There is no better way to support the troops than Supporting the Families that remain behind! Any Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Sailor will tell you the best way to support them, is to support their families at home. Here's ways you can do that.

On the Homefront: USA Freedom Corps
Families of reservists, National Guard men and women and active duty military may need extra help in meeting basic home and family needs during deployment. There are many ways individuals, organizations, and businesses can offer their time and resources to help families of deployed troops. Here are some of the opportunities now available through the USA Freedom Corps' new "On the Homefront" web resource:

• The local chapters of the American Legion, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BPO Elks of the USA, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Council, National Fraternal Congress of America, The Salvation Army, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and YMCA of the USA are among leading community service organizations providing ways for volunteers to help local military families.

• Working with the National Guard and Reserve, as well as with military bases, these organizations will match volunteers with families that need help in areas such as household repairs, spring cleanings or tutoring and direct those families to businesses and organizations that may be offering free or discounted services. Volunteers can also help families, including those who own small businesses, with specialized skills like major repairs, financial planning or legal services.

• Some of these organizations are also helping to take care of children, after school and on the weekends, whose families have a parent or caregiver stationed away from home. Organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Council, and YMCA of the USA are playing important roles in these efforts.

• Individuals can also make a difference at home by reaching out to share their time and compassion with veterans to say "thank you" for their service to our country and by volunteering with a Veterans Administration hospital or other facility.