Honolulu, HI

Memorial Day - It’s a time to honor fallen soldiers for giving their lives towards the pursuit of our freedom. It’s a time when our community pulls together to gather in thousands of leis to decorate Punchbowl – the final resting place for many island veterans.

Today is a day of remembrance for the lives lost, but also for the freedom gained through our military forces who have valiantly served as a powerful force. With a lei, the symbol of Hawaii’s love and aloha, our troops are honored and fallen war heroes are recognized once again.

But there are things we can do to support our Hawaii servicemen and women who are alive today. We have families who have been deployed to Iraq as well as other places. We have single moms who have lost their husbands in battle and they can use your help and your encouragement.

1) “Gifts From the Home Front” – donate a gift certificate of any dollar amount to anyone who is deployed or injured. They will be able to shop at the Army and Air Force Exchange. http://www.afes.com/docs/home-front.htm

2) “Any Soldier” – Interested in supplying deployed military with their needs? Check out this site to find a list of deployed personnel. http://www.anysoldier.com

3) “Books for Soldiers” – This is a non-profit organization that sends books, DVD’s, games and other relief supplies to soldiers at various locations. http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/

4) “Commissary Gift Certificates” – Help Hawaii’s military families with their groceries by providing a gift certificate for use at the Commissary. http://www.commissaries.com/certificheck

5) “Homes for Our Troops” – This organization receives monetary contributions that goes toward the building and remodeling (to make handicap accessible) of homes for veterans who have been severely wounded. http://www.homesforourtroops.org/

6) “Let’s Say Thanks” – A great way to teach our children and youth to appreciate our military is to have them send a card to overseas troops. This is a wonderful experience for both the sender as well as military personnel. http://www.letssaythanks.com

7) “Operation Dear Abby” – If cards aren’t your thing, send an e-mail message to any service member through this website. This is a quick and easy way to send encouragement and appreciation for their sacrifice. http://www.anyservicemember.navy.mil/

“Operation Hero Miles” – Have you got extra frequent flyer miles? Donate your miles to deployed troops. The miles go toward flying home or helping their family members visit recovering personnel around the country. http://www.heromiles.org

9) “Operation Gratitude” – If you’ve got some creativity, Operation Gratitude can help you find different ways to show our military personnel your appreciation for all they do. Check out this website for more information. http://www.opgratitude.com/

10) “Operation Uplink” – Your financial donation goes toward funding phone cards distributed to service members so they can call their families. http://www.operationuplink.org.

11) “Soldiers’ Angels” – Do you feel like you want to do more for our soldiers than just send notes and provide for their needs? Consider adopting a soldier and become their angel. http://www.soldierangels.com/

12) “USO Cares” – Even soldiers abroad have needs. Be a part of providing care packages delivered to military personnel all over the globe. http://www.usocares.org/

There are many ways to show our Hawaii military personnel how much you appreciate their sacrifice and their courage. Take time to honor our military by getting involved with one or more of these ways that benefit our troops.

Happy Memorial Day to you and you family! Be sure to check out some of the great activities going on all over Oahu today and tomorrow in commemoration of our military!

Memorial Day, Hawaii, lei, military personnel assistance, troops, Oahu activities