after she talked with a neighbor who had adopted a Soldier. After checking out the organization, Susie concluded, "This is something I can do to give a little back."

She said, "Soldiers’ Angels offers different opportunities so you can volunteer in areas of your strengths and where you’re most comfortable. That may be working with troops’ families on the home front or with the wounded. One of my strengths is in letter writing, so I’m on the letter-writing team."

She continued, "Sometimes in my letters I ask the goofiest questions. But if I can bring a little bit of laughter, or a smile, then my goofy questions are worth it. For instance, I like to ask, ‘What was your favorite toy when you were growing up?’ Or ‘What toy did you always want but never had?’ Then, if the toy is within my means, I’ll buy and send it to my adopted Soldier."

Volunteers like Susie on the letter-writing team are committed to mailing their service member a card or letter every week and a care package consisting of snacks, hygiene items, and games once or twice a month. The length of commitment for each "adoption" is three to 15 months, depending on the length of deployment.

In the last two years, Susie has adopted 25 service men and women, on both short and long deployments. The troops hear about the program and sign up to be adopted by home-front volunteers like Susie. Currently, Susie and her family are sending letters and care packages to three deployed troops.

Susie sends her letters and care packages with no expectations of hearing back. She explained, "Just knowing I’m doing something to help–even if I never hear from them–makes it all worthwhile. It’s humbling to be able to thank them. I didn’t know a post card would mean so much."

She continued, "Occasionally I do hear back. One man sent us a coin from his unit. I didn’t understand at first that this is a priceless gift. Only a certain number are made or ever given out–to people like family. Another young man I adopted sent an e-mail letting me know what my notes and packages meant to him. This is his third deployment. He said it wasn’t as bad as the previous ones because he could look forward to receiving a card, a letter, or a box. He said he doesn’t have much family back home, but it was like we considered him part of our family. It made such a difference to him."

How can your talents and interests support our troops? Next week, you’ll find out a beneficial, although often unintended, consequence of supporting our troops. Copyright 2009 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.