'Tis the season

It's that wonderful time of year when families gather together, friends exchange messages and renew friendships, special church services celebrate the gift of the Christ Child, children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, and everyone anticipates the gifts of that happy season

We are always looking for special ideas for those special gifts. May I offer a few suggestions for gifts in addition to those you've already tucked away? First, consider the Gift of Groceries to help military families in need (http://www.commissaries.com). This program, administered by the Air Force Aid Society, the USO, and Fisher House Foundation, allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates to donate or give as gifts any time of the year. Only authorized commissary shoppers can spend them. This was done very effectively in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when so many of our servicemembers along the Gulf Coast were displaced.

Another idea is to purchase prepaid calling cards from the military exchange to Help Our Troops call home. Any individual or organization can buy these cards, which will be used by those serving overseas in Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom. To learn how to do this, go to www.roa.org and click on the ROAL link, then "Help Our Troops Call Home." If you don't know a person to send a prepaid card to, The American Red Cross, the Air Force Aid Society, or Fisher House will distribute them for you. The latter supports military personnel wounded in action and those being treated in military hospitals.

Another wonderful gift is that of your time. Volunteers are needed to support our military through the USO, visitations to veterans hospitals, Fisher House, and projects done by local ROAL clubs and departments. I thank all who have participated in these projects and have sent correspondence and boxes to our troops this holiday season.

People say that money is not an appropriate gift, but I beg to differ. Donations are needed for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides college educations for the children of those troops who have lost their lives fighting for our freedom. The organization Our Military Kids, Inc., which provides funds for kids so they can continue with sports, fine arts and tutoring programs while their parents are deployed, would also appreciate donations. You can mail checks made out to either of these organizations to: ROAL President, c/o Tracey Ware, ROAL Headquarters, One Constitution Ave. NE, Washington DC. They will be presented at the Mid-Winter Conference and then sent to each organization.

Best wishes to all of you for a safe and happy holiday. Keep our troops who are away from their families this season in your prayers.

Mid-Winter!

Plans have been made for a great Mid-Winter tour and luncheon. Members will have the opportunity to visit the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of the American Indian. There will be no guided tour, as such, and guests can take their time perusing the exhibits, or visiting the two gift shops. The luncheon will be held at the Hilton Hotel, so there will be no worry about inclement weather canceling luncheon plans.

The ROAL Booth co-chairs, Betty Doty and June Ross, have promised many nice items for raffle and there will also be handmade items for sale, the profits going to DEF and other projects enumerated by President Mary Ann Severs.--Fran Gould, Chairman

WHAT IS A HOME?

A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father. Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home.--Ernestine Schuman-Heink

This holiday season will find many Gulf Coast families without a home. Did not the Newborn on that Christmas morn seek a home? We pray for faith, hope, and love; patience, fortitude, and understanding to restore the homes lost.

Many military families will be separated from loved ones during this holiday season. Whether our men and women are serving overseas or in the United States, we will pray for them and their families. May our Lord bless and keep them safe.--Patricia Royals, ROAL chaplain

COPYRIGHT 2005 Reserve Officers Association of the United States
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