how do you...

[airkid 0]

show people that you really appreciate them?

well i am coming home from iraq soon and i was just wondering if anyone knew any creative ways i could show the people who supported me the whole time i was away that i really appreciate them...

[CSpenceFLY 1]

Large amounts of money.

Did you know I started a fan club for you while you were gone?

[wmw999 2,587]

Telling them one-on-one, with more than a "thanks" is pretty powerful. There's a lot to be said for the personal, individual "thank you" with details about the difference it made for you.

Or you could throw a party

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[popsjumper 2]

Wendy's got the answer...no need to look elsewhere.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[millertime24 8]

Beer. Lots and lots of beer. BTW, which branch are you in? I'm AF.

Muff #5048

[airtwardo 7]

well i am coming home from iraq soon and i was just wondering if anyone knew any creative ways i could show the people who supported me the whole time i was away that i really appreciate them...

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Yeah, I know what they would appreciate...You live a long, prosperous and fruitful life.

And Thank You for your service!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

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[enflyt 0]

You could take a pic of yourself in uniform in front of something that means something to you over there and put it on a card that says thanks for all of your support. They have those handy dandy card makers, or you can print up a 4*6 and put it on a sheet of paper with your own personal message for each individual person if you'd like.

and yes... thank you as well, for all you do.

[airkid 0]

yeah but i want to get creative...

[airtwardo 7]

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yeah but i want to get creative...

If you want something tangible to give someone that they would cherish...

Get some small 3x5 U.S. Flags and fly each one over your base for a day, then present a flag to each person with your thanks.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[airkid 0]

most of my friends and family supported me... not the war... so i don't think patriotism is the way

[airtwardo 7]

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most of my friends and family supported me... not the war... so i don't think patriotism is the way

You know them better so it's your call...but I too don't support the war, and I recived just such a gift from a cousin... that flag is proudly displayed in my home.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[wmw999 2,587]

I'm pretty thoroughly convinced that the war was a really stupid idea, but I'd still be touched by a flag like that. It's from YOU as a thank you, not from the US government as a bludgeon.

If you're not home yet, and some of the stuff that family and friends did was shared (e.g. cookies, dirty movies), you can always have your unit make a music video.

If there is an Iraqi beer, you could always bring back a couple of cases. Or something else Iraqi that you can buy reasonably safely.

The best present you can give is yourself, home safe, and taking care of yourself. So whatever you give, give it in person if possible, with a smile.

Or you can have a massage party -- hire a half dozen masseurs and masseuses for a 2-hour party with chair massages as part of the entertainment. Kind of a "you took care of me, now I'll take care of you" thing.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[airtwardo 7]

Or you can have a massage party -- hire a half dozen masseurs and masseuses for a 2-hour party with chair massages as part of the entertainment. Kind of a "you took care of me, now I'll take care of you" thing.

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R E A L L Y like the way you think Wendy!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[jonstark 8]

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Or you can have a massage party -- hire a half dozen masseurs and masseuses for a 2-hour party with chair massages as part of the entertainment. Kind of a "you took care of me, now I'll take care of you" thing.

Wendy W.

Skip the chairs... Throw down the visqueen and break out the Kama Sutra oil! WooHoo...!

Welcome home

[enflyt 0]

if you want to know how to say or write anything in arabic, let me know and i can translate some stuff for ya.

and they support you, not the war.. but Iraq is where you are, so maybe something small from there-to show them you were thinking about them too while you were gone (though i'm sure they know it)

[BIGUN 1,483]

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most of my friends and family supported me... not the war... so i don't think patriotism is the way

Don't confuse patriotism with politics. I think they were very patriotic in supporting you. If we learned nothing from Viet Nam; we learned to support our fellow countrymen who serve their country regardless of politics and agendas. The US Military does their job no matter which party holds office and are willing to place themselves in harm's way no matter if they agree, disagree or even understand their orders. To support those men and women is no less than patriotic.

I like Wendy's idea... A nice cool evening barbeque and simple get together where they can thank you for your service and you can thank them for their support. Just being close with family and friends will create a memory of that night for life and that is the greatest gift you can give.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[bluepill 0]

If you can you get them all together why not throw a party for em. It will give you the opportunity to thank them personally and for them to welcome you home.

BP

[kbordson 8]

Step 1. Don't do anything stupid between now and "soon." Come home safely.

Step 2. While over there or maybe on the flight back. Write those dear to you a quick note, maybe on military stationary, nothing too complex

"I was just thinking about you while over here and wanted to Thank You."

Step 3. Give them a hug when you get back. Not a handshake.... go for the FULL PDA!! Big bear hugs!

Step 4. Return the friendship to others that might need it in the future!!!


Done.

[gonzalesna 1]

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well i am coming home from iraq soon and i was just wondering if anyone knew any creative ways i could show the people who supported me the whole time i was away that i really appreciate them...

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Yeah, I know what they would appreciate...You live a long, prosperous and fruitful life.

And Thank You for your service!

Twardo, we all know YOU'VE got that whole long life thing down!!!

Love... bro... lots of love... hugs, kisses, beer etc.

Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie.

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[airkid 0]

well i think the massage party could be a little out of my budget....

thanks guys... i just want to do something fun and creative something that they would never forget.... i think for my dropzone i am going to bring a case of every different brand of beer that i have seen people bring... and just personally thank everyone individually while i am down there... i just wish i could think of something more creative...

i am super excited to come home... i don't think that y'all even reallize... i had my transition brief yesterday (the "hey don't beat your wife" brief....) and it kinda made me think about how close i am to actually coming home... this isn't the first time i have had to leave (i've been in the marine corps for three years) but this is the first time i left so many people behind...