Riding for our troops

For the last few years there has been an event back home called the Troop Support Ride.  This like many of the events and activities that riders across the country participate in and run are not always understood by the majority of people. 

I've never participated in the Troop Support Ride because we have been overseas during the time it has been active, but both my husband and I have been on the receiving end.  The riders that participate in the TSR start planning for the next year, the day after the event is over.  They fund raise and find sponsors, they collect items and plan.  And the end result is sending hundreds of care packages to soldiers who are currently deployed. 

I happen to know a good number of the people that participate in these kinds of events, they have supported my husband  and I throughout our time in service, through deployments, welcomed us home and sent us off again.  But for most that receive these boxes, they don't know nor will they probably ever meet. 

During both of my deployments, I have had amazing support from my family, but what always floored me was the boxes and letters that people from across the states had sent.  People I would never meet saying how much my service meant to them and how they wanted us to have a little comfort of home, whether it was a little Christmas tree, homemade cookies or something as simple as a homemade card from a child who had done their rendition of a flag or a soldier.  Many of the letters and cards I still have tucked away in a box. 

When you are deployed and you receive that random box from someone you don't know, it takes you aback.  It helps you to realize that there are other people out there besides your immediate family and friends that know where you are and appreciate what you are doing.  Not only are they aware, but they have actively made an effort to let you know they support you.  Mail is one of those things that is listed as a morale lifter and for good reason... a good number of days during deployment just plain suck, whether it has just been excessively hot, you didn't get a chance to eat or on those horrible days when one of your missions was a Hero Mission.  When you arrive back and stop by to check to see if you have mail and there is a box or letter waiting for you, it shows a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Too many times, troops are extremely busy forward and they don't always have the chance to write a thank you to these individuals, so often they don't know the impact they have made.  But all those hours planning events like the Troop Support Ride or a send off/welcome home or any other event that supports our troops is beyond appreciated by those who reap the benefits of that work.  I know I am just one former soldier, but if I could have captured the looks on service members faces over the years as they have received these boxes or received a welcome home - it would be clear how much all of this truly means.  So from the bottom of my heart - Thank you!!!