When I was younger, I spent eight years in the U.S. Air Force. Though I served during the First Gulf War, I never saw combat. Heck, I never even left the country, unless you count being stationed in California. I was one of the lucky ones, I suppose.

There are a great many men and women who are serving their country now. They all have made sacrifices; some by staying in when higher pay awaits them in the civilian world; many by separation from their families during TDYs (temporary duty assignments) or remote tours. Then there are those 700-odd who have given that "last, full measure of devotion" - who have bled their last on the rocky soil of Afghanistan, or the sands of Iraq.

It is to my everlasting regret that I no longer serve with this new Band of Brothers; alas, I am too old to reenlist. In searching the 'net, however, I have found other ways in which I - and YOU - can help.

This isn't about politics. I don't care if you believe in the rightness of the war or not. I don't care if you hate George Bush or love him. This is something you can do to help our troops, and the families of the fallen. In the first instance, it is also a way for us to help make a difference on the ground in Iraq.

Spirit of America (SoA) is a nonprofit, charitable organization that helps Americans serving abroad improve the lives of people in need. We enable American military, Foreign Service and reconstruction personnel to submit requests for goods that will help local people. Typically, the requests are for items that established aid organizations and government bureaucracies are not designed to handle and that fall in the gaps between large-scale assistance programs - yet can make an important difference. Utilizing the Internet and grass roots communication, Spirit of America works to fulfill the requests through donors in the United States. SoA collects the tax-deductible donated funds and procures the goods, or secures the direct donation of the requested goods, and arranges shipment to the requestor. We are now accepting and fulfilling requests from Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We do not seek, require or accept funding from the U.S. Government.

Currently, U.S. Marines and SeaBees are training Iraqi men as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and masons. Donated tools will be presented as gifts of friendship when they complete trade school. Your tax-deductible contribution will support Iraqis who are working with the Marines to improve their country.

$670 purchases five electrician tool sets
$157 buys one carpenter tool set
$97 provides a manager/inspector tool set