Operation Homefront: Helping Military Families Left Behind During Deployments

Operation Homefront .com ^ | 1/29/03

[Libloather]

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO ASSIST OUR MILITARY FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND DURING DEPLOYMENTS WITH THE DAY TO DAY ISSUES THAT ARISE SO OUR WARRIORS ARE NOT PRE-OCCUPIED WITH THE GOINGS ON AT HOME AND CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE JOB AT HAND!

Veterans, civilians and local businesses in San Diego County want to help fight the war on terrorism by showing their support of our military families!
We have local businesses who are willing to provide pro-bono services, donated furniture, appliances, baby items, stuff!
If you have a problem or a need, or if you would like to volunteer, please call the Operation Homefront hotline at (619) 606-2861 or email us at sandy@cinchouse.com

We will match you with one of our providers or put the word out and find a solution!

Some of the services in our database include:
• Mechanics
• Transportation providers
• Locksmiths
• Towing services
• Computer Rescue
• Attorneys
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Refurbished Computers
• General handyman services
• Appliance repair
• Movers

[Libloather]

Roger Hedgecock brought this up on Rush's show today. This leg of the organization works in the San Diego area.

[Libloather]

Pass it along...

[SAMWolf]

Ping

[GailA]

I picked it up and sent it to the three major talk host in Tennessee. Do the same to talk host in your areas.

[mystery-ak]

This a wonderful idea....is it just locally or across the country?
My husband was just activated and leaves Sat...and every time he has to leave something happens..car, washing machine, etc...I would love to have something like this in case of an emergency.

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[goodnesswins]

bump....sending to locals Radio hosts here in Washington, the State.

[Libloather]

...is it just locally or across the country?

Roger Hedgecock was broadcasting from San Diego but made mention that he was hoping something like this was going on in Virginia.

Maybe email sandy@cinchouse.com and see what the deal is...

[mystery-ak]

Thanks, I will.

[Darksheare]

Thanks for the heads-up on this.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

My husband was just activated and leaves Sat...and every time he has to leave something happens..car, washing machine, etc...

I realize that it's not quite the same thing, but my husband is a truckdriver and while I have finally became accustomed to it, among what I learned how to deal with taking of care of alone was:

-The alternator croaking and my car being dead
-One of the children requiring procedures which can only be done in the hospital
-A natural disaster rendering the home without light/power/heat-in the winter
-The dog coming down with Parvo
-Having emergency surgery
-The refrigerator turning things warm rather then cold

And that's on top of the typical day to day to keep the house/kids/pets/school all clean/orderly/fed/entertained.

Godspeed you your husband!

:*)

[Skwidd]

Agreed. Being on your own and having to deal with everything that comes up is tough, but necessary.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Excellent idea.

[Lady In Blue]

I heard Roger this morning talk about this.About all I could do to help is to volunteer transportation.

[deport]

It's nice to see communities pull together to help out this way. It makes for a stronger community I think.

This impacts families, friends, communities in numerous ways. I saw a clip just the other day talking about the animal shelters in Killeen Texas were Ft. Hood is located and their sudden overload of animals as those that were going on deployment had to find another place for their pets/animals.

[HiJinx]

This good stuff...

Marie, you're a military spouse, right? Do we have anything like this here at Ft. We-Gotchya? I'm sure we could pass it on the announcers at KTAN/K101/KWCD...

[Happy2BMe]

It did me good to see this - thanks - BUMP for San Diego troops and families left behind!

[Johnny Gage]

A bump for the "big list" hitters and talk show "experts"

[doug from upland]

This is wonderful. I wonder if the rat b*st*rds protesting in the street want to help.

[Marie]

I haven't heard anything about this, but I'll call ACS and ask. Just by coincidence, I just happen to be taking the kids to visit a local newspaper editor this morning. I'll get back to you.

[HiJinx]

I e-mailed it to the news director at KTAN (1420AM).

Even if we don't do something on this scale here, I'd like to get involved in something.

The sign board next to the Signal Bde. HQ has a pair of large yellow bows tied to it. This community supports their soldiers...

[AlabamaRebel]

I'm with you, is this Nationally or locally?

I may not be able to do much, but will do what I can.

My wife is also trying to find a way to "Adopt" a soldier in a combat zone to send mail and little goodies from home to make it more bearable. Things that may not be important, but things that front line troops can't get too often. Combat soldiers get mail from home, but they don't get PX privlages in a foxhole.

[mystery-ak]

I think the Canteen on FR has info on that....you might want to check out that thread.

[AlabamaRebel]

All I see in the canteen is post in support, but no where that say's anything about adopting.

I'll keep looking, thanks

[blackie]

Support our troops!

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

[HiJinx]

Please Thank someone in the military for ensuring our Freedom.
Take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to SEND a message to someone in the military.
You'll also find a list of e-mail and snail mail addresses in the Post Office,
as well as suggestions for what to send and how to pack your care packages!

[mystery-ak]

Thanks for the link.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

I emailed them asking for information about starting one in the St. Louis area, I think it's a wonderful idea!

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

I'm sure you will find what you are looking for at one of these websites.

God bless you for wanting to do this :)

http://www.loveourtroops.org/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/tams_67/
http://www.operation-enterprise.org/carepackage.htm
http://asa.theveteran.net/

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

No kidding, huh? The first boat tour my husband did...my power windows got stuck in the down position. One time, the a/c went...mind you it was during the summer in the AZ desert. Almost always, a child or two gets sick, and the power goes out. Stuff like that...

I've been lucky in that my friends' husbands or a neighbor or two have always helped me out when things had broken. Usually, though, I tried to line up some volunteers ahead of time, though all of this occurred on or near a base when we were on active duty.

Now that dh is a reservist, I fear the hardest of military times is yet to come. I pray a lot, and have a strong faith in God; this keeps me going. And I'm sure when things will break, I will be resourceful and find someone willing to help. The challenge for me will be how to combat exhaustion. I have yet to find something to get me through those days upon days of little sleep due to the fact I'm a mother of young children.

Someone ping me, please, if there's word that a group might be setting up in my area.

[RepublicanHippy]

"sudden overload of animals as those that were going on deployment had to find another place for their pets/animals."

I saw something on one of the morning shows about something called "PATRIOTIC PETS." It is a group of people who are taking in soldier's pets as foster parents until the soldier comes home. There might be a website.

[mystery-ak]

I think it's a given that as soon as they leave, things break down...dryer burning up, kids always get sick, lights coming on my cars dash....never fails....I think I have found someone I can call to fix whatever happens.

[HiJinx]

You two really are making some wonderful points that others who are in your shoes need to heed...Gator Girl is in Florida, wife of a Reservist, aren't you?

There's a big difference between being the spouse of an active-duty servicemember surrounded by others like you and being the spouse of a reservist or N.Guardsman. Your support network in the latter case tends to be family or very close friends...and sometimes, even then they don't realize what you're going through.

The best thing you can do for your family if you know your spouse could be deployed is to find someone now who can help you later. And remember, that obligation can work both ways.

As for finding time to sleep...I don't know...I really don't know how Mrs. HJ managed it...friends to take our boys for an overnighter, I guess.

God bless you all, you're stronger than most!

[TheFilter]

One thing not on the list which would seem to be needed is child care.

I know a lot of military spouses who are really going to be hurting during deployment because they're in college classes or work nights.

Many times, you just don't know anyone well enough to ask, or you live far away from close friends and family.

[TheFilter]

Oooh, and the one thing that I worry about as a military spouse is the car breaking down somewhere and not having a ride, etc.

If you know a military family and someone deploys, one of the nicest things you can do is just offer your cell phone number in case there's a minor emergency like that. Peace of mind is worth a lot!

[homeschool mama]

**My wife is also trying to find a way to "Adopt" a soldier in a combat zone to send mail and little goodies from home to make it more bearable. Things that may not be important, but things that front line troops can't get too often. Combat soldiers get mail from home, but they don't get PX privlages in a foxhole.

I think your wife will fill a *very* important need! :o) What a sweetie she must be!

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

There is also a wonderful organization that works in association with the Army and Air National Guard units. It is call Operation Ready Families. They a suppost to have program for every unit. I can't speak for all military groups, but I believe that they are suppose to have a family support group of some kind.
Most ORF(Operation Ready Families)groups have an 800 number to give you current information about their group. They usually have meetings during the drill weekend. If your unit doesn't have one, get involved and start one.

There is also a web site for Marine Mom's that is actually a on line support group for anyone that is affiliated with a Marine.

[Libloather]

I found this on a Google search - http://www.calguard.ca.gov/readyfamilies/resources.htm\

This maybe another avenue...

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Yep that's the one, at least the one from California. But each state should have one. California is hosting the ORF national convention this year.

[StayAt HomeMother]

One thing not on the list which would seem to be needed is child care. I know a lot of military spouses who are really going to be hurting during deployment because they're in college classes or work nights. Many times, you just don't know anyone well enough to ask, or you live far away from close friends and family.

The simple things can mean a lot. When my spouse deployed to Desert Storm, leaving me with three under ten, it would have been great if a neighbor had just watched the kids so I could go grocery shopping wihtout any kids in the cart.

Sundays we all missed Daddy. Sunday School offered an hour of adult conversation in addition to food for the soul.

During Desert Storm, we received an automatic extension on our tax returns. Anyone know if this is true this year as well?

[AlabamaRebel]

Thank you. I passed the info onto my wife, and she also thanks you.

[AlabamaRebel]

My wife and I both thank you.

[HiJinx]

I went to the IRS.GOV web site and searched on 'Military Extension.' I found this article, excerpted below:

International Taxpayer - Automatic 2 Month Extension

You may be allowed an automatic 2-month extension to file your return and pay any federal income tax that is due. You will be allowed the extension if you are a U.S. citizen or resident and on the regular due date of your return:

You are living outside of the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico, or
You are in military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico

If you use a calendar year, the regular due date of your return is April 15.

Service In A Combat Zone

If you served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area, see Extension of deadline in Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide.

I would strongly recommend you request IRS Pub 3, and look further around their web site. This was just an excerpt.

[ladyinred]

This is wonderful. I wonder if the rat b*st*rds protesting in the street want to help.

Well of course they do Doug, afterall, they are the "compassionate" ones don't you know! :-)

Seriously, this is a wonderful idea, and I hope it is repeated across the country.