THE CONCERT

2006 Features

A Time for Unity: Memorial Day Then and Now

Memorial Day has always been a day of unity a time for Americans to come together in remembrance of our fallen heroes from wars past and present. It is, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, a call "to bind our nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan."

At the 2006 National Memorial Day Concert, Gen. Colin Powell USA (Ret.) will share his thoughts on Memorial Day then and now and how the holiday's deeper meaning continues to inspire us as we struggle for ways to heal at a time when "there is immediacy to our sorrow" and "the wounds of war are new again."

Making a Difference "On the Home Front"

When a family loses a loved one, the future suddenly looks very different. Family members need time to grieve, not only for the loved one but also for all the things that "might have been." We naturally want to help these bereaved families, but don't wish to intrude upon their privacy at such a difficult time. Chances are, such families would appreciate and benefit from the support of their community, but simply may not be ready to ask for it.

Go ahead and reach out with a definite idea in mind of how to help. For instance, you could say, "I have three hours on Monday and I can come over to baby-sit. If you'd rather I do something else, let me know!" Be specific in your offering, but also be ready to listen and help as the family's needs change. Remember too that holidays can be difficult, so be sure to be in touch at those times. Or you could participate in some of the other ways listed below.

For ideas about helping families cope with grief, children in particular, go to the Help in Healing section of our website or The American Hospice Foundation. The Grief Center and "Ask Helen" sections of the site will help you better understand what grieving families may be encountering.

Practical Ways to Support the Troops

There are many things we can do as individuals and in groups to help the families of fallen soldiers and those deployed overseas, from posting a note to the troops on the Internet, raising money to send kids to camp or organizing a "job jar" of everyday tasks needed by the families of the fallen.

Here are some useful links and ideas about how to get started:

America Supports You
America Supports You was launched by the Department of Defense to help recognize the efforts of Americans across the country to support our military and to communicate that support to members of our Armed Forces serving at home and overseas.

Americans can show their support by posting a message to the troops, requesting and wearing the program's free dog tag or finding an organization through which they can donate frequent flyer miles, send gift certificates, help sponsor homes for disabled troops or send letters, messages and care packages. The website provides information about more than 150 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families.

VA Voluntary Service (VAVS)
Founded 60 years ago, VAVS is one of the largest volunteer programs of the federal government. Volunteers assist in community-based programs, hospital wards, nursing homes and veterans outreach centers. VAVS also offers a special program for student volunteers and runs a volunteer transportation network.

USO Care Package Program
The USO Care Package Program was created to provide a safe and secure way for the public to show support for our men and women in uniform.

For a $25 dollar donation, Americans can sponsor a care package for a service member who is either en route to an overseas assignment or currently deployed. Each USO Care Package is assembled by volunteers and contains, at a minimum, a 100-minute international calling card, a disposable camera, toiletries, sunscreen and a message of support from a Care Package sponsor.

ThanksUSA.org
ThanksUSA is non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to "thank" the men and women of the United States armed forces. They provide college scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for the children and spouses of our troops. A national treasure hunt to raise awareness and funds for the scholarship program in an educational way debuts on May 29, 2006, offering great family oriented prizes.

Operation Uplink
Operation Uplink, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters, Operation Uplink purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about.

Voices from Home
Voices from Home, sponsored by AMVETS, allows serving military members and their families and friends to send and receive immediate voice e-mail messages to hear the actual voices of their loved ones, regardless of the schedule difficulties, in remote locations around the world.

Cell Phones for Soldiers
Cell Phones for Soldiers was started in April 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts, with money from their piggy banks. The program seeks to help as many soldiers as possible serving overseas call home. Individuals and communities can donate cell phones and accessories or volunteer to set up drop-off centers for cell phone collections.