As readers have been thinking of how to support troops and families lately, some have written to share ways they have been helped or have given help in the past.

Here are some great ideas for helping both single military members and families when mom or dad is deployed:

       When we were stationed at Rhein-Main (on our second tour 86-89) we did a program called “SUM MOM,” which stands for Single Unaccompanied Military Munch or Mend.
       My mom and other ladies at the base would gather at the base chapel and cook all day. They would usually make spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert.
       My best friend and I were in high school and we would come after school to help out. Other ladies at the base chapel would volunteer their sewing expertise and sew on patches, etc. for the airmen while they had dinner. We would talk to the airmen and cleanup after everyone had eaten. 
      It was a great experience. I know they appreciated a home cooked meal and the "feeling" of being in a family type environment.
                                                                            -- Amy Shields

      When we lived in Savannah, Georgia, our church would host a "Mom's afternoon out." This happened right after church on Sunday.

      Other families and teenaged volunteers would watch the children at the church, feed the children lunch and give a mom (me) an afternoon out for about 3 hours to herself while her husband was deployed.
      I remember that it was just an amazing boost to my energy level to focus on myself for that little bit of time, get a cup of coffee and just read a book at Barnes and Noble without having to make sure the children didn't tear the kids section apart.
      Our neighbor, Kevin, would mow our yard every other week for me when Charles was gone. It was a nice break from having to do outside and inside chores all of the time.
      My friend Lindsey had older children and they would come down after school and play with my kids for an hour or so while I made dinner. But it was nice because the whole family supported the children and me while Charles was deployed.
      The big life lesson was that it doesn't take a lot of money to show support for our troops and their families, just a little bit of your own personal time.
      It means so much to the families that are separated for long periods and not to mention a huge morale booster to know that you have someone that is willing to help out.

       Loving your neighbor as yourself was put into action at our wonderful church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Savannah on Mercy Blvd. (my favorite address by the way!!)  Those are just a few examples that come to mind for me.
                                                                     -- Rebecca Hartford