ARLINGTON, Va. — Army parents, spouses, employers and veterans are being given a tangible “thanks” by the Army: a package of “hooah” items for supporting the service.

The package, which includes an official Army lapel pin, a U.S. Army decal, a letter of thanks and a certificate of appreciation, is available as part of the service’s new “Freedom Team Salute,” a morale-boosting effort kicked off by senior Army leaders Monday.

“Our soldiers could not answer their noble calling … without the support of those from whom they draw so much strength,” Army Secretary Francis Harvey said before the first commemorative packages were presented.

To nominate an individual for a “Freedom Team salute,” active-duty, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard soldiers can go to http://freedomteamsalute.army.mil and enter the name and address of the person whom they wish to recognize.

Spouse pins are topped with the word “spouse,” while employer pins are crested with “employer.”

Veterans can visit the site and fill in their own name and address, Army spokesmen said. Their pins are marked with “veteran.”

The letters of appreciation and certificates are signed by Harvey and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker.

The Army program is modeled on a four-year-old Air Force initiative, “Your Guardians of Freedom,” which began in October 2001 as an Air National Guard initiative to recognize employers of activated Guardsmen.

The Air Force program, www.yourguardiansoffreedom.com, which now includes parents and spouses, offers a specially designed lapel pin and a personalized letter of thanks signed by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff.

For the Army, the packets “are a tangible way to just say thanks to those who give our soldiers so much,” Harvey said.

For veterans, the packages are thanks “for their dedicated service and continuous support,” he said.

“We can’t thank you enough,” Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody said after giving packages to representatives of the Army’s parents, spouses and veterans. “You are a shining example of American patriotism.”