Support Military Wives

by Suzanne Speight
The Challenge

Military wives don't get parades. Instead, while their husbands defend our freedom, military wives fend for their families.

From yellow ribbons to care-package projects, it seems that everyone wants to "support the troops" these days. But as our service members answer the call of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations, the challenges faced by their spouses are often overlooked, as army wives are left alone to manage their households and act as both mother and father, usually in a strange town and with no other family. (Yes, there are husbands left behind by when their military wives are called to duty, but their numbers are very small compared with wives left behind.)

When the military calls a National Guard or Reserve solider into sudden active duty, an army wife becomes an instant "single parent," faced with unrelenting 24/7 sole responsibility for child care, ailing grandparents, bills, and household repairs.

Fortunately, you can support our troops overseas by supporting military spouses at home.

How to Make a Difference I Did This!
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  • Volunteer your skills: Military spouses need a wide variety of support, including: auto repair, baby sitting, bookkeeping, carpentry, carpet cleaning, computer repair, cooking, electrical repairs, hauling, HVAC repair, lawn care, legal advice, painting, personal care, pet sitting, plumbing, transportation, and tutoring. You can find volunteer opportunities to help via a local Operation Homefront chapter.
  • Send your recently outdated (or still viable) manufacturers’ coupons to the Overseas Coupon Program, which can help you provide outdated coupons to military families overseas so they can save money on food and other necessary items.  
  • Post a message of support or offer assistance to a military wife at iVillage Military Wives, a forum for military wives.

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