Please understand that the point of RWBF is not so much about going into the politics of war - it sucks, period - it's allowing simple blogging folks (like me) the opportunity to understand that, why YES, there IS something you can do, actually.

Stop, take a moment and be thankful that someone's mother, father, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend and an absolute stranger has taken an oath to protect and defend our country - without question, or consideration of our imperfections and all - thank you, for asking!

Today, I'd like to tell you a little about Operation Home Front:

Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)3 founded after September 11, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,000 volunteers in 31 chapters nationwide. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need.

There are currently 31 chapters in 34 states, nationwide (you can click here to find one, near you) and a page, listing military families in need, listing information for those who do not have a local chapter.

Existing programs include:                        

• Emergency Aid - Food, baby care items, vehicle donation and repair.
• Computer Program - Allows children and spouses to stay in touch with their loved one.
• Financial Assistance Program - Crises such as illness, homelessness and death.
• Furniture Program - Donated household and baby furniture; working order appliances.
• Moving - Providing physical labor for families when a service member is deployed.
• Social Outreach - Adopt-a-family, Thanksgiving/holiday baskets, back-to-school supplies.

Donations and discounts are given by service providers - for example, wounded vets can get discount homes in Arizona - if you have a business, or looking for opportunities in corporate sponsorships, and would like to join their growing database of service providers that provide discounted services, or pro-bono services, please click here for more information.

Perhaps you ARE a little like me (a tired, frustrated old mommyblogger who is happy, just to be heard) and can't help but still believe that sometimes saying "thank you" just does NOT seem like much.  I know.  It's nice to hear, though, and perhaps know that even the smallest effort - like, saying "thank you" - can make someone's day!

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Is there anyone you'd like to pay tribute to?

Not a problem.  All you have to do is leave your name, or their name, or link to a blog post (like I did in the example above) with one simple line:

"Thank you!"

Be sure to grab a badge:

The Code:

<a href="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/this_full_house/red-white-and-blue-friday.html"><img src="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/badges/rwbf-ribbon.jpg"></a>

It will link back to Red, White and Blue Fridays, enabling other bloggers to join in paying tribute to our soldiers and their families.

Checking out our Wall of Honor and see how it GROWS!

Regardless of the fact that you are a democrat, republican, liberal, independent, conservative, left wing, right wing, or a giant purple people-eater - WHATEVER -  wouldn't it be nice if we could ALL just...you know...come together and NOT be afraid to flaunt our red, white and blue....yeah...I mean, that's what the blogosphere is for...YES?

Any questions, or trouble copying the code, feel free to email Liz at:  [email protected]

Thank you for taking the time to stop by - support our troops, bring them home, treat them right - HOOAH!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

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