Have A Party To Support Our Troops

Cpl. J. A. Mendenhall, 23, Kansas City, Mo., motor transportation mechanic, is shown here receiving a present from Santa Claus.

Two-hundred and fifteen Marines and Sailors each received a gift that was donated by family members and friends of the family of Capt. Tim P. Maloney, commanding officer, TS Co., CLB-2, 1st MLG. "Being away from friends, family and home isn't easy," said Maloney, 30 of Milton, Mass. "To brighten up their Christmas, my wife Christina started coordinating and collecting donated gifts to send out here to the Marines and Sailors."

Make your party a big hit by sending our overseas troops a care package to let them know we appreciate their sacrifice and hope they will all come home soon.

Pictured here is Petty Officer 1st Class Tracy Roach (bottom right) singing Christmas carols with a group of service members aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2009. Roach was born in the small city of Adukrom Akwapin, Ghana, Africa, came to the U.S. just before she turned 17, and has been serving in the U.S. Navy for 13 years.

When you send out your party invitations, include a note to let guests know what you plan to do. Include a suggestion on what they can bring to the party for the care package/s to be made.

Make sure you cover the basics: toothpaste, toothbrush, baby wipes, deodorant, etc. For a list of suggested items to send in care packages or to donate, visit: Soldiers' Angels.

Pictured here: Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 load a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter before takeoff Christmas morning during Operation Santa, delivering mail, food and gifts to all their Marines and sailors in Southern Afghanistan.

Along with the supplies, ask each person to include a note of thanks for the soldiers. Let them know we are thinking of them and praying for a safe return home.

On the day of the party, set up a table to display all of the donations your guests bring to the party. Take a picture of the table with everyone gathered around it, either waving or holding a poster with a greeting on it. This is a wonderful way to let the troops know you're thinking about them!

In this picture, Misty Dial, the wife of a soldier, stands behind a pile of fleece blankets that were donated by community members. The blankets were sewn to be sent to the Soldiers of Co. A, 701st BSB for Christmas. The goal of the project was to make 135 blankets. Dial received at least 240. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo