February 11, 2005

Salute Our Services Adds New Programs to Serve the Families of Deployed Service Members.
McLean, VA February 11th - Salute Our Services, Inc. (SOS), a 501 (c) 3, is best known for their role as a subcontractor for DefenseWeb Technologies (www.defenseweb.com ), on an Army contract to pilot virtual Family Readiness Group sites (vFRG's) at installations around the country. vFRG's, a software system used by command staff and family readiness group leaders to connect deployed military and their families on the Internet, create a mutually supportive virtual neighborhood for deployed military and their families at home. vFRG's also develop a sense of community, no matter where families physically reside -especially significant for the Guard and Reserve who are so geographically dispersed. A Mentor Program is also being developed under this contract to connect family members going through a deployment for the first time with someone who has already been through it. Access the mentor application at www.saluteourservices.org.

The Salute Our Services team knows from personal experience how important it is to have the support of loved ones and the community during deployments. "Some of us have served, some grew up in a military family, and the rest of us are spouses of both active and reserve personnel. We truly understand what it is like 24/7 to worry, to raise our children alone, to be alone, to be strong, to be supportive, and most of all, to recognize that we-- and our military kids--are an important part of the dedicated military family that so proudly serves our nation," explains Tricia Johnson, the President of Salute Our Services.

The SOS team has added additional programs to augment existing family support programs of the United States military.

They include: The Kids Serve, Too (KS2) program which honors, supports, and fosters awareness and appreciation of the sacrifices and challenges faced by children who have parents serving in the military. KS2 fosters community recognition about the sacrifices made by military children when a parent is deployed, by building support systems in school districts not located on military installations, by sponsoring activities and events for military children to demonstrate our country's appreciation, and by providing informational and educational tools and resources for military families and the communities that support them.

Highlights of KS2 include:

• bringing the culture and people of Afghanistan and Iraq alive through presentations in non military schools; and
• helping the children of deployed military maintain their extracurricular activities by engaging the support of the community, or when possible, providing direct financial assistance.

The Once Upon A Soldier program provides an opportunity for a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, who is preparing for a deployment, to be videotaped reading their child's favorite bedtime story, to leave behind for their children during their long absence. This service is provided free to the military through the generosity of our corporate sponsors. For videotaping locations around the U.S, check back often to our web page at www.saluteourservices.org

The 50 State Salute program allows visitors to our site to find their state and see what programs are available to them and what military legislation might apply to relieve their stress during the deployment. Around the country, legislators and others continue to provide us the latest information regarding programs and legislation that assist the military family. This information will continue to be updated and states without programs will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of their neighboring states. 50 State Salute will also include information on discounts and other promotional programs in place to honor the military family.

Ask Judith is a place where you can ask what you can do to assist the military family. People who are looking to donate items, money, or services to show support for the men and women-and the children of the military-- who serve our country, can find out where their assistance is most needed. SOS works in conjunction with many organizations around the country that are set up to handle specific needs. Examples are Angels of Mercy, the Fisher House, Exceptional Parents, and a myriad of other non profits. An inquiry at Ask Judith will assure that you are providing support where it is most needed.

As deployments dramatically increased over the years, so did the demands on service members and their families. Salute Our Services seeks solutions to ease the burden of deployments. Communication is key when families are separated from their service member for long periods of time and family support is essential to the readiness and retention of the men and women who serve our Country.

When the uniformed men and women of the United States military are called to duty, their families serve, too. SOS will continue to develop programs that promote support for both service members and their loved ones.

For more information on SOS programs or to volunteer please contact Courtney Reddington, the SOS Family Programs Director, at 703-442-3800 or [email protected].

Businesses or individuals wishing to show their support for deployed military and their families may contact Salute Our Services, Inc., by emailing us at [email protected] or calling 703-442-3800.

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