November 2008
Thank you. Two of the most powerful words in the English
language. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for guarding my
freedom to vote. My freedom to walk alone on any street, to befriend who I
like, to love, to choose, to be myself in any and every sense. Thank you for
the scars I’ll never see. For the friends you’ve lost, for the relationships
battered. Thank you for living with the nightmares so that I can sleep
peacefully. Thank you for protecting my right to say what I’d like to whomever
I want to address. For the solid foundation I write upon—I know it is chiseled
in granite and white marble, with names and dates of men and women I will never
meet, never know. But I will never forget. And I will always be grateful—every
day, not just November 11th.
Fans know that every Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day I point
out my gratitude and urge them to reach out in whatever capacity they can. We
do not do right by our wounded, we do not do right by those on their fourth
tour in five years. But this—this we can all do right—we can say thank you.
I’ve sent care packages to men and women since 2001. When
troops set down in Afghanistan
and found nothing to pass the time, not enough food in remote areas, not enough
blankets against the cold. I’ve sent humanitarian items and toys to be passed
out to kids while soldiers are on patrol.
Sometimes a single letter can make the difference in the strength it
takes to keep going. For the families who will never hold their loved one
again, I’ve made quilts as part of the Freedom Quilts in Iowa which started right after 9/11. Below
are two photos of quilts that are or will be in the hands of families. I may
not be able to ease their grief but I can let them know in the darkest hardest
hours that they are not alone. I have
made wonderful friends all over the country. I have cried when some of these
strangers have not returned home safely. I have met a few. But mostly I have
rejoiced when they return safely to their families and they know they are
appreciated.
If you have a stamp, send a letter. If you have more do
more. Here are links to get you going—if
you need a tax deduction as the end of the year nears—these are non-profits who
will most definitely put your money to good work. Questions? Email me.
For addresses to send letters and care packages: www.AnySoldier.com (there are branch
specific sites as well www.AnyMarine.com
for example)
If you quilt or know someone who does: The Freedom Quilt
Project is a wonderful place to deliver quilts into the hands of children, spouses, and parents www.FreedomQuilts.net
The USO has a long and impressive history of serving our men and women in uniform. Consider volunteering for your local chapter or sponsor a care package they deliver
www.USO.org
Taking care of the families of our wounded so healing is a family affair:
www.Fisherhouse.org
From October 2008
Isn't the cover for MERIDIAN amazing? She comes out next summer--stay tuned for details on how you can win a sneak peak of this new Angel who resides between life and death. Her website will launch soon...stay tuned!
Have questions? Comments? I’d love to hear from you at Amber@AmberKizer.com Also, be sure to check out my bio-based game at the Random House website. It's packed with the latest info and some things I bet you didn't know about me! Click here to check it out!