As a sixth-generation American whose relatives fought in every war from the Civil War to the Iraq War, I wanted to do something to give back to our troops who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Five years ago I organized a program called Project M.O.T., which delivers care packages to deployed American Jewish troops far from home and far from their loved ones. This small gesture of giving brings joy to the lives of our brave heroes who are risking everything.
Practically speaking our packages contain small things like CDs, dried fruit, honey, and notes to the soldiers telling them how much we appreciate their sacrifice. But the packages actually provide something much more powerful: a feeling of being remembered, cared for, and appreciated – a taste of being home.
We have been told that when “mail-call” is announced and a sailor in the middle of the ocean finds one of our boxes with his name on it, his will to continue is strengthened. A Marine in a hot sandy desert feels refreshed.
The wounded Benghazi embassy special ops troop still lying in the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center sheds tears when he receives a get well soon card from a student at a Sacramento Hebrew School.
Wherever in the world our soldiers find themselves we welcome them into a feeling of community and caring.
For Project M.O.T., the art of welcoming begins with a gesture of thanks.
