I love the 4th of July. It’s one of the few holidays (like Thanksgiving) where all you’re required to do is eat. No presents to buy, no cards to send. Just show up for fireworks, hot dogs and sweet tea.
However, under the influence of this year’s project, I find myself compelled to make some deeper connection with the Fourth than through my stomach. So today I’m honoring the USO, an organization whose only mission is to improve the morale of U.S. servicemen and women around the world. And who can’t get behind that?
Frankly, I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to be serving in Iraq or Afghanistan –our longest wars in American history—much less have a child or husband or sister over there. My heart goes out to everyone who chooses to serve—and their families –but talk is cheap. Writing is better.
The USO opens in Iraq, February 7, 2008
So here’s one easy, meaningful and important thing you can do to express your gratitude to Americans who are in uniform this Fourth. If you click here, you can jot down an Independence Day greeting and USO will share it with our soldiers deployed overseas. It’s one thing we can do in under two minutes to let our voluntary military troops know that, amidst the potato salad and sparklers, we are thinking of them and thankful for their service.
Bob Hope, who performed in more USO shows than anyone
The USO has been there, as “a home away from home” for U.S. troops since 1941. Wherever Americans have gone to serve, the USO has gone, too. They’ve put on close to 500,000 performances over the years for homesick soldiers, with celebrities ranging from Marilyn Monroe and Bob Hope to Carrie Underwood and Stephen Colbert, who memorably shaved his head last year while visiting Iraq. They’ve assembled a total of more than 1.5 million care packages for troops deployed overseas, and kept up with modern times, dispensing 2 million USO Phone Home international calling cards to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
For all USO does –from dishing up entertainment, to the rousing welcome some of its 44,000 volunteers give to the 3,000 returning troops passing through the Atlanta & Dallas airports every day, I’m saluting the USO and sending them my $100 donation.
Have a Happy 4th – don’t eat too much BBQ, and don’t forget to write… “Until every one comes home.”
Click here to donate to the USO.
What Gives 
God bless the USO and all the support it provides our troops!
I heart my Marine Daddy:
http://tinyurl.com/marine-daddy
Thank You So Much Betty for reminding us of the awesome work that the USO does. As a veteran myself, the USO was truly a bright spot for all of the servicepersons and their families. especially overseas. Living in SoCal during the last of my tour, they set us up to be a part of the “Let’s Make A Deal” show! Seeing Monte Hall in person was a real treat! Wishing you and your family a wonderful 4th and THANK YOU!
I love the title of this post! Continually, what a heartwarming idea to promote the gratefulness of American citizens to their service-people. 🙂
With Love and Gratitude,
The Intentional Sage
Just one other requirement for the 4th is hoped for from all our people, besides eating and fireworks and that is – a deep sense of Gratitude.
In my case, I am grateful for all the heroic women and men, unknown to the public at large, who have stood up and stepped forward at person costs to themselves.
I am very grateful for those who protect us. But I most want to ponder on the pure sacrifices that have come from those who have given all for our liberties, freedoms and justice.
Many fine and heroic figures who were at the time of their service were treated in horrific ways by the ignorant, hateful and down right stupid.
Those who worked for freedom of: slaves, women, children, immigrants, religious believers, sick, dying, etc etc over our short history as a nation.
May we be blessed by a continued stream of heroes who will give selflessly long into our future.
Amen!