I was standing in the checkout line at the store today when I realized that the older man with a cane behind me had only one item in his hand. As we all should, I told him to go in front of me.

I don't know if it was a thank you or if he was just doing what he does, but he proceeded to do a magic show for me while we waited for the people in front of us to check out. It wasn't bad and he had such an amazing smile that I couldn't help but leave the store happier for having met him.

It is a rare opportunity to give pure joy to a complete stranger or to get it. We have that opportunity when we send calling cards to our troops. We give them a little joy and they give us a lot of protection.

Don't our Soldiers and Marines deserve to be happier because of us?

Good News everyone!  We have had a lot of people tell us they would like to give, but are concerned about giving through the internet and don’t have a Compass Bank nearby. 

We heard you.  It took a while and a little bit of effort, but we finally have an account you can donate to at Bank of America, one of the largest banks in the US.  I am told they have the most branches of any bank in the country.  You can find one near you here.

So now all anyone has to do is visit their local BofA and reference G.I. Phone Home (make sure the periods are there) to give a little something back to our heroes!

We want you to feel safe when you give, like we want our troops to feel the safety of home from far away when they hear the voices of their loved-ones.

I have been sitting here trying to figure out what to say this Christmas Eve.  The truth is, its all been said before.  We are within a couple of hundred dollars of sending another batch of calling cards to our troops today.  A few more donations could push it over the top so another gift to the troops could be on its way, but that's not really the intention of this post.  The goal is more of a online card with a different kind of message.

On behalf of the GI Phone Home family our wish for you is that this holiday is exactly what you want it to be, whatever or however you celebrate.

Please keep our protectors and their families in your hearts and minds that they will also get what they want and need so desperately as we share the joy of the season. 

My nephews are coming in 25 days.  Two of my nephews live nearly 2000 miles away so I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I’d like.  We talk on the phone and watch webcams a lot.  While that doesn’t feel like enough, I have to admit that I am thankful for it.  When I was their age we spoke with my grandparents for a few minutes every other Sunday.  The technology is so much better now.

During World War II, families would go months without so much as a word from their loved ones in harm’s way.  The technology is so much better now.  So why can’t our soldiers call home whenever it is safe to do so?  We have thousands of sacrificing Americans who can’t even talk to their families with any regularity. 

On this Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to give back to our proud defense force by sending them what they crave most, the opportunity to talk to the ones they love.  Your $36 donation buys two soldiers an 80 minute phone card each (that would be 600 minutes of calling within the US).  Any amount will make a difference. 

Let’s all give the gift of thanks and family this holiday season for those who give us the gift of freedom.

On this Veteran's Day, my thinking goes to our usual holiday greetings.  "Happy Veteran's Day" doesn't seem to cut it, does it?

With so many of our troops so far from home risking their lives for us, I would much rather focus on the true emotion of the day. 

Let's show our troops and their families how much we appreciate them by helping them stay in contact with phone cards.  We are close to being able to send another big batch of cards, but we need your donations!

So maybe it will catch on if we are the first to wish you all a "Grateful Veteran's Day"!