Support the troops. Seriously.

No, I’m not being a smartass. This isn’t a poke at the Bush administration or McCain’s record or anything like that. This isn’t even political.

Hanlon and I are extremely anti-Iraq war, but despite what the talking heads’ rabid, liberal-hating rhetoric might tell you, we’re not anti-military. We both support our men and women in uniform wholeheartedly. In fact, one of our biggest problems with the Iraq war is that soldiers are over there risking and losing life and limb for a cause we think isn’t worthy.

Unfortunately, they’re still there, and our posturing isn’t going to change that any time soon. They’re in Iraq, they’re probably not having a lot of fun, and they could probably use any support we can give them.

Any Soldier is a group that coordinates distribution of care packages to soldiers stationed in the Middle East. They currently have over three thousand military contacts, who distribute donated supplies to over 100,000 members of the armed services. Basically, it’s a database of soldiers with AFO/APO addresses so you can send your support even if you don’t know anyone first-hand. Razors, toilet paper, sunscreen, snacks, candy, any of that is appreciated, and Any Soldier offers a way for you to send those things directly to the troops.

It’s not something to supercede or compete with USO, it’s just another good way to show support for the troops. No politics, no policy debates, just… getting some supplies out to people who could really use them, and who are serving this country, regardless of whether the orders that sent them there were just.

Care packages and donations are great, just like with any armed services support organization. At the very least, you can request for free coffee to be shipped to the troops donated by Dunkin Donuts. Get an address or two from Any Soldier, fill out the online form, and that’s it.

If I see any other free troop donation deals like Dunkin Donuts is doing, I’ll let you know and toss something up to use in tandem with Any Soldier. Thanks.