We can recall long-ago GI holiday times in Normandy, Guadalcanal, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue, Kuwait, Somalia and a thousand other war zones. And no matter how dark the situation, we could always count on the USO, Red Cross and other volunteer organizations to help give our holidays a bright touch of home.

The USO lists a variety of gifts and donations you can send for the GIs. Check with uso.org/donate for suggestions. If you’d like to send a “Gift from the Homefront”, go to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at aafes.com, or call 1-877-770-4438, to buy gift certificates in $10 or $20 denominations.

Your personal “Gift from the Homefront” may be sent to an individual GI you name, or distributed to “any servicemember” through the USO, American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society or Fisher House. And as fellow seniors who were once GIs, sailors and Marines in long-ago wars, we thank you for your kind thoughts and generosity.