GREENBELT, Md., March 11 (UPI) -- Women from the World War II generation are clipping coupons to aid U.S. military families at overseas bases, The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) said.

During World War II, Americans were encouraged to buy war bonds and ration supplies but the economic climate of the 21st century encourages anything from increasing spending habits but many do simply nothing at all.

But the women of the American Legion Auxiliary spend their afternoons supporting the war effort one 25 cent coupon at a time. Military bases honor coupons six months past the expiration date and the coupons go to families trying to get by on military salaries, the Post said Tuesday.

Some of the ladies told the Post there were reminded of their husbands and friends who served in Germany and other places as today's veterans come home blinded or missing limbs.

"That's when I first got the sense of what war does to people, to able-bodied men and their families," one said to the newspaper.

There are no national records compiling the total number of savings sent to overseas bases, but the Indianapolis American Legion Auxiliary office estimates it sends nearly $54 million in coupons every year, the Post said.