TS2 / Prayer

"We've been there. We're here for you now." A pocket resource directory for U.S troops and their families.

At this moment, America's finest young men and women are serving in harm's way on our behalf in places thousands of miles from our shores. In Iraq, they liberated oppressed people. In Afghanistan, the Philippines, parts of the Middle East and even here at home, they are preventing another Sept. 11. In over 130 countries, the U.S. military is finding and eliminating terrorists committed to destroying our way of life. As crucial as these operations are, however, America's service personnel find their strength in the unfailing support of family, friends and the nation they serve.

It is important that everyone gives them all the support possible. Veterans of past wars know how much it meant to receive a letter or care package from folks back home. While today's war on terrorism has altered some of the ways to say "thank you," because of security requirements, there are many ways that Americans of all ages can show support for our troops.

On this web site, you will find a number of avenues to show your support. Make a contribution to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund for children of service personnel killed in action. Donate blood. Purchase a flag or yard sign to display proudly in front of your home. Post a message thanking those in uniform for their courage. Organize a prayer vigil at your church for our president and military. Volunteer at a VA hospital. How you show your appreciation for our troops is up to you.

As long as these dedicated Americans fight for us, we will be here for them. Indeed, they are our nation's newest veterans. The American Legion salutes them and asks you to join us in giving them our enduring support.

TS2 stands for Troop Support Services. Everyday, we are seeing increasing numbers of units and military personnel from our communities being activated and deployed. In many cases they leave families and jobs behind them. Therefore, we need to be there for them as a support base by welcoming them home and back into the community. As veterans and veteran advocates, The American Legion family knows from experience just how valuable a helping hand can be in times of need.

To capture this whole process from activation to discharge, we have combined several brochures (Reconnect, Family Support Network and Welcome Home) into one pocket-sized durable Troop Support Services (TS2) Resource Guide. This guide is designed to be placed in the troops' hands prior to deployment. One section of the guide is for the "troop" and the other for the family as a stay-behind.

We have also made available a Post Program Guide that provides more extensive information about the TS2 Resource Guide. With each order, you'll receive stick-on labels that can be attched to the last page of the guide for distribution.

Order your pamphlets and labels on-line by clicking here to submit the order form.

Click here to download the Post Program Guide.

Prayer For Our Troops

The Reverend James T. Akers, D.P.Min.
National Chaplain 2004-2005

Oh God, Our Heavenly Father; for over 200 years, You have blessed us with brave men and women who are willing to defend our freedom. We thank you for each of them and our veterans. They all stand in an unbroken line of brave defenders of freedom at home and abroad.

Being mindful of all who find themselves in harm's way on the far-flung fronts of the world, we invoke Your Divine blessing. May Your protection and grace surround them each day, as they carry out their duties and assigned missions.

May those who have given their lives in the cause of freedom rest forever in Your Holy Presence. Comfort the families who mourn and are left to remember the precious lives of their loved ones. Help us to honor and support them. Let us be ever mindful of each sacrifice made on behalf of the American people by our sons, daughters, husbands, fathers, and friends. Let Your healing hand be upon those who suffer wounds and injuries.

Father, may peace throughout the world be our goal, but never at the cost of compromising that which is right and good for humanity. Help us to be ever vigilant in guarding the liberty which You have bestowed upon us as a nation. Let the courage of those who defend our way of life never be taken for granted.

Give guidance to our leaders at all levels. May wise decisions be made, which will reflect Your Divine will for each day, each crisis, and each future event.

All this we lift up, knowing that Your vision greatly exceeds our limited sight. We place our confidence in You for all things, as we remember Your promise to be with us, "even unto the end of the Age".

Amen

Ways Your Place Of Worship Can Support Our Troops

1. Make a display in your narthex, assembly area or sanctuary. A table and a bulletin board work well.

• Place pictures and names of members serving in the military. You may want to display a global map with pins and names.
• Add family members of those who are serving in the armed forces.
• Add people you know and associate with in the business and community.
• List military bases and units of the Guard and Reserve in your place of worship's area and to whom you minister.

2. Let these people know you are praying for them. Send cards and letters of support. Include bulletins, worship and community news.

• Have a card shower.
• Divide the list for individuals to pray for and communicate with each one.
• Send care packages. You may want to cooperate with the local Legion post and other community-service organizations.
• Send devotionals, scriptural tracts, and various inspirational and secular reading materials. These can be used in many ways.

3. Pray from the pulpit.

• Have a special presentation of the flag during prayer.
• Form prayer chains or host prayer vigils.
• Ask personnel in uniform to participate in the service, or use veterans in your congregation if you don't have any members currently serving.