Townhall...
Someone to Remember
on Memorial Day
by John Ransom
This Memorial Day weekend there will be thousands of parades, picnics
and remembrance events for those who died fighting for the United
States.
There will also be sales and bargains for those that choose to spend
the holiday traveling or shopping.
Like all holidays, Memorial Day is sometimes at risk of losing its
meaning in our commercial society, as shoppers and travelers forget
about the sacrifices all of our troops and their families make.
So here’s a gentle reminder while we all enjoy time off from work and
get our fill of backyard barbeques.
As you read this hundreds and thousands of men and women in uniform and
millions of family members sacrifice comfort, treasure and freedoms so
that the rest of us can be free. While we enjoy picnics, they are at
war.
Really at war; right now, today, this very minute.
And our service members make sacrifices not just for Americans but also
for people around the world, most of whom will never appreciate what
they have done for them.
Service members like Petty Officers Peter Cully and Matthew Plungis,
shipmates I know, go on deployment, come home, find a job, only to go
on deployment again.
Families like the Schaffer family in Colorado Springs endure
deployments every year it seems.
Children grow up, raised mostly by mommy or daddy or grandma, while one
or both parents fight a war.
Given the strain we put on our service members, it’s not surprising
that some of those who serve in the military come back home only to
face desperate financial need.
This weekend, then, it is only fitting that we recognize those who have
made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedoms. But we should also
remember to help those living soldiers, sailors and airmen who continue
tosacrifice to protect our freedoms.
USA Cares can help us do just that.
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that helps post-9/11
military families bear the burdens of service with financial and
advocacy support. Its mission is to help with basic needs during
financial crisis, to assist combat injured Veterans and their families
and to prevent private military home foreclosures and evictions.
Thanks to USA Cares, corporations have discovered that recognizing the
courage and sacrifice of America’s military is actually good for
business. USA Cares helps businesses understand that putting on a
wristband, waving the flag, or hanging a “support our troops” sign in
the window can help boost sales for sure.
But without true service to those who “serve us,” a commercial approach
can backfire.
USA Cares shows companies how to support a developing trend that ought
to be encouraged amongst more companies.
When companies partner with USA Cares, they know that they are making a
positive difference.
Here are some examples:
•
Hardees and Carl’s Jr. recently announced a partnership with USA Cares
and Homes for Our Troops. To participate, restaurant guests donate $1
in support of both of these military charities. For each $1 donation,
guests receive a commemorative “Stars for Troops” cut out to
personalize and place on display in the restaurant; in addition, they
receive restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future
purchases.
•
Batteries Plus has partnered with the nonprofit USA Cares and its Jobs
for Vets Program by launching the “Time to Care” campaign. The company
is donating $5 of each regular and lifetime watch battery replacement
to USA Cares over the Memorial Day holiday and will accept in-kind
donations from customers at its retail locations. They are also
contributing $1 for every person who “likes” the Batteries Plus
Facebook page and “supports” the USA Cares Jobs for Vets Cause page.
•
Upscale retailer Brighton Collectables has designed a yellow ribbon
charm to support the troops. With every $25 charm purchase, $20 is
directly donated to USA Cares. Over the past three years, Brighton
Collectables has supported USACares with over $200,000 from the sale of
their “peace” bracelets.
Memorial Day is a great time to celebrate our freedoms and the
invaluable contributions made by our Armed Forces.
Remembering the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families is a
great way for all of us to say “Thanks” to the troops.
Supporting those businesses that help our troops through USACares is a
great thing to do not only on Memorial Day but all year long.
The need is real, as are the soldiers who benefit.
Plus, it gives everyone someone to remember on Memorial Day. Millions
of someones in fact.
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