As the holidays approach we need to remember that our freedom is not free. Many have made enormous sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy right here at home. Well some of those brave men and women have come home with the battle scars and are recovering. I, to this day, still write many soldiers who are overseas and a few who have come home from those missions. Most have come home safe and are regular citizens now, going to work and doing their regular life as we are all. It is nice to hear from people I have never met but with whom I have a bond now, and hopefully one that will never go away.

In thinking about how we can do more, an email made its way to me. I thought it was an important enough idea to share here.

Below you will see the address for Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I am encouraging each of us to take five extra minutes and put a Christmas card in the mail to these men and women to remind them that we know what sacrifices they have made and more importantly that we appreciate it.

You may never hear back from them, but isn't the real joy of Christmas in the giving?

Please do this, not for me but for them. Regardless of the politics of the day, the hurt these people have to deal with will go on forever. They deserve no less than your gratitude.

A Recovering American Marine, Sailor or Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20307

PS. I am committing to mailing 100 cards. Who will join me?