Thank a Soldier Week

Nov 24, 2005
by Drew Bond

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and a some good ol’ American competition, who would you say among the entertainment industry, including fans, are the most thankful for America’s soldiers?

Country music celebrities and fans are by far the most thankful for America’s soldiers.

A bold statement? Hardly. If you are not a country music fan, stay with me. You’ll get your chance to prove me wrong.

Do a Google search for “pop music and soldiers” and you get 5,000,000 results. Try “Christian music and soldiers” gets 5,900,000 results. Search for “rock music and soldiers” and you get 9,000,000 results. Now, try “country music and soldiers”.

A Google search for “country music and soldiers” yields 16,000,000 results!

Sure there’s more scientific approaches to proving my theory, but it’s no secret that country music celebrities and fans are unabashed in their support for our soldiers - whether at war or around the globe keeping the peace.

Which is one of the reasons I love country music.

It’s also why Townhall.com was recently backstage at the Country Music Awards in New York City.

You read that right - “Townhall.com was backstage at the Country Music Awards.”

"Why?" you ask. Or, as a good friend of mine said to me on the elevator: “What’s country music got to do with Townhall.com?” Good question.

When it comes to supporting our American soldiers, country music celebrities and fans by-and-large are the most supportive out of all the other entertainment categories.

There have been other articles written about this so I’ll spare you more details.

But if you are interested, try your own Yahoo or Google search and read the lyrics of the songs you find. Let me know if you disagree.

With the exception of some words from a few “chicks” from Dixie awhile back, you’ll find lyrics that make you want to stand tall, walk proud, raise the American flag, and thank every soldier in sight for the freedom you enjoy and take for granted everyday.

Which brings us back around to why Townhall.com was backstage at the Country Music Awards recently – our soldiers.

Our soldiers need to be thanked. Our soldiers deserve to be thanked. And they should be thanked often and everywhere at all times.

When’s the last time you walked up to a soldier and just said “thanks”? When’s the last time you sent an email of thanks to a soldier? When’s the last time you donated money to a charity that supports our soldiers? Even if it was recent, it wasn’t recent and often enough.

We can’t thank our soldiers enough, which is why Townhall.com was at the CMA’s to kick off the first annual “Thank A Soldier Week” during December 19 – 25.

To learn more, go to www.thankasoldierweek.com.

Our soldiers need to know that no matter what we think about the policies and decisions of their leaders, we appreciate what they do. They need to know that when they put their lives on the line, when they pick up and move their families, when they choose to live on modest means to act on what they believe, that all of America is thankful for them.

As the political battles heat up over the war in Iraq, it’s the soldiers who get hit the hardest in these debates.

Whether intentional or not, the message sent to them is “your work isn’t fully supported.” That shouldn’t be the case.

So let the politicals have it out and debate when to pull out of which country – and these are important debates and should be had – but let’s not forget about the men and women on the sidelines of the debate who are on the frontlines for our freedom to debate.

To give thanks to a soldier now, go to www.thankasoldierweek.com.

And thanks.

A few of the messages of thanks sent at thankasoldierweek.com:

**Please know that I join millions of Americans who are very thankful for your service to our country. As a veteran from the Vietnam era, I appreciate the risks and sacrifices you all are making. Merry Christmas to you, your comrades in arms, and your loved ones at home.**

**I am Brazilian and I would like to thank the American soldiers for their huge efforts in Iraq. Keep on doing what you're doing! Keep on fighting for the freedom.**

**Thank you so much for your defense of our country. I know that you endure many hardships and make many difficult sacrifices, and I want you to know that it IS appreciated here, despite what the "mainstream media" says. It is people like you that make me proud to be an American.**

**You rock. My family and I are behind you 100%, we send care packages, write letters...and vote. We are on your side, and proud to be your countrymen. Hope you come home to a h*** of a party, because you deserve it.**

Some of the recommended charities to Thank the Military for their Dedication & Sacrifices:

Thank a Solider Week is Dec. 19-25. Send an email, thank a soldier, and donate to soldiers' families and charities to express your gratitude for their service. Townhall recommends the following charities for contributions:

Helping Our Heroes Foundation provides immediate direct assistance to wounded troops and their families. They recently delivered Thank a Soldier Week messages and Christmas gifts to the patients and families at Walter Reed hospital (see USA Today's story on the event).

The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund honors the bravery and dedication exhibited by Americans in our armed forces who have sacrificed life and limb by providing educational scholarships to their children.

Operation Homefront, a project supported by Sacramento TownSquare, offers daily help to military families missing their loved ones who are serving our country - from locksmiths to support groups.

American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund supports children of service members killed in the line of duty after September 11.

America Supports You, a division of the U.S. Department of Defense, provides links to donation sites to send phone cards, airline miles, and other contributions to the troops.

National Military Family Association provides resources and information to and lobbies on behalf of military families and all branches of service.

Soldiers' Angels offers various opportunities to "Adopt-a-Soldier" and send aid and comfort to U.S. troops.

Quilts for Soldiers makes quality handmade Quilts of Valor (QOVs) for wounded servicemembers. QOVs are awarded by chaplains throughout military hospitals and VA medical centers nationwide and abroad to honor and comfort the wounded.

Some more worthy charities & foundations, featured on my profile:

Homes for Our Troops is the brainchild of John Gonsalves, a construction supervisor from Wareham, MA, who said he was struck by TV news accounts of a humvee driver in Iraq who lost two legs during a RPG attack. "I remember watching that and wondering, 'What happens to him from here?'" Gonsalves said.

Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation:
100% of every $1 donated goes directly to the children & familes of our fallen Heroes

Operation Hero Miles: Donate your Unused Flyer Miles to Troops Coming Home (President Bush signed this into LAW 10/28/04!)

Help Soldiers Call Home on VideoPhones!
Freedom Calls Foundation supplies video conferencing capability to military hospitals to enable soldiers to see their newborn children. May 10, 2004: First ever video conference between a new father/soldier in Iraq and his newborn child and Mom broadcast live on Fox News "Day Side with Linda Vester".

Supporting Our Troops since 1995: Get Involved! Adopt a Soldier fighting for you!

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Thank a Soldier Week

Some of the recommended charities to Thank the Military for their Dedication & Sacrifices:

Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation:100% of every $1 donated goes directly to the children & familes of our fallen Heroes

Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation:
100% of every $1 donated goes directly to the children & familes of our fallen Heroes