Mother's Day is approaching and advertising is out in force to remind us to thank our moms on the big day.  While you're celebrating your mom, don't forget to thank the mothers all around you as well, particularly the military moms.

Being a mother isn't easy, but raising a child is quite possibly the most rewarding accomplishment most of us will ever have.  When you become a mother, it brings the world into perspective.  You realize what it is to love a person so much that you will do anything, anything to keep him safe. 

As mothers we deal with tantrums, exhaustion, first steps, first words, and first loves.  We haul our children to school, soccer, football and dance lessons.  We are cheerleaders, teachers, coachs, pastors and mothers all rolled into one.  But sometimes, as military moms, we have to be dad as well.  We can pack up an entire house, three children, 2 cats, a dog and a half dead gold fish and move them across an ocean.

By ourselves. 

Or, we watch our sons and daughters proudly march off to war.  We say "I love you" and let them walk away.

Welcome to the life of a military mom.

This Mother's Day, why not do something nice, not just for your mom, but for a military mom.  Say thank you with Operation Appreciation.

We're all familiar with letter for the troops.  Of course, those letters are always appreciated and needed.  But through Operation Appreciation, you can send a card or a letter of thanks to a service member, parent, child or spouse of a service member.  For Mother's Day, this is your chance to let America's military mothers know how much you appreciate all that they have sacrificed in order to keep our country safe.

See our Operation Appreciation page for more information or email programs@bluestarfam.org for a detailed instructional packet.