Q. How can I send a message or show support for our Soldiers?

A. You are one of thousands of Americans that wish to express their support for service members.

The following are websites for several organizations sponsoring programs for members of the Armed Forces overseas. The Dod does not recommend one over any of the others.

• Send a message of support to Soldiers who are serving in the War on Terrorism through the Army's 'To Our Soldiers' website. http://www.army.mil/tooursoldiers
• Donate a calling card to help keep service members in touch with their families at Operation Uplink at http://www.operationuplink.org/
• Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby at http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ or www.OperationDearAbby.net
• Sign a virtual thank you card at the Defend America Web site at http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html
• Make a donation to one of the military relief societies :
• Army Emergency Relief at http://www.aerhq.org/
• Navy/Marine Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org/
• Air Force Aid Society at http://www.afas.org/
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance at http://www.cgmahq.org/
• Donate to "Operation USO Care Package" at http://www.usometrodc.org/care.html
• Support the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/
• Volunteer at a VA Hospital to honor veterans who bore the lamp of freedom in past conflicts.
• Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA hospitals through a donation to the Fisher House at http://www.fisherhouse.org.
• Reach out to military families in your community, especially those with a loved one overseas.
• Defend America Website: http://www.defendamerica.mil or

http://www.defendamerica.mil/otf/index.html

DoD officials ask citizens not to flood the military mail system with letters, cards, and gifts. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Defense Department can't accept items to be mailed.

Some people have tried to avoid this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an individual service member's overseas address, which however well intentioned, clogs the mail and causes unnecessary delays.

U.S. Troops deployed to the Persian Gulf region and other overseas locations can now receive personal messages from family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues and supporters via the pages of "Stars and Stripes" as well.

"Messages of Support" can be e-mailed to "Stars and Stripes" 24 hours a day at messages@estripes.com, are limited to 50 words or less and will be printed on a first-come, first-run basis. "Stars and Stripes" reserves the right to screen and edit all messages and to omit any determined inappropriate.