Even though the television keeps showing us happy reunions between soldiers and their families as troops arrive home, there are still tens of thousands of deployed soldiers. We have military scattered across the globe, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Korea, and the Philippines to name a few.

The organization Operation Military Pride continues to accept volunteers to sign up for either pen pal duty or adoption of soldiers. There is great satisfaction to be had in writing a letter to one of the deployed, or in sending a care package of essential items, snacks, or fun stuff to a soldier who will appreciate it so much. And no, the military does NOT provide all the things they need! Baby wipes are a hot item in the desert and can sell for as much as $10 in the PX over there, if they even have any in stock. One camp recently ran out of toilet paper, of all things!

Letters and emails received back from adopted soldiers tell volunteers just how grateful they are to be remembered and supported through letters and care packages. Please visit the website for OMP at http://www.operationmilitarypride.org and either sign up as a pen pal, adopt a soldier, or donate to help with mailing costs for sending care packages. This organization is reputable, and has been doing this sort of thing since 1995.