I keep coming across stories about ways to send messages in support of our servicemen (service people? anyway) and I keep wondering if A) anyone ever actually reads them and if so B) does it really lift their spirits?
Personally, I don’t think it would mean much to me. I mean, a message from your spouse/parent/child/any relative/friend expressing concern and caring for you, the one very specific known and cared about person is great. A message from Ms. Never Heard Of addressed to no one in particular with some generic good will wishes…isn’t that barely a half-step up from spam?
But maybe I’m all wet. I know this has been done in previous wars (though not by email, I don’t think) so can any veteran here address the questions in my first paragraph?
I’ve heard anecdotal stories from servicepeople who say they do enjoy reading such letters, and that it makes them feel good to hear from someone, anyone, when they are far away from the people they know and care about. They thought of it as fan mail, like celebrities or athletes get.
I’ve also heard that since the anthrax scare, security concerns have pretty much put a stop to this program. Can anyone say if it’s still possible to send actual mail to our troops?
My dad, who is still alive and kicking is a career military enlisted man. US Army Sgt. Major Sir, Retired. I joined the AF when dad was still in the Army(1975). In basic when they asked why I joined the AF was because my dad was in the ARMY. I grew up in the ARMY. Never had the flu until I was 25. (When the shots wore off).
When we were deployed to Germany in 1966, one of the few times we as a family got to go, we communicated with family by tapes. This means only worked if the family on the other end had the same tape player. By the time ( this was 1966) the first time dad went to nam we had this method perfected. We sent tapes back and forth. My sister still has the tapes!
Today, I’m glad that we communicate by all means, but I know what you mean. I grew up with wargomering and to tell you the truth I’m not emailing. I’m sure they got other things on their minds.
When I was in the Gulf War, I recieved many letters from family and friends. Getting mail (except bills) always makes you feel good when your in a bad place. However, one of the most memorable letters out of all of those was from a complete stranger, who took the time and effort to tell me how proud and supportave of our men and women overseas.
I will never forget that letter, because we all know family and friends are there. However, her letter renewed my faith in our cause, and in the humanity of others.
I had a “pen pal” from the first Gulf War which was going on while I was in college. I can’t remember all the details anymore, but he was a lieutenant in one of the armored divisions. He must have liked getting mail from a perfect stranger because we wrote back and forth quite a bit.
When I was in the Gulf War it made a huge difference. When you are out there all by yourself it is wonderful to hear from a fellow countryperson. I think it is very important.
The Anthrax scare may have thrown a monkey wrench in the “To Any Servicemember” letter campaign at the time, but it’s no longer a problem.
I was on a peacekeeping mission in the Balkans in 1999. That place was boring as hell. Eighteen-hour days 7 days a week for my job. The other guys I went there with did 12-on, 12-off. Nothing to do during off hours. On-duty time was spent in a guard tower. No books, cell phones, video games. Nothing to do but stand there and watch the grass grow. The middle of nowhere. No alcohol allowed. Sex was against the rules…yes, it was in writing! I only left post to go sightseeing two times.
In a place like that, it is a tremendous morale boost to know that our country has not forgotten us. I can only imagine what it’s like for my brothers and sisters in a combat zone. I wish I could be there to help cover their back.
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Back in 1963-4, when I was 5 or 6, and my little sister was 1 or 2, my father was in Thailand for a year (pilot/flight instructor in the AF). We sent tapes back and forth instead of letters. When it was our turn, mom would say “Okay, it’s your turn to say ‘hi’ to daddy”. My poor little sister, being too young to actually remember a human being called ‘daddy’, thought the microphone was ‘daddy’!
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