Support our troops

by Clair D. Urbain

As the war against terrorists continues here and on the other side of the globe, few U.S. citizens remain untouched by its effects.

Nearly everyone I come in contact with knows of a friend or relative serving in a foreign land; many of them as members in the military reserves. Unfortunately, many also have experienced the loss of a loved one who has fallen in action for the security of our country.

As units deploy for tours of duty, many leave families behind to fend for themselves. The practical matter of maintaining a home and raising a family on a military income that was meant to supplement a full-time job can push families already strapped for cash into financial ruin.

Fortunately, private corporations are stepping to the line to help these military families. Two very good examples come from Bosch/Vermont American and Milwaukee Electric Tool. Both companies have taken distinct and very socially conscious approaches to the dilemmas facing the families of our soldiers.

Bosch, through its Vermont American  Bits and Blades division, is working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars by sponsoring Unmet Needs, a program where a portion of all sales of bits and blades goes to a program set up to help military families that need things like home or auto repairs, child care, emergency medical expenses, and even mortgage and rent payments.

Milwaukee’s program has taken a much more employee-focused approach. Currently, 79 Milwaukee employees have been involved in the military reserves, and when they are called to active duty, the company makes up the difference between an employee’s salary and the amount earned while serving in a military capacity. It also maintains health insurance and other benefits for activated employees. Fellow employees keep in touch with the employee and their families, offering support. The company has also has sent thousands of dollars’ worth of tools to troops to help them complete their missions safely.

I am sure there are other companies with similar stories that show support for our troops and I applaud them. It’s more than a marketing effort to gain favor with customers; it’s the right thing to do.

As fresh troops replace returning divisions, the cycle of need starts over again, and we must continue to provide support in any way possible for these brave soldiers and their families.

If you are looking for a way to help, go to www.americasupportsyou.mil. This is a link-rich page to a wide variety of organizations that address the unique needs of those in service. Here, you can get links to organizations where you can donate frequent flyer miles, send letters of encouragement and thanks to troops, and even provide support for wounded or disabled troops. There’s a handy list of organizations that can help you send packages to troops and even donate phone cards so troops can call family members back home. Do what you can!

Published in the May 2005 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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