“America’s support means so much to our military.” ~ Admiral Mike Mullen

May is Military Appreciation Month, with Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 6th, Armed Forces Day on the 21st and Memorial Day on May 30th. Too often we let these days slide by as ‘days off’ rather than as days of action.

In addition to putting themselves in harm’s way and risking their lives, deployed military service members miss the irreplaceable milestones of birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations with the people they love. In some cases, they put their careers on hold while they serve. Military families make tremendous sacrifices in addition to supporting the troops that are deployed, tending for our wounded warriors, and surviving our fallen.

Sending thank you cards with a personal message of gratitude, is a simple way for us to make sure military service members and their families know that their sacrifice is deeply appreciated.

Join Operation Appreciation, Host a Thank You Card-Writing Party

Blue Star Families is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, created by military families for military families. A recent survey conducted by Blue Star Families found that 92% of the military families who responded felt “the general public does not truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families.” Blue Star Families created Operation Appreciation as a way to help alleviate this disconnect.

Operation Appreciation makes it easy for you to deliver messages of gratitude to serving and non-serving members of the military and their families. And we’re happy to be involved in making your participation in Operation Appreciation even easier for you.

The following are simple steps you can take, so that in as little as 15 minutes, your messages of thanks will be organized for delivery and for making smiles happen.

1. Order Pre-Addressed, Stamped Thank You Cards

Order pre-addressed and stamped Thank You cards from Jack Cards, and we’ll refund 50% of the cost of any card that you address to Blue Star Families.

To address your cards to Blue Star Families, enter Blue Star Families as one of your contacts in your Planner as follows:

Blue Star Families
P.O. Box 1906
Chesapeake, VA 23327

You can then address each card to Blue Star Families when you click on ‘Personalize Card’ in your shopping cart.

Look out for your refund within 48 hours of placing your order.

2. Host a Thank You Card-Writing Party

Gather your friends, and encourage them to send thank you cards with you. Writing thank you cards can be like going to the gym – it’s hard to get motivated on your own, it’s so much more fun to do with friends, and you feel so good once it’s accomplished!

Share a link to this article with your friends via Facebook and invite them to join you in a card-writing event (pick a weekend and host it virtually or in person – the perfect excuse to catch up with friends.)

3. Select Recipients

Blue Star Families will sort and deliver your cards to their recipients for you. To help their volunteers get your cards into the hands of the recipient as quickly as possible, write the number corresponding to the recipient of your card as follows on the back of each envelope:

1) Parent of a Service Member
2) Spouse of a Service Member
3) Child of a Service Member
4) Veteran (someone who once served in the military)
5) Active Duty Service Member (someone who is currently serving in the military)

If you select for Jack Cards to hand write and mail your cards directly to Blue Star Families (select mail directly when you click on Personalize Card), our team will write the appropriate number on the back of each envelope, based on your message.

4. Tips on Composing a Note of Thanks

Blue Star Families provides the following tips to consider when composing your note of thanks:

1) Begin your letter with a simple salutation such as Dear Parent of a U.S. Service Member, Dear Military Spouse, Dear Military Child, Dear Veteran, or even Dear American Hero.

2) Remember to keep your letter uplifting and supportive, and try to avoid phrases that suggest sympathy such as “during this difficult time”. It is important to remember that while being part of a military family is a challenge, it is also a source of great pride and honor.

3) Keep in mind that not all service members are necessarily deployed or separated from their families at this time. While there are thousands of troops serving overseas, there are also many who are at their home base. Your letter may not necessarily go to a family or service member currently experiencing a deployment.

4) There are many different branches of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard). Gear your letter to a general service member or military family unless you would like for it to go a member of a specific service.

5) Avoid references to war or political statements about the implications of war.

6) Write from your heart. A simple letter to express appreciation for the family’s commitment to serving our nation and recognizing the challenges that service presents is all it will take to brighten someone’s day.

5. Example Thank You Notes

Military Family

Dear Military Family,

Our family is thinking of you and your service member and wishing you all the best. We know it isn’t just the service member who serves but the entire family. We’d like to reach across the miles that separate us to let you know our family appreciates what your family is doing.

Sincerely,
[insert your name]

Parent of a Service Member

Dear Military Parent,

Thank you for raising a child who has grown up with the desire to volunteer in our armed forces. Our family appreciates your sacrifices and we want to say “thanks!” and that we are thinking of you and wishing you and your family all the best.

Sincerely,
[insert your name]

Spouse of a Service Member

Dear Military Spouse,

Our family is thinking of you and your service member and wishing you all the best. We know it isn’t just the service member who serves but the entire family. We’d like to reach across the miles that separate us to let you know our family appreciates what you and your family is doing.

Sincerely,
[insert your name]

Child of a Service Member

Dear Military Child,

Our family would like to tell you how much we appreciate what you do as a military child. Your whole family serves alongside your parent and you must be so proud of what your family is contributing by giving of yourselves. It must be hard at times, when your parent has to deploy, so we want you to know we appreciate it and are thinking of you.

Sincerely,
[insert your name]

Veteran (someone who once served in the military)

Dear Veteran,

Thank you for your service to this country. Our country is a better place because of people who stand up and volunteer. Our family honors you and wishes you all the best.

Sincerely,
[insert your name]

Active Duty Service Member (someone who is currently serving in the military)

Dear Soldier,

Thank you so much for your dedication and service to our country. Thank you especially for the sacrifice you have made to spend time far away. I know it must be hard for you to be away from family, friends, and your home, but I hope you know your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

Warmest regards,
[insert your name]

Let us help you send your appreciation to military families deployed around the world. Contact us if you need help at contactus365 at jackcards dot com, we’d love to hear from you.