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Iraqi boy rests on the arm of U.S. Army Cpl. James Reinhard
An Iraqi boy rests on the arm of U.S. Army Cpl. James Reinhard outside an Iraqi police department in Baghdad, Iraq on March 12, 2006.
(Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Bart A. Bauer, U.S. Navy.)



"When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity.  A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude."
                 —Elie Wiesel




U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bonnie McKinley
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bonnie McKinley checks the respiration of an Iraqi soldier receiving care at the Air Force theater hospital on Balad Air Base, Iraq, on Jan. 6, 2006.  McKinley is a respiratory therapist deployed to Iraq from Sheppard Air Force Base,
(Photo: Master Sgt. Lance Cheung, U.S. Air Force.)




Staff Sgt. Shannon Gartner Reunites With His Daughter
North Dakota National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Shannon Gartner reunites with his daughter, Allison, in Bismarck, N.D., on Aug. 18, 2004. Gartner returned home after a one-year tour in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gartner served with the 957th Multi-Role Bridge Company.
(Photo: Chief Warrant Officer Kiel Skager, U.S. Army.)





U.S. Navy Plane Captains
Heading Image:
U.S. Navy plane captains stand by as their aircraft are launched during flight operations onboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on May 6, 2006. The Lincoln and embarked Carrier Air Wing 2 are operating in the South China Sea.
(Photo: Airman James R. Evans, U.S. Navy.)


Volunteers for Servicemen and Veterans
General FAQ

Q: How do I register a soldier?

A: All we need is the soldier’s military address. This can be entered by a parent, spouse, brother or sister. Just send us the address and the items your soldier needs.

We do NOT list or share our addresses with any person or agency external to VSV. We will obtain the items and pay the postage. If you are able to support our effort financially, please make a partial donation toward the items or just the postage.

U.S. Army soldiers patrol through the region of Nowabab, Afghanistan
U.S. Army soldiers patrol through the region of Nowabab, Afghanistan.  The soldiers are assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
(Photo: Spec. Harold Fields, U.S. Army.)

Q: How can hometown organizations such as schools, churches or the Boy Scouts get involved?

A: Send us an e-mail if you are interested in organizing a fund raising event, -OR- sponsoring a soldier or group of soldiers. See “Operation Remember” listed below.

Send us an e-mail if you’re working on your Eagle Project or Gold Award and want to use the VSV as a basis.

Please Note:  This is NOT a political site, thus we will not promote any political statement or endorse a particular political party. This project is SOLEY dedicated to supporting and demonstrating gratitude to our soldiers and veterans.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scott McCollum Gives His Dog Rocky a Drink of Water
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scott McCollum gives his dog Rocky a drink of water  as they take a break during a cordon and search operation in the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 7, 2006.  McCollum and Rocky are attached to the 10th Mountain Division.   (Photo: Senior Airman Desiree N. Palacios, U.S. Air Force.)


Q: I do not live in Florida; how can I participate in my own state?

A: Send us an e-mail and we’ll either put you in touch with a local organization – or you can organize a local VSV as an individual, a school, a church, or boy scout troop. Contact us for an information package.

Q: What are some specific items I can provide?

A: VSV is presently working on obtaining the following four items. You can donate partially to the purchase of a specific item or you can help us obtain the items themselves.
    • Portable A/C or heating units,
    • Sno-Cone machines
    • Microwave ovens
    • DVD players
We are also interested in CLEAN refurbished items. It’s a pretty rough environment in a battle zone, and items on the above list regularly need to be replaced.

Q: Is there anything I can do for those in service overseas that might help ease the weight of extended stays far from home?

A: VSV is sponsoring a project called "Operation Remember" which is composed of groups and individuals from all across the U.S.  interested in showing their support for soldiers deployed overseas.  The aim of Operation Remember is to make sure any soldier standing in line at mail call, will hear her or his name called.  We send postcards, packages and holiday greetings to show our support for these men and women who are dedicating their lives to the service of our country.

If you have a question not addressed on this page, please feel welcome to contact us!  We look forward to expanding the topics of this FAQ.

Write to: info@vsvusa.org