Adopting a Soldier for Christmas Dinner

If you live near a military base, you have likely heard of the ‘Adopt a Soldier’ drive.  This is a wonderful program that many bases offer that allow families to literally adopt a soldier to come over and share their Christmas dinner. 

The simple fact is that these men and women give up holidays with their families in order to go out and train to protect our lives, our freedoms, and our way of life.  Offering Christmas dinner in return is a wonderful thank-you to your local soldiers and a very small price to pay for the sacrifices they make.

There are many benefits to adopting a soldier for both sides.  For soldiers in training or deployed away from their loved ones, it can take the sadness and stress out of the holidays.  It also offers a welcome reprieve from mess hall and cafeteria food.  More importantly, however, it shows these brave men and women that we appreciate what they do to help keep us safe.

When you adopt a soldier for Christmas dinner, you also provide a good lesson for your children.  Kids should know what the average soldier really goes through in order to keep us protected, and they should certainly know that soldiers are people who deserve to be appreciated and respected.  Most soldiers will have many inspiring stories to tell. 

Adopting a soldier also helps serve as a reminder to your family that Christmas is a time for giving, especially to those who might otherwise not have anything to receive.

Making the decision to adopt a soldier this Christmas is truly a noble thing to do.  Not only can you provide a nice dinner for a deserving soldier, but you could make a great new friend and know that you are doing something to help the people who put their lives on the line to protect us.