May is National Military Appreciated Month

[thedrifter]

Virtual Card Says Thanks to Men and Women in Uniform

By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2002 -- May is National Military Appreciation Month
each year. In
2002, with Americans in combat in Afghanistan and positioned to face
terrorists around the world, it is even more apt to recognize the
sacrifices American service members make for freedom.

A number of events and activities are planned across the country for
citizens to show their appreciation to service members. There will also
be a way to do that in cyberspace.

Folks who wish to show their appreciation may sign "America's Thank You
Note" to the men and women serving in the military. "There are a lot of
reasons to be appreciative of the military. This year, of course,
there's even more," said David Jackson, editor of DefendAmerica.gov, a
U.S. government Web site dedicated to reporting news about the global
war against terrorism.

The Thank You Note exists in cyberspace. Anyone with a computer can
"sign" the card by going to http://www.defendamerica.gov/ and following
the instructions there. Visitors can type in a name, hometown and state
and then click on a button to submit the greeting. When they do that, a
message thanks them and adds, "Remember, it doesn't have to be Military
Appreciation Month to thank a service member."

Persons without computers can enter DefendAmerica.gov at computer
terminals in public libraries or other sites. One example of ways to
expand the ability of Americans to thank service members for their
sacrifices will be on display May 9-12 at Public Service Recognition
Week activities on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The department
will set up a kiosk so people can visit the Web site and send their good
wishes.

"We hope others will take this idea and run with it," said Allison
Barber, special assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for
public affairs. "My experience is that when we launch an initiative,
people around the country take it and make it bigger and better than
what we could even hope for."

She suggests that companies, local governments, installations, schools
and service organizations may want to link to the Thank You Card from
their own Web sites.

America's Thank You Note will be available through May 31. The names
will be gathered and presented to the military at the end of the month,
officials said.

Sempers,

Roger