The provided source material details a range of free resources and support programmes available to military families, primarily within the United States, during periods of deployment. The information encompasses practical assistance, educational materials, emotional support tools, and recreational opportunities, with a focus on families separated from a service member. This article synthesises the available data, focusing on the types of free offers and programmes, their eligibility, and how families might access them. It is important to note that the source material is US-centric; however, the concepts of support programmes, free product samples, and community resources are universally relevant to families dealing with deployment, including those in the UK.
Airport Arrival and Departure Support
For families wishing to accompany a service member to the boarding gate or greet them upon return, some airlines and airports offer special guest passes. According to the source, interested military family members should contact their air carrier representative at the departure or arrival airport to inquire about local procedures. The source advises making inquiries in advance or arriving early, as airline representatives may not always be familiar with the specific policies. This type of access is a logistical freebie, allowing family members to share a more personal part of the travel process without the need for a flight ticket.
Air Travel Assistance
Several organisations are noted for providing help with airfare, enabling military personnel to visit home before or after a deployment. The source lists specific organisations that may offer this assistance: Helping Heroes Fly, Let's Bring 'Em Home, Operation Fly a Soldier Home, Operation Homefront's Miles for Military, Operation Ride Home, and Wings for our Troops. These programmes typically aim to cover or subsidise the cost of flights, making it possible for service members to reunite with their families during or after their deployment period.
Care Packages and Sentimental Gifts
The distribution of care packages is a well-established support mechanism. The source indicates that items are often connected with Unit Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) for distribution to family members. A dedicated link is provided for a listing of organisations that send care packages to deployed military personnel. These packages often contain a variety of items, from daily essentials to comforting treats, serving as a tangible reminder of home.
Specific organisations focus on sending gifts to families left behind. For example, Full Circle Home helps deployed military personnel send a love note and a gift to their wives, fiancés, girlfriends, and mothers for occasions like Christmas and Mother's Day. Little Patriots Embraced aims to deliver a family package to each family dealing with deployment as a gesture of appreciation for their service and sacrifice. These programmes facilitate emotional connection and provide a sense of being cared for during a challenging time.
Support for Families with Babies and Young Children
Resources for expectant mothers and new parents during deployment are also available. Military Families Ministry sends free baby blankets and quilts to Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) for distribution to expectant mothers whose partners are deployed. The Carrying On Project provides free baby carriers to military families, recognising that baby-wearing can help maintain secure attachments, which deployment may interrupt. The goal is to make caring for children easier for the family left behind. Additional baby gifts, baby showers, and childbirth resources are listed on a linked page.
Activities and Educational Materials for Children and Teens
A significant portion of the free resources focuses on supporting military children. Organisations provide activity grants for children of the National Guard and Reserves, who may face financial challenges when a service member leaves a civilian job for deployment.
Creative and connective activities are also offered. Children can create a newspaper of pictures and stories to send to their deployed parent. Free, downloadable colouring pages and activity sheets are designed specifically for military kids to help them stay connected or cope with a parent's absence. The "Flat Brat" programme allows children to customise a paper doll of themselves to send to their deployed parent, who can then photograph it in various locations. Operation Gratitude provides "Battalion Buddies" teddy bears to the children of deploying units upon request from the rear detachment or family readiness officer.
Educational materials are available for the entire family. Operation Paperback allows military families (both adults and children) to sign up for a free shipment of books and DVDs. This is also available for deployed military personnel. A free copy of the book "Your Soldier, Your Army - A Family Guide" by Vicki Cody can be ordered, with downloadable editions available in English and Spanish.
Homecoming and Reintegration Support
Programmes exist to celebrate the return of a service member. Build a Sign offers free homecoming banners; families can upload photos and customise the message, only paying for shipping. The Homecoming Box is an ongoing project that helps children process deployment emotions by saving memories, photos, and treasures throughout the deployment, which they can share with their deployed parent upon their return.
Recreational and Leisure Discounts and Freebies
Several organisations provide free or discounted access to leisure activities. Project Evergreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programmes offer complimentary basic lawn care, landscape, and snow removal services for deployed service members (typically E-6 and below) for the entire length of their deployment. Services are provided by volunteers and can include mowing, trimming, fertilising, and snow removal.
For family outings, Blue Star Family Museums offer free admission to military families at hundreds of museums across the country, typically from Memorial Day until Labor Day, though many locations extend their offers. VetTix or GovX provide great military discounts for concerts and sports events after the service member verifies their duty status. Operation Teammate gives kids backstage access and unique experiences with local and national sports teams.
For children's activities, the "Kids Bowl Free" and "Kids Skate Free" programmes allow military kids to use one free weekly session of bowling or ice skating at participating locations. Coupons are sent by email and can be used at most military bases.
Support for Specific Situations
The source also mentions resources for unique circumstances. For example, there are organisations that support service member families with free appliances and furniture, and others that hold fundraisers to assist new mothers and military children. Dog Tags for Kids allows service members to send a customised gift to their children back home for free. Littlest Hero Care Packages include a toy and a handwritten note thanking military kids for their sacrifices.
For families living far from a military base, several of the discounts and freebies mentioned are available. The source directs readers to a "giant list" with over 70 deployment resources on the Operation We Are Here website.
Accessing These Resources
The primary method of access described in the source material is through contacting specific organisations directly, often via their websites or through Family Readiness Groups (FRGs). FRGs are a common channel for distributing items like care packages, baby blankets, and Battalion Buddies. For programmes like Operation Paperback or the free book offers, individuals typically need to sign up through the organisation's official website or linked page. For services like lawn care or museum admission, eligibility is usually based on the service member's active duty status, which may need to be verified.
It is crucial for families to conduct their own due diligence. The source material is a compilation of links and programme descriptions. Families should visit the official websites of any organisation mentioned to understand the current terms, eligibility criteria, and application processes, as programmes may change over time. While the source provides a valuable starting point, it is not a substitute for direct verification with the programme providers.
Conclusion
The landscape of free resources and support for military families during deployment is diverse, covering practical, emotional, educational, and recreational needs. From air travel assistance and care packages to free baby carriers, educational books, and recreational discounts, a wide array of freebies and programmes exists to alleviate the challenges of separation. Access is typically facilitated through official organisations, Family Readiness Groups, and direct sign-ups. For UK-based military families, while the specific organisations listed may be US-focused, the types of support—such as community networks, free educational materials, and recreational discounts—are concepts that can be sought through local military family support centres, charities, and community programmes. Families are encouraged to utilise resources like the Operation We Are Here website as a starting point for discovering available support.