Every day, American troops work hard overseas for a peace that many dream of. Often, those left behind wonder what they can do to help such a big cause, but come up empty. Not Michelle Zunker; this twenty-eight year old woman got together with some friends and family and found a way to help.

Michelle and her team adopted a platoon of twenty-nine soldiers who were all deployed in the Middle East and could possibly remain for a fifteen month tour! This adopted platoon has two women and twenty-seven young men, all under the age of thirty. Michelle decided that perhaps some encouragement, packed in with a lot of fun, could help these young soldiers maintain high spirits while away from home.

Every month, Michelle and her friends send a themed box containing dodge balls, board games, movies, paint, and books, along with a flag for a different person each month. The troops love to use these gifts in their downtime, feeling as if they've gotten a taste of home each time.

"The reason why we decided to start up this group was to help give those giving their lives in support of our country the luxuries of home, and letting them know that there are people here who support them and believe in them."said Zunker.

According to Michelle, her group will continue to send these boxes every month until the troops return home. The lives of those who send the boxes have been just as enriched as those receiving them, though. As often as possible, some of the troops will e-mail Michelle and those that are sending these gifts, thanking them and letting them know how everyone is holding up. One e-mail told of a platoon receiving cheap toy water guns and starting a water fight with the sister platoon. In another e-mail, an anonymous soldier from the Launcher Dawgs platoon said, "The troops were jumping like little kids; I heard a lot of 'WOW'. This really makes my job easier, trying to motivate them and keep them in check as to why we are here. This really lifts our morale."

So, want to get involved? Don't worry, this process is very easy! First, either contact fran@adoptaplatoon.org, or fill out an application at the top of the following web page: http://adoptaplatoon.org/new/campaigns.html . There are several options concerning a platoon adoption. You can adopt an entire platoon (usually around fifteen or more people, over twenty is standard), or you can adopt an individual troop. You can agree to send a one time gift, or a year long adoption! Just visit the site and get signed up, and see the spirit of a hero come to life.

The situation overseas may seem like such a huge problem- one that no one over here could help with- but with encouragement and motivation, a soldier will remember what he or she fights for, and that would make all the difference in the world. Even if it does come in the form of a fifty cent water gun!