I was in Kroeger this morning when my cashier asked me if I wanted to "round up" my purchase and donate it to the USO. Essentially, they assist soldiers with whatever funds they have.
I've seen the initials around, but I never knew exactly what it did. I knew it had something to do with troops and entertainment, or something.
The USO is an non-profit organization set to "lift the spirits" of U.S. troops and their families.
After I answered "yes" to the cashier, she handed me a postcard. She told me that this already stamped envelope will be sent to a soldier, and that I could write a message on it.
I accepted the postcard. My mind went blank.
"What on earth do I say?" I asked the cashier.
"Something optimistic," she said.
Sure. That makes sense. I mean, I know better than to use the words "quagmire" "FUBAR" or "freedom" on it. Sure. But, if I were to write an optimistic message of hope to a stranger, what would it be?
Would my message sound like a fortune cookie?
Would that person take my postcard and insensitively read it aloud to their buddies, with the buddies exclaiming "in bed" to every sentence?
OK- I don't know any veterans or soldiers. But, I do comprehend how difficult it is to bring peace back into daily life after serving a line of duty.
My mind goes back to the soldiers deposited from duty into a community that is ill-equipped and under-funded to handle their needs.
My Grandfather was a man who was never permitted to recover from the war. When he returned to Michigan from WWII, he could not stay there. The Michigan forests that surrounded his farm were too ominous, too threatening, to trust. He had to stay with family in Chicago, where the dull colors of concrete and brick could shield him. I grew up knowing that when my Grandfather napped, I could not play too loud or drop large things. For, if he woke up because of an unexpected sound, it would be very bad. He woke up startled and prepared for combat, even well into his sixties.
So, my message to a random soldier somewhere in the world:
"If the transition home is too difficult, don't be afraid to ask for help for yourself. You are honoring yourself in the process. Don't be afraid to ask others for help. You deserve peace of mind."
If the recipient chooses to mock my intentions, well.... I'll never know, anyhow.
http://www.uso.org/
