Remember troops with holiday cards

My husband, Patrick Johnson, has recently been deployed to Afghanistan with the Illinois Army National Guard. After his arrival and speaking to the soldiers that have been stationed there for a time, he told me something that shocked me. He said the soldiers overseas feel that the people of the United States have forgotten about them. Imagine my overwhelming sadness that they believe that we, the United States of America, do not remember their sacrifices everyday.

It seems we are too busy with elections, the stock market, and ourselves to be bothered with the very people who allow us our freedom to have those very same things.

As a town or village, as a county, state, region and country, we need to change this perception. Send a letter to our troops.

Get your kids to sit down when they are "bored," to draw a picture to send. You might be teaching them how to give of themselves instead of to expect. The American Red Cross is sponsoring a drive to send a million greeting cards to the troops for the holidays. If you go to redcross.org you can find out how to send holiday mail to the troops.

Please help the Red Cross reach their goal and give the troops the best Christmas present they could ever receive: A thank you for their sacrifice and service for us and their country.

And maybe knowing you put a smile on soldiers face will be yours.

Sharon Johnson

Palatine