The article linked below is from the Christian Science Monitor, and outlines good ways to help support relief for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Charities will tell you that giving cash is always the most efficient way to provide support. Unless your have your own helicopter and fuel for it, sending cash helps those who have the resources to deliver supplies.

Sadly, it seems many 1,000 of people are stranded, and what is needed most now is airlift and sealift to get to those people.

I am so very proud of our military forces, who have deployed the aircraft carries USS Ronald Reagan and the the 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge to the area.

Japan was my home for nearly 6 years while I served with the US Navy, and my thoughts are with those people now. I only wish I could be there to help.

Japan tsunami: Here's how you can help