Serving Those Who Serve

This Armed Forces Day, seek ways to honor our military members overseas and their families on the home front. Here are a few ways to celebrate the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard members and veterans who served their country in times of war and peace.

1. Send “I Care” packages to military members overseas and their families here in the state. Everyday items like power bars, dry Gatorade^®, and magazines in English aren’t always available overseas and can be a blessing to a deployed troop. Sending “reverse” packages to a military member’s family is another great way to serve, especially on holidays, birthdays, and other special days when the deployed person’s absence is felt most keenly. Consider starting a committee at your church to head the effort, or make it your own family’s tradition of service.

2. Fly the flag. Consult the U.S. Flag Code to make sure you display your flag correctly this weekend.

3. Pray. Select a few Scripture verses you can pray over to uplift our troops, such as:

“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:3-4).

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

How does your family honor members of the military?