This is a person-to-person effort - a means for people at home, acting as individual small groups, to support the young men and women who serve in the U.S. Army on our behalf in the very difficult conditions of the Iraqi desert.

It is a very simple concept - a small effort on our part at home can make a very large difference in the day to day stuggle of our solders in harm's way 'over there'.

After hearing from you and learning about your group, our organization will give you a unit assignment from deploying Army units. We are currently seeking supporters for thousands of troops who are currently deployed. For many, this will be their second or third year-long deployment to Iraq, where they will be serving proudly 7,000 miles from home and family.

A platoon is the small unit on the Army organization chart. It is commanded by a junior officer and a platoon sergeant in charge of a number of squads. One type of platoon is shown to the left.

Depending on the Army branch and operational duties, a platoon generally consists of about 30-35 individual soldiers.

Examples of ways that groups can provide support include letters from members of your group, notes or drawings from school children, care packages with snacks, drink powders, newspapers and magazines from home, pens, writing paper, disposable cameras, playing cards, games, videos (DVDs) of favorite shows/movies, etc. See our Support link for a more complete list of suggested items. (You won't have to do it alone - reach out and touch people and businesses in your community - they will want to join in and help as well.)

Once you have established contact with your own platoon, they will write you with requests for specially needed and desired items. You will get to know your soldiers.