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: Organizations

 SOAR

Founded after the 9/11 attacks, SOAR (Support Our American Recruits) has the unique mission supporting our troops by educating our children about the values of patriotism. SOAR accomplishes its mission by conducting letter and care package collections at schools and scout organizations, and by conducting an annual essay contest. SOAR chapters are located in Georgia and Kentucky, and those interested can sign up for email alerts on their site.

 Volunteer for the DAV

The Disabled Americans Veterans (DAV) is the official organization of disabled U.S. service members, and the DAV relies on a network of volunteers who provide transportation to disabled veterans needing transporation to VA facilities. Those wishing to volunteer should complete an online form. (Select "Voluntary Services" from the list at top.) For more information about the DAV, see their web site.

 Operation: MOM

Operation: MOM is the military support group that includes all family members of all military branches. Operation: Mom sends care packages and letters to our service members, sells T-shirts to fund support operations, and runs message boards that provide mutual support for families. (Warning: the message board may take a long time to load.) The group also has an excellent calendar of events that provides a good overview of Operation: Mom activities. Chapters are located in California and Georgia; however, the organization is trying to start new chapters in other states.

 VA Voluntary Service

The VA Voluntary Service is your connection for volunteering at a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital near you. VA hospitals, centers and homes serve 98,000 veterans each day, and there are 163 VA hospitals nationwide — with at least one in each of the 48 contiguous states. I cannot think of a more noble way to serve those who have already served the United States.

See Volunteer Now to find a hospital near you and to send an email to a contact there. The VA Voluntary Service has an organized Student Volunteer Program designed to provide students with new skills, and the Service has a Corporate Volunteering program that allows companies to get involved.

 Fisher House

Fisher House provides a "home away from home" for families of hospitalized service members and veterans. Our service members and veterans often must seek medical treatment far from home and family. "Comfort homes" — provided by Fisher House — allow families to be close to loved ones who are receiving treatment at a military or veterans hospital.

Fisher House has donated 26 comfort homes. Once donated, the homes are maintained by the respective service branch. There are now Fisher Homes at every major military medical center and at several veterans hospitals. Last year, Fisher Houses served over 7,000 families while providing over 1,500,000 lodging days.

Fisher House accepts donations online. The organization also provides a service called Caring Bridge, which allows a family to create a web page that they can use to update family and friends about the condition of a loved one — a wonderful use of technology!

 Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is the non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to the Coast Guard community. CGMA assistance is funded entirely from contributions and return on CGMA investments. Last year, CGMA provided $6.6 million in assistance to over 7,000 individuals. Most of this assistance was delivered in the form of loans.

 Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the United States Air Force, and its goals are to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them with financing for education. The Society accepts contributions. Contributors are assured that one hundred percent of their contributions are directed to emergency assistance programs. The Society receives no funding from the government.

Last year, the Air Force Aid Society provided over $21 million in direct assistance. Read some of their stories to get a better idea of how the U.S. military takes care of its own, or see respite care for an example of how the society provides assistance.

 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a private non-profit organization that provides financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Navy and Marine Corps community. The Society is sponsored by the Department of the Navy; however, the Society receives no funding from the government.

See About the Society for a description of the services provided. The Layette Program (Junior Seabag) provides a touching reminder of how family oriented our service organizations are. The Society accepts donations (by check and online) and is seeking volunteers who can work at society locations.

 The Ships Project

The Ships Project, formerly known as the Bataan Project, is made up of members who are knitting and sewing for freedom. Ellen Harpin founded the Ships project in 2001 in response to a request made by the crew of the U.S.S. Bataan. Since then, the project has grown to encompass more than 900 volunteers who have sent over 40,000 hand made items to our troops. The Ships Project is currently sending hand made items to 28 ships in addition to Marines, Special Forces and Air Force members.

Visit the link above to learn more about how you can get involved, or you can go straight to Project Information or see Specifications for Ship Project Items.

 Military Pets Foster Project

NetPets.org has a Military Pets Foster Project that touches my heart-strings. The Military Pets Foster Project is a network of foster homes for pets of our service members, and they need foster homes. Visit the site above or email them at the address below if you could foster a pet for a service member (include your state abbreviation in the subject line). The project also accepts donations.