Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security – including information on current threat alert levels and state-by-state contacts for homeland security efforts in your area.
• U.S. Military Central Command Center – provides links to information on Operation Liberty Shield and current military operations overseas.
• DefenseLink – Current news and information from the U.S. Department of Defense. This site also includes links to all branches of the U.S. military.

Due to current mail restrictions, security precautions, and transportation restraints, the U.S. Department of Defense cannot accept items mailed to "any service member." In an effort to keep our public and our troops connected, the military has established several alternate options for communicating with service members stationed abroad.

The military asks that citizens not flood the military mail system with letters, cards and gifts. Though well intentioned, this mail can clog the system and cause unnecessary delays in military families contacting their loved ones. Please choose from the services below and send a message of support to our servicemen and women stationed abroad.

• Defend America – Sign a virtual thank you card to our troops.
• Operation Dear Abby – Send our troops an email greeting.

There are things that each of us can do in our communities to support our troops stationed abroad. Below are links to suggestions from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Contact one of the military relief societies:

• Army Emergency Relief
• Navy/Marine Relief Society
• Air Force Aid Society
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
• American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services

Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA Hospitals by contacting the Fisher House.

Help our service members keep in touch with their families through Operation Uplink.