Brief Introduction

USDef.org is a clearinghouse for military advocacy resources that you can use to support our troops. Too often, we have forgotten our troops after a time of peril. I hope that this site can become a bulwark against that tide. USDef.org (short for U.S. Defense) is — and will remain — a not for profit operation.

See the "Topics" on the left for information about how you can get involved. I am adding information and resources on an almost daily basis. Please come back often, and send information and resources that I can make available to the community.

This site is very much a web log, and entries are listed in order of date entered; however, the topics listed on the left have "Highlighted Resources" that remain on the top of their respective pages.

Recent Entries: Links

 Are You Ready?

Ready.gov is the official government site dedicated to terrorist attack preparedness. The Department of Homeland Security has put together an easy to use site that contains information you can use to prepare for an attack.

At Ready.gov you will find check lists for items that should be contained in your emergency kit. The site also has an excellent downloadable communications plan (PDF version) that your family can use to stay in touch during any type of emergency.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends that all citizens prepare an emergency kit. Emergency kits not only protect Americans, but also these kits make attacks more difficult for terrorists. Thus, by creating your own kit you help defend America.

 Operation Hero Miles

Do you have some extra frequent flyer miles? Would you like to help a service person on R&R or emergency leave get home? Operation Hero Miles can help you donate your frequent flyer miles to a deserving service member.

Operation Hero Miles was founded recently by U.S. Representative C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, and already hundreds of thousands of air miles have been donated to our troops. To donate your miles, click on the Airlines Accepting Donations, and look for your airline. New airlines are joining the program each day, so check back if you do not see your airline.

 Treats for Troops

Treats for Troops has succeeded in its mission of making it easy for anyone to send a care package to a service member. At Treats for Troops you can send a wide variety of care packages to a specific service member or an adopted soldier. It only takes a few minutes and a few clicks to send a present that would be appreciated by a soldier in the field.

 Send a Gift to a Soldier's Family

Show your support by sending a gift to the family of a service member. The AAFES has a gift certificate program that allows you to send a gift certificate to the family of a U.S. service member. Gift certificates donated through this program are distributed by the Army Community Services programs, including the Families of Seriously Injured and Very Seriously Injured Soldiers. See the description of this program or go directly to the online purchase page.

 Gift Certificates for Our Soldiers

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) now has gift certificates available for purchase online. Recipients can use the gift certificates at any PX or BX (Post or Base Exchange) worldwide. Visit the link above for a description of options for sending a gift certificate:

• To an Individual
• To a Forward Deployed Soldier
• To Families of a Soldier
• To a Wounded Service Member
• To Air Force Members and their Families

If you know the address of someone who is deployed, select the first option, and the gift certificate will be sent to him or her. The other four options allow you to donate a gift certificate to a worthy recipient. For more information about the AAFES, visit their web site.

 Support-The-Troops.org

Support-The-Troops.org is a patriotic site dedicated to supporting our military personnel and their families. Notable on the site are a daily news summary, photo archive and featured unit and person. The site founders are also trying to get a discussion board off the ground.

 Blogs of War: Support Our Troops

Blogs of War is a well executed web log dedicated news about the war. Their "Support Our Troops" page (link above) contains a comprehensive list of military news sources in addition to a short list of resources you can use to support our troops.

 Adopt a Service Member in Prayer

The Presidential Prayer Team is asking people to adopt a specific service member in their prayers. Visit the link above to request the name of a service member that you can include in daily prayers. Those requesting a name will be able to download a certificate as a reminder of the commitment made. As far as I can tell, the Presidential Prayer Team has no connection with President George Bush.

 @War Post-a-Note

The National Review Online has created a page of pictures and short notes to our troops. You can view the notes at the link above, and you can email your own submission to corner@nationalreview.com. The National Review Online recommends, "Be sure to attach appropriate image files. Allow 24-48 hrs for turnaround. Submissions will be edited for length and content."

 Navy Moms On Line

It is good to see that inter-service rivalry exists among families of our service members. Navy Moms On Line is the Navy branch of the military moms sites. Their site contains information for navy families in addition to links to their discussion group.

The greeting on their site conjures images of a long and proud heritage:

Wishing you fair winds and following seas.