Support Our Troops

I've heard and seen the words "support our troops" in so many different contexts over the years but I've always struggled to understand how to translate this slogan into actual action. Until now.
It frustrates me that people throw those words out so flippantly without any concrete modes or ideas in fulfilling the very thing they are asking for. So many times I've asked myself, "what does it mean for me to support our troops? Does that mean I have to support our government's decisions in global political and military matters? Does that mean I need to enlist? How do these people expect me to support our troops?!" I've wondered these things often. Until now.
I'm not going to tell you how you should be supporting your troops because that's a decision that you need to make on your own based on your own philosophies, gifts, resources, connections and context. I just thought that with Josh being gone, now more than ever is a good time to dialogue about what it looks like to truly support our troops. Based on what I've realized and learned through our experience with the military, here are some practical ways I believe you can enact the meaning of "support our troops"

• Understand what it is they do! For most of you Josh and I are a great link into the world of everything military so feel free to ask and learn what exactly it is that he does! It's amazing how many people don't have the slightest clue what the military does beyond going over to Afghanistan and fighting the Taliban. I'm not going to lie, that was me four years ago! ...the not knowing part, not the fighting Taliban part. If you'd like to better support your troops, there's no better way to get started than to learn about what it is that they're doing. 
• Be a good friend to the people you know in the military. Be reliable and a listening ear to them especially because they really don't receive much of that at their workplace or perhaps amongst their coworkers. Stand by them through all the surprises and annoyances the military throws at them and just be constant in your friendship.
• For troops overseas, communicate with them! They can be experiencing some pretty intense isolation, culture shock, work stress, you name it! Just hearing from someone back home is so valuable and meaningful. I know especially for Josh he appreciates just knowing that he's in someone's thoughts even though he's far away and removed from his life back home. Even if you don't know anyone directly overseas, it's awesome to write someone no matter how random the connection is. Even your cousin's, girlfriend's, little brother will appreciate some words of encouragement from someone back home so don't ever underestimate the impact you can make!
• Support their family. Many people know how tough this tour has been for me but also how difficult it is in general to be married to someone who is literally owned by the military. We have been disappointed so many times that I have become extremely jaded by the military system and some days it takes all my effort to not be entirely bitter and angry towards Josh's "employers". ...the other days I just don't try and those are not happy days! I know it's also tough on his family, especially with the uncertain nature of pretty much everything (...you're going to Afghanistan in a few months. Can we tell you exactly when? Well no. Why? Well you don't need to know that. Oh and we have no clue when you're coming home. We'll give you this date range but just so you know it could be outside of that timeline). This is not the time or place for me to critique the system, this is just a snapshot of my interpretation, as flawed and limited as it may be. However, we need support from you as we also get tossed and turned around by the military system. For me sometimes I just need to have a good cry or a hug to make up for the 20+ I'm use to getting from Josh every day. Other times I just need to be distracted by people and just have a good time. Mostly though, I just need people to be real with me instead of trying to come up with the right thing to say or feeling responsible for making me feel better. Just be a good friend.
• Wear red on Fridays. It's just like wearing red and white on Canada Day except it's to show support for the troops through wearing your country's colors each Friday. I'm not going to lie, I don't really ever think of doing this but I think it's great when people make a point to!
• As simple or corny as it may sound, go out and get yourself one of those car magnets if you feel so inclined! I can't even express how it makes Josh and I feel when we pass by someone who has chosen to display one and just know that they have a desire to support us in Josh's career. Sure we'll never meet 99% of these people but it's just really cool to know that they're out there. Josh even made a comment one time when we went to Calgary that there were significantly less vehicles displaying Support Our Troops so it's clearly something that we notice! 
• When you see a soldier in uniform out in public, instead of looking at them and thinking "what are you doing out in those clothes?" why not just go up and thank them for the decision they've made to serve your country? Sure some of them could care less whether or not you did this but there have been so many that have put their life on the line to serve our country and global peace keeping efforts. Why wouldn't we be thankful for that? I know there is a whole lot of political and philosophical debate about whether what they're doing overseas is right or wrong but if you believe that something good is coming out of military efforts overseas, why not express thankfulness for that. I think this is an important point to bring to mind because I have seen so often in the States where people will go out of their way to approach a soldier in uniform, shake their hand and thank them for what they do. Yes there are difference in the militaries and even a sense of patriotism but I think it would be so great if we could show the same kind of appreciation for our troop, which goes above slapping on a magnet.

Well that's about all I've come up with from my short and limited experience. In sum, you don't have to join the army to show your support, don't underestimate the value of emails and facebook messages, and it would be awesome if you made a point of thanking your soldiers. These are just some of my suggestions because I think it's wrong for us to be surrounded by the concept of "support our troops" but not be provided with many practical means of doing so! Take and leave what you'd like but I hope you've found even a little something helpful in my ramble :)

-S