Winter 2009 USAA Magazine - USAA.com

mail callDEPLOYED PARENTSI read the story “Breaking the News” (Fall 2009) byAlison Buckholtz. A sincere “thank you” to all ourservice men and women and their families for theirsacrifices while being deployed to the combat zones.The statistics on deployed parents — two, three andfour times deployed — are hard to read. There are somany of us who pray every day and throughout eachday for all in combat. Please know we hold you dearly,and you are not alone. n Lillian Kelly, Sacramento, Calif.Your Home, AloneDon’t let crooks stealyour holiday cheer.Plan to travel this winter? Make sure you’re not aneasy mark for thieves. To deter break-ins:n Ask a neighbor you trust to check on your homewhile you’re away.n Stop newspaper and mail deliveries.n Lock all windows and doors, including those in yourgarage and basement.n Ask someone to shovel snow, if needed, duringyour absence.n Use timers on exterior and interior lights and radios tomake your house appear occupied.n Put away tools and ladders — no need to help the badguys break in.n Advise your security company of your plans.n Don’t “tweet” that you’re traveling.Don’t have a home securitysystem? Go to USAA.COM/HomeSecurity. USAA memberscan save up to 44 percenton installation of an ADT HomeSecurity System and can getmonitoring for less than $1/day.Photography by getty imagesFacing our third deployment, my husband and I wereeager to read “Breaking the News.” Our children are 2and 4, and we are always looking for suggestions tomake any aspect of deployment easier on them. Wewere very disappointed in the article and, frankly, thinkit does your readers a great disservice. The suggestionof buying good memories and distractions as a way tomitigate the pain of deployment is irresponsible. Thisis certainly not a solution for most military members.I think it would be more helpful to remind militaryfamilies that their children are receiving invaluablelessons in service and patriotism. n Karen Ruedisueli,Fort Drum, N.Y.LOOKING AHEADJust enjoyed the most recent USAA Magazine (Fall 2009).Sounds like you needed to include the latest update thatfolks are saying we’re now out of the recession, althoughthere will be some climbing still to do. It remains a greatmagazine with lots of useful information. Can’t wait tohear what you all say next time. n Kathryn ElizabethKrastin, Austin, TexasT@lk to UsBe our fan on Facebook®. Log on toFacebook.com/USAA.Twitter® users can follow USAA attwitter.com/usaa_news.E-mail us. Log on to our Web site at USAA.COMand click Contact Us.Write a letter. USAA Magazine, Mail Call, E-1-E,9800 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX78288-3533. Please include a daytimetelephone number.All or part of your letter may be printed in an upcoming issue. It may be edited for clarity and length. Theopinions expressed here are those of individual members and not necessarily of USAA. If you have commentsregarding an individual claim or concerns that do not pertain to items in the magazine, please refer toUSAA.COM for a comprehensive list of contact numbers.usaa.com WINTER 2009 usaa magazine13