Care abroad and at home

By The Gazette Editorial Board

One war is winding down, shakily. Another is heating up. And 2,800 Iowa National Guard members are being deployed to that difficult war zone, Afghanistan, over the next couple of months after training.

These Iowa troops will face an increased danger level amid often harsh conditions. We expect they will perform admirably as many other Iowans before them have done in many theaters of war.

Whether or not you favor our military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, these soldiers and others abroad deserve continued support from the homefront. Care packages, letters and e-contacts are vital to their morale.

And just as important is finding ways to care and support the families these soldiers leave behind - the wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends and children who are so close to these citizen soldiers, who must endure their absence and worry about their safety.

Reach out to these relatives, friends. Or neighbors you haven't met yet. Let them know Iowa cares.