I checked the submission site out and you can submit a note with or without a picture. You have a week to get it to them! It’s easy and free! You can submit to have your message online or in print. I submitted one for my son this morning.

Stars and Stripes Holiday Messages are now open for submissions!

Visit the Stripes Holiday Messages website to submit a Holiday Message to a loved one.

Messages submitted before Nov 27th will appear in the newspaper according to their publishing schedule.

H/t Brat at Assoluta Tranquillita

I know we all felt so helpless as the events of November 5th unfolded before our eyes and ears through various news channels. Maybe you live on Ft. Hood and they unfolded for you in real time. Maybe you are like me and have several friends who live there and the events unfolded for you over the phone with very frightened friends.

There are many ways to help out during this time, and the need is great. Please see what you are able to do. This time of year is usually very focused on shopping and doing — maybe you can cut one thing out and give a donation to the Ft. Hood families this year. Do what your conscience directs you to do.

How You Can Help the Fort Hood Family

[11/9/2009]

Source: Army Well-Being and combined sources

The Central Texas community is rallying in support of those who died in the mass shooting at Fort Hood Thursday. Some events going on around town in memorial of the victims are:

• President Obama has ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff until Veteran’s Day in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy on November 5.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

• A local grassroots organization is asking everyone to drive with their headlights on to honor those directly or indirectly affected.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

• Fort Hood will host a memorial service for those lost on November 5. More details to follow.

FUNDRAISERS

• Barton Creek Square and Killeen Mall will support the recent tragedies at Fort Hood by hosting a fundraiser at Kay’s Hallmark. Both Hallmark locations will sell wooden roses for $1. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Families of the victims at Fort Hood.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

If you would like to help by donating funds, consider these worthy organizations helping the Fort Hood Family:

AUSA The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter of Association of the United States Army has set up a Community Response to 11/5 Fund for anyone wishing to make monetary donations to help support the Families of the victims involved in Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood.Checks should be made payable to:The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter
Association of the US Army
ATTN: Community Response to 11/5
P.O. Box 10700
Killeen, Texas 76547

Donations are tax deductible. The tax identification number is 530193361.

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The Fisher House at Fort Hood In this time of national sorrow and grief, many Families may need the services of The Fisher House. Please make donations to:Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
36000 Darnall Loop
Fort Hood TX 76544
254.286.7927

The Fisher House on Facebook

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Operation Homefront Operation Homefront has established an “Emergency Tragedy Fund” for the Families of the injured and deceased Soldiers at Fort Hood. We are saddened by this tragedy and will provide emergency financial assistance to the Families.If you are a Family directly affected, please contact Operation Homefront Texas at 1-800-779-5921.If you would like to donate to this Fund, please use the Donate Now feature. Be sure to indicate “FORT HOOD” on the donor form.

You can also send donations to:

Operation Homefront Texas
10157 IH 35 North, Suite A
San Antonio, Texas 78233.

100% of the funds collected will be designated for the Families at Fort Hood. Thank you for your generosity and support.

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Friends of TAPS, Fort Hood Friends of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) provides immediate and long-term grief support for anyone who has lost a military loved one, regardless of the circumstance or location of the death. These Fort Hood Families will need a safe haven to process their grief and suffering for the weeks, months and years to come - and with your help we will be able to care for all of the Families affected by this terrible event.

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Soldiers’ Angels, Fort Hood Project Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and is standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the Families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:Soldiers’ Angels
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218

Plans are still developing, but the goal is to give these Families and injured heroes something big to smile about when Christmas rolls around. It starts with the $2,000 gift certificate for Christmas for an experience on Christmas Day that will make them forget about it all for at least a little while. To contribute to the effort, click the donation button in the upper left and add type “For Fort Hood” in the comment box that pops up (donations marked this way will be used only for Fort Hood survivors).

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The American Legion Those touched by the Fort Hood event seeking assistance from The American Legion are invited to call 1-800-504-4098 or emailfamilysupport@legion.org.

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Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund Checks can be mailed to:Chaplain’s Fund Office
Bldg. 44, 761st Tank Battalion Ave.
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5000

Checks should be made payable to “CTOF” (Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund) with a note on the memo line stating “Nov. 5 Tragedy.”

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Killeen Red Cross Killeen Red Cross
208 W. Avenue A
Killeen, Texas 76541

You can contact the Killeen Red Cross by phone at 254-200-4400.

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USO Fort Hood USO Fort Hood
Building #1871, 50th St.
Fort Hood, Texas 76544

You can also contact the USO by phone at 254-768-2771.

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Combat Warrior Crisis Network The Combat Warrior Crisis Network is accepting donation to support the Families in the aftermath to help them pick up the pieces and help them move forward. When making a donation please annotate “FORT HOOD” on the donation.For PayPal or Credit Card please visit: Donate to The Combat Warrior Crisis NetworkChecks may be mailed to:

Combat Warrior Crisis Network
3450 FM 1829
Gatesville, TX 76528

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USA Cares

USA Cares has set up an Emergency Fund for the victims of the Fort Hood shootings. Call USA Cares at 800-773-0387 and ask for Frank or Forrest. Let them know that you are wanting to donate to Fort Hood. USA Cares exists to provide military Families with financial support and other critical resources in their time of need.

The post office has posted the APO mailing schedule. If you want to get those packages out on time, follow the guide below. We know there’s never a guarantee, but normally if you follow the calendar your package will arrive in time for the Holidays.

Click to view larger image

The following annoucnement is from the Army’s Stand-To blog:

Military Family Appreciation Month: “Honoring the sacrifices of the military family”

What is it?

Military Family Appreciation Month is a time to honor the sacrifices of our military families. Army families of Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans, and retirees are giving back in a time of need and sustain and support the Soldiers who defend our Nation. Army Families are Army Strong.

What has the Army done?

Throughout the month of November, Army families serving around the world are being honored through a variety of observances and are being recognized for the commitment and contributions they make every day. Efforts to recognize the sacrifices of the Army family by Active, Guard, and Reserve leaders are being joined and supported by DoD organizations to include the Army Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and others. In coordination with the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army Entertainment, and the Army Multimedia Visual Information Directorate, a music video is being produced featuring the song “Life of a Soldier,” written and performed by Spc. Daniel Jens (America’s Got Talent) and Sgt 1st Class Sean Bennett (Nashville Star). The song is dedicated to Army families world-wide.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

Through Army Family Covenant commitments, the Army will continue to build trust and confidence that the Army cares for Soldiers and families. At all levels, we will continue to recognize the continued support and sacrifices Army families make every day, knowing that the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families, and sustaining Soldiers is critical to sustaining an all-volunteer force. Through the commitments represented by the Army Family Covenant, the Army will continue to standardize and fund existing family programs and services, increase accessibility and quality of health care, improve Soldier and family housing, increase excellence in schools, youth services and child care, expand education and employment opportunities for family members, and continue to provide families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive.

Why is it important to the Army?

Army families are important as the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their families. They are a vital connection between Soldiers and the Army’s ability to remain strong. All Army families, Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans and retirees are giving back in this time of need. With thousands of Soldiers deployed, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by Army families has never been more important.

Resources:

My Army One Source

Army Entertainment

Defense Commissary Agency

Army Air Force Exchange Service

Army National Guard

Army Reserve

The following is from Army.net — Let us know if you enter, and definitely if you win! Hooray!

Tell the world the story of your Army hero! The faithful men and women who bravely serve protect us and allow us to enjoy the rights we enjoy each and every day. Now, we’re asking you to share the real stories of those brave individuals.

Every Army soldier will receive a dedicated hero page on Army.net that will live on indefinitely. And as part of the contest, you’ll also have a chance to win some wonderful patriotic gifts for your special soldier.

Contest dates are between October 29th, 2009 and December 10th 2009. Submit your photos early to gain more chances to win!

Contest Details

Send us a photo and essay (as short or long as you would like!) to info@army.net telling us about your soldier and why he or she is a hero to you. We will post your soldier’s photo and your essay on it’s own dedicated page on Army.net in honor of their service.

Prize #1

The Army hero with the most comment ‘votes’ will receive a custom engraved US Army Stainless Steel Watch.

Includes 3 lines of custom engraving with up to 18 characters per line, for example:

• Line 1: Rank
• Line 2: Name
• Line 3: Years of Service, Troop Number, Badge Number, Etc.)

This stunning stainless steel watch features scratch resistant mineral glass crystal, luminescent hands and markers, a calendar feature, unidirectional rotating ratchet bezel, and is water resistant.

Present this thoughtful, personalized gift to your hero in thanks and recognition of what he or she means to you and our country.

How to win:

Rally friends and relatives and encourage them to ‘vote’ for your hero by leaving a comment in the comments section of the page. The hero with the most votes wins! In the event of a tie, those with the tied winning vote count will be given 2 additional days to drum up votes to determine winner. If the tie still holds, one of these winners will be randomly selected.

Prize #2

One Army hero will be randomly selected to win an Army tribute photo frame to display your winning photo and a US Army challenge coin.

This specialty gold trim picture frame measures 9 1/8″ x 7″ and displays a standard size wallet photo. Army green picture mat and gold 3D metal Army insignia proudly display your hero.

This quality U.S. Army Challenge Coin is polished bronze with a diamond wave cut edge that measures 1 5/8″ diameter and produced by the nation’s leading manufacturer of military products.

How to win:

Post about the contest on blogs, websites, and forums and link back to the main contest page and/or your hero page. For every online mention, you will receive an entry to win in a random drawing. Simply email us at info@army.net with the link to the page where you’ve posted about the contest to earn an entry. The more mentions, the more chances to win!