thedrifter
09-13-05, 01:33 PM
September 19, 2005
Married to the Military
Wars not fought by warriors alone
By Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer
Special to the Times
A recent New York Times article on “patriotism lite,” along with other articles, blogs and conversations during the past few weeks, has us thinking and talking about the role of U.S. citizens in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Charles Moskos, a professor emeritus at Northwestern University who specializes in military sociology, coined the term patriotism lite.
It refers to citizens flying flags, attaching yellow ribbons to their cars and saying, “We support the troops,” but not making any real sacrifices in their own lives for their patriotism.
The only citizens sacrificing are deployed service members and their families left behind. And some of them are making the ultimate sacrifice of death or facing long-term medical and life challenges from war wounds.
Military spouses can help other Americans take the “lite” out of patriotism lite. Here are a few ways to share in the support and sacrifices:
1Speak up, not only within your military community, but also in your neighboring civilian community. Share your experiences and ideas on how civilians can really support our troops and their families with your community, church, clubs and newspapers.
See Kristin Henderson’s list of ideas at www.kristinhenderson.com/takeaction.htm.
2 If you’re not currently experiencing a deployment, offer help to a service member or family in the midst of one. Many are on their second or third deployment; just because they “survived” one deployment doesn’t mean the next one will be easier.
Give assistance, such as sending care packages to troops; on the home front, help with child care, lawn maintenance or meal preparation.
It also helps if you just listen and provide a shoulder to lean on.
3 Contribute to organizations that support service members and their families, such as www.americasupportsyou.com, www.operationtroopappreciation.com and www.operationhomefront.net. And tell others about these programs and services.
4 Educate others about the sheer numbers of severely wounded troops. Check out organizations such as the Military Severely Injured Center and the Fisher House Foundation. Give donations of time, services or even airline miles for Fisher House’s Operation Hero Miles program, which obtains tickets to unite the injured with their families.
5 Find ways to reach out to Iraqi families affected by the war, through the Red Cross, World Vision or other religious organizations, or efforts such as that of Norma Melo (her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Julian Melo, was killed in Iraq last December). The Julian S. Melo Memorial Fund was formed to bring music into the lives of Iraqi children.
Bottom line: Don’t allow yourself or others around you to expect our troops to be at war alone.
Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer are military spouses who have written articles and presented workshops based on their research and experience for more than 10 years. They are authors of “Help! I’m a Military Spouse — I Want a Life Too!” Send your ideas to marriedtomilitary@atpco.com.
Ellie
Married to the Military
Wars not fought by warriors alone
By Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer
Special to the Times
A recent New York Times article on “patriotism lite,” along with other articles, blogs and conversations during the past few weeks, has us thinking and talking about the role of U.S. citizens in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Charles Moskos, a professor emeritus at Northwestern University who specializes in military sociology, coined the term patriotism lite.
It refers to citizens flying flags, attaching yellow ribbons to their cars and saying, “We support the troops,” but not making any real sacrifices in their own lives for their patriotism.
The only citizens sacrificing are deployed service members and their families left behind. And some of them are making the ultimate sacrifice of death or facing long-term medical and life challenges from war wounds.
Military spouses can help other Americans take the “lite” out of patriotism lite. Here are a few ways to share in the support and sacrifices:
1Speak up, not only within your military community, but also in your neighboring civilian community. Share your experiences and ideas on how civilians can really support our troops and their families with your community, church, clubs and newspapers.
See Kristin Henderson’s list of ideas at www.kristinhenderson.com/takeaction.htm.
2 If you’re not currently experiencing a deployment, offer help to a service member or family in the midst of one. Many are on their second or third deployment; just because they “survived” one deployment doesn’t mean the next one will be easier.
Give assistance, such as sending care packages to troops; on the home front, help with child care, lawn maintenance or meal preparation.
It also helps if you just listen and provide a shoulder to lean on.
3 Contribute to organizations that support service members and their families, such as www.americasupportsyou.com, www.operationtroopappreciation.com and www.operationhomefront.net. And tell others about these programs and services.
4 Educate others about the sheer numbers of severely wounded troops. Check out organizations such as the Military Severely Injured Center and the Fisher House Foundation. Give donations of time, services or even airline miles for Fisher House’s Operation Hero Miles program, which obtains tickets to unite the injured with their families.
5 Find ways to reach out to Iraqi families affected by the war, through the Red Cross, World Vision or other religious organizations, or efforts such as that of Norma Melo (her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Julian Melo, was killed in Iraq last December). The Julian S. Melo Memorial Fund was formed to bring music into the lives of Iraqi children.
Bottom line: Don’t allow yourself or others around you to expect our troops to be at war alone.
Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer are military spouses who have written articles and presented workshops based on their research and experience for more than 10 years. They are authors of “Help! I’m a Military Spouse — I Want a Life Too!” Send your ideas to marriedtomilitary@atpco.com.
Ellie