Support our troops Buy a Band for Freedom

[gunslinger92557]

I thought this was an interesting way to help support our troops.

Bands For Freedom

[Clint]

Good deal. What "portion" of the proceeds are passed on? I couldn't find it at their site.

If only people would buy those instead of those stupid magnet ribbons that don't benefit anyone but convenience store owners.

[Mavman]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Good deal. What "portion" of the proceeds are passed on? I couldn't find it at their site.

If only people would buy those instead of those stupid magnet ribbons that don't benefit anyone but convenience store owners.

That's what I'd like to know also....what's the split between what's passed on and what's pocketed by the organization selling them.

I am seeing more and more people with the bands, maybe a good thing...?

[ChicsterMG]

Good to see you guys are interested in lending a hand.

The bands from military.com are more to lobbying type orgs. They also spread some of their wealth amongst various military groups. Not sure of the percentage.

The "Freedom" bands will pay for cost of manufacturing and then 100% goes to the armed forces relief trust which does things like help soldiers and families of soldiers that have been wounded or killed in action.

Another way to more directly support troops and families is to contact local posts or National Guard Armories and ask how you can donate or support the local family support groups of soldiers currently deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. They usually sell items like the bracelets and magnets, but the proceeds go to support the soldiers and families of the unit not in some Convenience store owners pocket.

[Trapper]

Great idea. Too bad the rubber wrist band market is so saturated. I thought Lance Armstrong should have patened it, if it was him that started it.

[AceBiker]

Never heard of a armed forces relief fund. Must be something new since I retired.

[fireblade1]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

If only people would buy those instead of those stupid magnet ribbons that don't benefit anyone but convenience store owners.

I'm with you there RowdyRed! Military.com is an excellent resource for military members if they are willing to explore it. I've been unable to verify how much gets to the troops via support programs, but I'm sure there is at least 1 needy soldier getting a care package from a program they support.

Just a little tip for you military supporters. If you know of a military unit that is serving in a combat zone and comes home "light" (service member killed in action), please have a black memorial band made in honor of that fallen soldier. Wear it with a sorrowful heart and plenty of pride, for those who have fallen have paid the ultimate price while standing on the wall to protect this nation.

When one of ours fell during a weapons cache explosion, the VFW I belonged to (Life Member) donated the bands, a Viet Nam vet donated the time to engrave 140 bands, and a local vendor (Boss), donated the $$ to ship them via DHL next day so we could get them before our unit got home. I was instructed to charge for them if I wished. Our soldiers donated over $5K for a college fund for his children, so I gave them out for nothing.

Ours were aluminum bands w/ opening at the bottom, black anodized, w/ the soldiers name, rank, unit of assignment, duty location, date fallen, and the phrase "fallen but never forgotten".

[gunslinger92557]

Originally Posted by fireblade1

Ours were aluminum bands w/ opening at the bottom, black anodized, w/ the soldiers name, rank, unit of assignment, duty location, date fallen, and the phrase "fallen but never forgotten".

When I was in the police academy some of us bought blue metal bands to help support the family of a fallen officer at our department. I think it is an awesome idea. Actually the only time I did not get in trouble for wearing something that was not part of our uniform. I do believe the rubber ones are more comfortable.