HOW TO HELP
Reader Andy in San Diego answers my request for info on how to help service members' families with this link:
[Talk show host] Roger Hedgecock (here in San Diego), is helping to promote Operation Homefront, which is getting needed stuff to the families of our military.
Granted, it's limited to the San Diego area (and Camp Pendleton), but since we have some extremely large bases here (Miramar Marine Air Station, Naval Base San Diego (also called "32nd Street"), Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (home of the SEALs on the west coast), Camp Pendleton...and probably a couple minor ones I'm forgetting), Op Homefront is covering a lot of people.
San Diegans can help by volunteering services, from car repair to tax accounting, while others can contribute money. Having just been in San Diego, I can say you really feel the presence of the war there.