US military members face historic high deployments. You can be their lifeline to home.

With Memorial Day here, many Americans likely are unaware that U.S. military members are deployed more frequently today than during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The military is much leaner today than it was during the past two decades.

As a result, service members are shouldering a heavier mission load. And this puts a serious strain on their schedules and families. As deployments to foreign lands and rotations to hot spots reach historic highs, our military service members need our support now more than ever before.

Countless military-focused nonprofits and veteran support groups understand the hardships incurred by troops, their families and our veterans. We at Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for Americans to express gratitude to our military and first responders, believe we should use the month of May, National Military Appreciation Month, to reinvigorate support for our service members and their families in unique ways.

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Care packages are a lifeline to U.S. troops serving far from home

In 2003, the two of us met via email. Carolyn was in California making packages in her living room, and Mark was deployed to Iraq. We worked together with hundreds of volunteers to send each of the 37,000 1st Armored Division troops in Iraq an Operation Gratitude care package.

Since then, Operation Gratitude has mailed more than 3.8 million packages filled with assorted items and handmade goods to military service members, veterans and their families worldwide. The effect these care packages have on service member morale is immediate and significant.

We recently sent care packages to service members in Syria, Iraq, Kosovo, South Korea, Kuwait and many other locations. Amazingly, many Americans are unaware of U.S. military presence in these regions. But we know how these care packages are a lifeline for the recipients, bringing a bit of home when those wearing the cloth of our country are far away from loved ones.

The handmade gifts and cards provide a tangible reminder that American citizens appreciate the sacrifice it takes to protect our country.

After receiving a handwritten letter and care package, one airman aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt said, "The only human interactions I have are with my fiance and mother. So hearing from others who appreciate me and what I do is really nice."

Take care of families of U.S. service members

Care packages are a tangible expression of support to troops, but perhaps the greatest comfort Americans can provide is the assurance that the families they have left behind are being cared for by the communities they risk their lives to protect.

Military spouses are often stationed far away from family and friends – and military children have to cope with missing one or both of their parents during training and deployments.

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Operation Gratitude developed a targeted solution in the form of stuffed animals called "Battalion Buddies," designed to comfort military kids while their parents are away. One military mother said her child struggled with her dad leaving suddenly, especially at night. The Battalion Buddy gave her child a sense of comfort, and she hadn't let go of it since receiving it.

Another organization, Hope for the Warriors, recognizes the heavy burden service members and their families carry and offers a number of programs designed to help those affected by military service make transitions, maintain their mental and physical health, and stay connected to community resources. For instance, the group offers scholarships to military spouses and caregivers to pursue continued education as they assume a critical new financial role in their family.

Contending with such transitions and confronting the realities of life after military service can be challenging. As a nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans. Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit that brings veterans on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to share in a day of honor – visiting the memorials built to commemorate their service, remembering their fallen comrades and enjoying camaraderie. To date, Honor Flight Network has given nearly 300,000 Veterans this unforgettable experience – as many have described it, the trip of a lifetime.

In a world where aggressive nations threaten global peace, the armed forces and their families willingly make enormous sacrifices to keep Americans safe. There is no question that the individuals who make those sacrifices need the visible support of their fellow citizens.

We encourage you to do what you can to support our troops in a time of global uncertainty, but especially during this Military Appreciation Month. That may mean helping to pack care packages, donating money to a nonprofit or volunteering your services to an organization that supports our troops. These nonprofits honor John F. Kennedy's challenge for the American people: "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."

Acts of support for the military might seem small, but they carry a tremendous impact. Just ask one of the kids clutching a Battalion Buddy.

Carolyn Blashek is the founder and CEO of Operation Gratitude. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (retired) commanded U.S. Army Europe and led 1st Armored Division in combat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to support, honor US military on Memorial Day? Send a care package