I received an unexpected thank-you note today from one of the 41 service men and women I've contacted on behalf of Operation E-Book Drop so far.

The note was unexpected because I'm one of many authors sending out e-mails about our books, books that our Coalition Troops can download for free via Smashwords. The note expressed appreciation for the offer of a copy of "Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire" and for the show of support by participating authors.

In his column in November/December issue of The History Channel Magazine, James H. Tarbox wrote that "a letter from home, more than parades or ribbons, tells them that you care." He went on to say that our service men and women are spending from 13 months to six years keeping us safe, so taking 15 minutes to send a thank you letter isn't too much to ask.

My wife, who is more outgoing than I am, walks up to service men and women in airports and thanks them for the work that they do. We were in the Atlanta airport earlier this month returning from Indianapolis with a huge mob of Columbus Day traffic. There were hundreds of servicemen and women on all of the concourses, the train, baggage claim and the parking decks. A lot of thank yous. A lot of hands to shake.

We can say "thank you" outside the arena of politics. Debates about the rightness or wrongness of any given war or police action are irrelevant when it comes to appreciation.

I know that a copy of my novel is less personal even though it lasts somewhat longer than a handshake. But I hope it will show that I'm thankful for the work done by our troops often under difficult conditions and frequently in harm's way.

If you're an author with an e-book, ask your publisher to join the growing list of those participating in the program. If you're self-published, consider starting our own Smashwords account and taking part. Or, if you are already sending letters to service men and women, consider attaching your e-book for them to read.