A friend of mine lost her nephew in Afghanistan last week to a suicide bomber. We at work want to do something to commemorate him at his funeral, but sending flowers seems so much of a waste of money. Does anyone have suggestions? We were thinking of donating money to the USO, sending a care package through the Army, but we're not sure what to do. Any suggestions? Any place locally we can donate?
I am not good with ideas, but please tell your friend that we are thankful for his and their sacrifice, and it was not in vain. "Good bye" to a real American hero...
Depending on where he is being laid to rest your group might could donate money to the purchase of a dwarf Japanese maple to be planted at his site.
Veterans Memorial You could buy a brick in honor of your friend's nephew: http://www.ncveteransmemorial.org/bricks.htm There's a nice Memorial in Wake Forest, too: http://www.wfveteransmemorial.org/ If he's not from NC, most states probably have something similar. We built/dedicated a smaller version of these at my church (Stony Hill Bapt) several years ago with bricks for local Vets. It was a very popular project. We're still adding bricks.