Here are three charities that support our troops. Instead of the normal gifts you might give friends, perhaps consider a donation in the name of friends to:
www.childrenoffallensoldiersrelieffund.org/;
www.woundedwarriorproject.org/;
or the old-but-good-as-ever standby, www.uso.org/.
(These proven suggestions come courtesy my-our colleague Abbey Bishop, whose husband Keith is an active duty Army Ranger.)