Our Newest Vets

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an end finally came to what was called the war to end all wars.

Back before we knew enough to start numbering them the end of what would become known as World War I became known as Armistice Day. Today, the day is set aside to remember all of our veterans and their service. Sadly this administration which has created a new generation of veterans, has done little to support them. From sending our young men and women into Iraq for all the wrong reasons to Rumsfeld & Co.'s idiotic management of that war, for all of the breast-beating and "support the troops" flag waving, this administration has done as little as possible to actually support these brave people.

So it is little wonder that where the administration stepped aside, others stepped in. From the WaPo comes a story of veterans who have taken it upon themselves to demand what should be theirs. Read here about the Community of Veterans and their work. And here for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The Army Scholarship Fund goes further and supports arm vets' children by providing educational financial assistance. The Fund for Veterans Education provides scholarships for the troops themselves.

For those who want to help out by sending something to troops still overseas, SKIP (Special Kindness in Packages), Operation Care and Comfort, and Operation Troop Aid provide care packages for troops. Subscriptions for Soldiers lets you send troops subscriptions to magazines. Operation Soldier Assist asks supporters to commit "to writing a letter each week and sending a package once a month" to an adopted troop member through OSA. Homesick GI helps connect troops and their families so that "our deployed soldiers won't have to miss their child's birthday, another holiday, or any day while they are away." Net Pets helps find homes for troops' pets while they are deployed and can not find homes for them among friends or family members.

The Yellow Ribbon Fund gives you the opportunity to help injured service members and their families while they recuperate at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. Laptops for the Wounded provides computers with webcams to wounded vets so they can keep in touch with family and friends while recuperating. Operation First Response and Wounded Warriors Family Support both work to help wounded troops and their families.

Finally, Homes for Our Troops does just that, provides specially adapted homes for severely injured service members. Remember our most recent vets today - and if you can, take the opportunity to reach out and help them. Because the administration that sent them into harms way has not seen fit to do so itself.