In the grocery store the other day I noticed a bin with a sign that read, "Support Our Troops." In the bottom of the cavernous bin were a few cans of non-perishable food. In my heart, I thanked the goodness of people who are trying to do something to help our soldiers. As I thought about that bin and the few cans it held, I realized that while many people want to do something, they have no idea what our soldiers need and what would be most useful. Being the daughter, wife and mother of veterans from the current and past wars, I'd like to offer a few suggestions:

1. If you know someone who is deployed: mow their lawn, rake their leaves, or shovel their snow. It's difficult to maintain a home from overseas.

2. Send a subscription of your local newspaper, Two-Lane Livin' or Wonderful West Virginia to a soldier. The taste of home will be much better than a case of canned spaghetti.

3. Take their kids to a movie, or drop off movie tickets to the stay-home parent. Go to their children's ball games, dance recitals and school plays and cheer for them.

4. Offer to take their kids to the library or help them with their homework.

5. Ask the stay-home parent/mother/father/significant other if there are any little repairs you can do around their house.

6. Change the oil in their car, take it to the car wash, or give it a good waxing. Offer to rotate the tires or get the snow tires put on in the winter.

7. Send the soldier stamped envelopes addressed to his or her family.

8. Give the family some telephone calling cards, and mail some to their soldier overseas.

9. Never discuss why you are against the war with a soldier's family members. They have enough to worry about. Be positive and supportive, and listen.

10. Keep a flag flying at your home, and remember our soldiers every time you see a flag flying free.

Here are more ways to help:

Information and support for Army families: http://www.armyfamiliesonline.org/

Contact friends or family in the WV National Guard who have been deployed.

Send your message to WVdeployed@wv.ngb.army.mil who will see the soldier gets it. Questions should be directed to COL Michael Pitzer (1-304-341-6333) or Charleston Family Assistance Center 1-866-986-4326.

Operation Military Kids (OMK) is the U.S. Army's to support the children who have been impacted by deployment.

www.operationmilitarykids.org.

If you want to know more about OMK events in West Virginia or how you can support military kids in your area call 1-866-731-5733, or email Support@operationmilitarykids.org.

To support deployed marines: www.marineparents.com.

Susanna "Granny Sue" Holstein is the mother of five sons and has 12 grandchildren. A librarian and professional storyteller, Granny Sue lives in Jackson County. She has several published works and a CD of stories and mountain ballads, and writes an online blog, www.grannysu.blogspot.com.