How to help troops’ families

by Stan Lowe, Chairman (retired), Wyoming Veterans’ Commission
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:13 PM MDT

This article draws upon Col. David Hunt’s book, “On the Hunt: How to wake up Washington and win the War on Terror.” Parts of that book were used also in writing this column’s July 18 article, “Small states aren’t safe from al Qaeda.”

In Chapter 4, Hunt is highly critical of the civilized world’s leaders for not taking the terrorist threat more seriously. He vigorously argues they should devote more time than they have to preventing attacks. Afterward is too late.

He reminds us of July 7, 2005, when suicide bombers first came to the west and committed synchronized deadly attacks. First, they blew up three underground trains in London. Then, 57 minutes later, they blew off the top of a double-decker bus.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Group of Eight -n United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia -n were gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, less than 500 miles away, for their annual economic and political summit.

At this meeting, almost four years after 9/11, what was the main item on the agenda? Climate change. That’s right: not terrorism, but climate change.

Meanwhile, down in London, 56 lay dead and 700 more were injured.

Then, just 16 days after the London bombings, three bombs went off simultaneously in a resort area in Egypt.

The Lamberson family of Casper and Sheridan was victimized by that attack. They are still recovering from it. These are our own people, not the strangers we usually read about.

This is totally unacceptable. Global terrorism must be stopped from killing and maiming Americans overseas and, of course, here. Hunt warns, though, that “if we don’t begin to really understand what we are facing,” suicide bombers will start killing and maiming us over here too.

My July 18 article focused on that part of Chapter 4 dealing with issues like our nation’s numerous vulnerabilities (nuclear power plants, railroads, water systems, etc.), the little done to protect them in nearly six years since 9/11, plus the serious danger our nation faces in its impaired ability to win this war against terror due to growing apathy.

The article quoted Hunt saying, “I want us to get unapathetic. I want Americans to get engaged. This war and its burdens are currently being borne by our soldiers and their families and them alone. The rest of us are not doing our part.”

What he says we citizens should start doing was not addressed in my article, due to space limitations. He states we must speak out more. Let our leaders know we are concerned about our nation’s vulnerabilities, the borders’ issue, the need for more troops and furnishing our brave warriors with the right fighting gear instead of them buying their own.

Why not also address an immediate issue of relieving our troops’ burden of domestic worries by helping their families?

Casper area troops are overseas right now. Their lonely families live here among us n several with children.

To identify families needing assistance, call either of these local military family helpers: Daniella Hamilton (Wyoming National Guard), office phone 234-6165, cell 307-630-6966, a long distance call; or Lisa A. Goss (Army Reserves), home phone 235-5147, cell 277-0432.

Here are suggestions of how you can help.

Babysit while military wives go shopping, or pick up items for them when you go shopping. Help with bothersome household problems.

You men can do needed household repairs or help on the lawnmower. In the wintertime, do a little snow shoveling too.

Try these ideas and others Daniella and Lisa may suggest. Then come up with some of your own after you meet these brave, struggling wives. They are serving, too, you know.

Let’s show al Qaeda what Wyoming, teamed up together, can do! What do you say?

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