July is one of my favorite months, and not just because it heralds a return to the sandy beaches and cool waters of the Atlantic. I adore the fourth of July and all the celebrations it brings, from flag-bedecked parades to backyard barbeques. We live on the banks of a large river, and each year the town does an impressive fireworks display over the stretch of water directly behind our house. We host a big cookout for family and friends, and everyone has front row seats for the fireworks. The river is filled with boats that drop anchor for the evening to watch the event, and the entire street becomes one giant tailgating party as people park their cars along the river and break out lawn chairs and coolers. The entire day is a ton of fun and, for me, marks the true beginning of summer.
This month, I happen to be working on a story for a Blaze anthology titled BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, featuring a military hero…one of my favorite subjects! But it also got me thinking about the true meaning of the holiday, and about the amazing men and women in uniform, stationed all over the world.
There’s something about a military hero that sucks me in. I love their unfailing courtesy, and how commanding they look in full dress uniform (and, okay, even better out of it!). Yet beneath that civilized veneer are men who make hard decisions, sometimes under incredible stress. These are men who lay it all on the line. I love the bond they share with their fellow soldiers and the loyalty they have for their units. I appreciate the sacrifices they make on a daily basis, whether it’s being stationed far from those they love, or risking their lives for what they believe in.
In my story, my heroine meets her military hero through an Adopt-a-Soldier program at the school where she teaches, and sends him care packages that are guaranteed to put a smile on his face. If you’re interested in supporting a deployed soldier, there are lots of non-profit, volunteer organizations out there looking for assistance. One of my favorites is Operation Gratitude, at www.opgratitude.org.
What about you? Does a guy in uniform (or out) get you hot and bothered? If you were going to put together a custom care package for your special soldier, what would it include? Let me know, and I’ll pick a random winner to receive a copy of ABLE-BODIED, part of the Uniformly Hot series!
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Wonderful post.
I know when I support the deployed troops they sometimes ask for the strangest things. At an FOB in Afghanistan they were living in mud huts and asked for posters or calendars to decorate the plywood they put up over the mud. They love books and magazines because keeping their minds occupied and off the war in the downtime is important. They will even read romances. My guys got a donation of volleyballs and would play-US vs Afghan National Army, with some Brits and Romanians thrown in. They needed socks in the winter (from being wet all the time from the deep snow) and individual drink mix for water bottles to encourage drinking in the summer so they don’t get dehydrated.
BUT more than any of that, a letter, a postcard, a crayon drawing by a child is the most important, because there is nothing that harms a soldier more than a mailcall when there is no mail for him. And that costs nothing but a first class stamp.
I personally like http://www.booksforsoldiers.com to connect with the troops. Anysoldier.com is also a good site.
Hi Cat, and thanks for the additional links! My office sends out an average of ten care packages each month, both to the guys we work with and to other soldiers we’ve adopted. In addition to the practical things, we also throw in lots of goofy stuff…Nerf balls, frisbees, posable action figures, fake tattoos…anything we think will make them smile. I think the posters are a great idea, and I know they do appreciate magazines and books. But you’re right; nothing compares to a personal note!
I love a guy in uniform. In a care package I would include books, snacks, personal care products, music, and letters of encouragement.
Hi Crystal! I think sending music is a great idea. I’ve been told that getting any kind of a care package is a Big Deal, and that deployed soldiers love receiving them. Thanks for stopping by!
I love men in uniform. I especially love having them as the hero in books. I’m really enjoying the uniformly hot series. Don’t put me in the drawing because I already have Able-Bodied. It was good BTW.
For the care package I would ask my cousin, whose fiance is a marine what they really need because she would have some great ideas. But if I did it on my own I would put books, magazines, snacks that they miss, and a note in there.
Thanks, Nicole! Here’s a question…if you wanted to send your special guy a care package to really get him excited about coming home to see you…what would you include? My heroine sends her guy a few scraps of her lingerie…
That’s a great question, I would send my favorite shirt sprayed with the scent I wear. I think that would do the trick
Oh! Great idea!
I’d send basic essentials like Q-tips, socks, baby wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste.
I’ve sent care packages in the past–through Dear Abby’s operation–and was very practical in my donations: hard candies, lotion, socks, magazines and romance novels, etc.. but now I’m thinking my next one should include more fun stuff, nerf balls and music are great suggestions. I would never have thought of action figures, but now I’m thinking toys and fake tatoos would be really fun. I’m going down the toy aisle next time I’m gathering care package items.
Thanks for the post, Karen, and the ideas, everyone.
Oh, and to get my guy dreaming of me I would include a sexy picture of me holding a picture him close to my heart.
Jillian, I love the idea of a picture of yourself, holding a picture of him. Very nice! As for the fun stuff…I like to think there’s still a boyish side to even the most hardened of soldiers…
Wow what a pic! In our carepacks that we send, usually includes gum, mints, reading material, a few decks of cards, hard candy, chapstick, foot powder, etc.
(E)
Colleen, I loved this picture, too. I actually had to crop a bit off the bottom, since the original shows this guy holding a very serious looking military rifle in front of himself, hiding his credentials…I wasn’t sure, but it might just have been a bit TOO suggestive! (H)
I definitely like stories with men in uniform. I think I would send over DVDs and games to the troops.
Yes, I’m sure that DVDs would be welcome…I wonder which they’d prefer…Three Kings or Three to Tango??
I do get hot and bothered when I see a guy in uniform. I think I would send over some toiletries(toothpaste, soap, toilet paper), candy bars, books and magazines.
I just came back from a business trip that took me through the Baltimore airport. It looked like an entire platoon of Marines had just landed, either on their way home or on their way to their next deployment. Everywhere you turned, there were uniforms. You definitely would have suffered some serious heat stroke!
Nicole S. and Jane…please drop me an email at karenefoley@comcast.net, and I’ll send you my own version of a military care package, complete with a copy of ABLE-BODIED. Thanks!!
Congrats Nicole S. & Jane on your wins!!! (F)
Karen, I have to tell you how much I love ABLE-BODIED. Lately I find myself returning to my two favorite books so far this year, over and over again. (I read it again today.) Those would be ABLE -BODIED and Jillian Burns- ‘Let it ride’. I just can’t seem to put either book on the shelf for long. They some how magically migrate back to my bedside table. LOL…I just love a man in uniform.
As for my care packages. In the past I have sent packages specifically labeled “male” and “female”. One of my co-workers at my last job had a daughter over in the sandbox. She told me that the female soldiers craved “girly” things to remind them of who they really are, after spending so much time ‘playing GI JOE’ as her daughter called it. So I sent huge bottles of pretty smelling shampoos & conditioners for them to share. Avon & Bonnie Bell chapsticks because of the funky flavors offered, individual packets of foot scrub, facial masks, deep conditioners. Even nail polish believe it or not. (definately clear if nothing else.)
As for the guys packages, definately snacks and candy, movies, music, sports magazines, best selling books and playing cards. Then I tossed in disposable razors and shave cream, “manly” soaps and trial size body sprays for some of the new mens scents that came out. I was told every item went to good use for both men and women. So I felt better about seperating the items that way. I hope my suggestions can help others currently sending care packages. BTW, when does BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY come to print? That sounds like it’s gonna be another keeper!
Thank you, Karen.
Pamela! Thank you for the wonderful compliment about LET IT RIDE! You made my day. I’m so glad you liked Cole and Jordan’s story. Gotta love them Flyboys.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Jillian