America Supports You: Calendar Provides Troop-Support Ideas

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 3, 2008 - New Year's resolutions frequently include good intentions, such as joining a gym, calling parents or organizing closets. But through its America Supports You program, the Defense Department is helping Americans resolve to support the nation's servicemembers throughout 2008. America Supports You is a DoD program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. It's ringing in 2008 with a 12-month calendar suggesting ways to support the nation's military men and women and their families each month.

"Remembering the troops at a time when people are already setting goals will help keep the nation's servicemen and women in the forefront of our minds throughout the year," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public liaison and internal communications.

The calendar, which can be downloaded into Outlook or iCal calendars, is available on AmericaSupportsYou.mil. The site not only offers ideas on how individuals can support the troops, but also contains information about troop-support groups in their area.

Some suggestions found on the calendar include sending Valentine's Day cards to troops serving overseas during February or lending a helping hand to military families during April, the Month of the Military Child.

When summer rolls around with swim lessons, camp dates and family vacations, the June calendar includes a reminder to donate frequent-flier miles to servicemembers and their families who so often are separated. September brings the opportunity to join in or plan a local America Supports You Freedom Walk to commemorate victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor veterans, past and present.

The calendar also includes ways to honor servicemembers on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

"There are so many ways to show the military men and women we support them and the work they do," Barber said. "I hope people nationwide will take the time to remember the troops when setting their New Year's goals and that they find the reminders in the calendar helpful in achieving them."

For more information about the calendar, visit AmericaSupportsYou.mil and click on the New Year's Resolution icon.