Joy to the World
(or at least as much of it as we can personally effect)
Here in the UK this Sunday is Remembrance Day and next Tuesday, 11th November, is Armistice Day. We commemorate the sacrifices that previous generations of soldiers made, and that current soldiers continue to make, with two minute's silence.
Unfortunately, that silence extends to further than just a brief commemoration. The Royal British Legion recently launched a "Return to Rationing?" campaign to benefit older veterans, because their research shows nearly 4 in 10 veterans of pensionable age lack the funds needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
That's over one million elderly UK veterans living in quiet poverty. That's not just a shockingly large statistic, it's a shame to the nation.
The annual British Legion Poppy Appeal is currently running. It's going to be a cold and expensive winter this year, so even the small donation of buying a paper poppy will make a positive difference. Other ways you can support servicemen and women & their dependants are to buy a poppy screensaver for your mobile or the X Factor Finalists' Hero single, add a poppE to your email, bid in an online auction and various other methods.
You can also post a message of support on the British Legion messageboard. The unpopularity (or untenability) of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is neither reason nor excuse to condemn those who fight in them. The servicemen and servicewomen risking their lives overseas deserve better than silence.
One thing I have noticed is that it's easy to find American organisations to support US troops overseas - they receive a lot of publicity and popular backing - but difficult to find anything here in the UK. Do organisations such as Socks for Soldiers (Sock & Toiletries), The Ship Project (Knit Scarves & Hats), Cellphones for Soldiers, various write-to-a-serviceman organisations, etc etc exist in the UK? It would be sad to discover they did not.
One organisation I have found however that is particularly appropriate to this time of year is (the rather unsnappily named) UK4U. They provide Christmas gift boxes as 'a gift from the nation' to all those serving in the Armed Forces overseas away from their families. So whilst you're gearing up for Christmas, Hannukah, Winter Solstice, or just a very merry public holiday and all its attendant indulgences, please consider sharing a bit of seasonal joy with someone far from home and their friends & families, and make a donation, of however little or much you can.
And in grand spam tradition - pass this on!
Here in the UK this Sunday is Remembrance Day and next Tuesday, 11th November, is Armistice Day. We commemorate the sacrifices that previous generations of soldiers made, and that current soldiers continue to make, with two minute's silence.
Unfortunately, that silence extends to further than just a brief commemoration. The Royal British Legion recently launched a "Return to Rationing?" campaign to benefit older veterans, because their research shows nearly 4 in 10 veterans of pensionable age lack the funds needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
That's over one million elderly UK veterans living in quiet poverty. That's not just a shockingly large statistic, it's a shame to the nation.
The annual British Legion Poppy Appeal is currently running. It's going to be a cold and expensive winter this year, so even the small donation of buying a paper poppy will make a positive difference. Other ways you can support servicemen and women & their dependants are to buy a poppy screensaver for your mobile or the X Factor Finalists' Hero single, add a poppE to your email, bid in an online auction and various other methods.
You can also post a message of support on the British Legion messageboard. The unpopularity (or untenability) of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is neither reason nor excuse to condemn those who fight in them. The servicemen and servicewomen risking their lives overseas deserve better than silence.
One thing I have noticed is that it's easy to find American organisations to support US troops overseas - they receive a lot of publicity and popular backing - but difficult to find anything here in the UK. Do organisations such as Socks for Soldiers (Sock & Toiletries), The Ship Project (Knit Scarves & Hats), Cellphones for Soldiers, various write-to-a-serviceman organisations, etc etc exist in the UK? It would be sad to discover they did not.
One organisation I have found however that is particularly appropriate to this time of year is (the rather unsnappily named) UK4U. They provide Christmas gift boxes as 'a gift from the nation' to all those serving in the Armed Forces overseas away from their families. So whilst you're gearing up for Christmas, Hannukah, Winter Solstice, or just a very merry public holiday and all its attendant indulgences, please consider sharing a bit of seasonal joy with someone far from home and their friends & families, and make a donation, of however little or much you can.
And in grand spam tradition - pass this on!