Maria - type away Maria. 

 A soldier posted here very recently that most don't care if it is typed or handwritten - they just like getting mail. 

I used to handwrite.  My handwritting varies from parochial school penmanship to chicken scribble, mostly the latter - so letters are now typed and cards are printed, with a script signature.  And I like to think that my contacts are probably very grateful for the typing.:) 

Of course I tend to sticker n' stamp everything up too:)  Even CVS has very nice 49 cent sheets of Easter stickers these days.  And the Dollar Tree has beautiful spring pansy stickers.  Think I'll stop now:).   Almost - Dollar Store and Big Lots also have inexpensive computer paper in cool patterns and colored envelopes in small enough pacs for seasonal colors.  Now I'll quit.  Happy letter writing.

Ann

I feel like i writing the same thing over and over again but then I remember that I'm sending to many different companies and soldiers. 

I always make homemade cards to them so then I can talka bout the card in the letter.  I include pictures of 'home'.  Home is my trips to Washington DC and Philly.  This way everyone gets home.  Its the part of our home.  And the troops are telling me they LOVE it.  It gives them pictures and 'pretty' parts of home. 

Also I do talk about the weather.  Complaining mostly.  It seems that is the univeral language you have weather wherever you are.

I talk about work.  How there are days I can't wait to tear our of my uniform and lay on my bed reading a book.  Which is ironicly exactly what they dream about some days. 

Talk about PETS.  Many soldiers miss pets and hearing about the love of your animals can remind them of the one waiting for them. 

caspurr:

...I do talk about the weather... 

Me too. I speak about the weather... as in, if I don't like it, I change neighborhoods:  Summer in San Francisco with down jackets and flip-flops; traversing the campus bundled against the cold winds off the mighty Pacific, then rapidly stripping off clothes as I crest the hill into the 30 degree warmer valley beyond. I've done this with pictures, stories, even pillows and flip-flops.

Sometimes the weather is step-off point for a discourse on mindset:  e.g. the novelty of there being residents here who've never been to the City beach because they've "heard" it was always fogged in, while I walk on it, most days, in glorious sunshine - in July, yes I wear the down jacket :)   Well, my latest letter out was full of the magnolia trees, which have just burst into bloom, quite a discovery on a chill foggy morning.

I wrote a SGT (& crew) through two deployments where he only wanted a certain tone.  He'd email, "write me pretty things" or, "write me what makes you smile" - sure had me in a state of gratitude. He'd respond with "find this song and tell me what you think of it"  which I would, at the library, or the demos on Amazon, or the discount store. I learned alot about his musical preferences, and found myself appreciating many details of my day; really enjoyed the sharing. They are expecting to go back out, and oh yes, I sure want to be there if they do.

caspurr:

Also I do talk about the weather.  Complaining mostly.  It seems that is the univeral language you have weather wherever you are.

I always write about the weather, and sometimes send pictures of the weather - especially when we've just had a bunch of snow, or if the trees are covered with ice and look all sparkly. I think weather and landscape are great topics, especially to those in desert surroundings.

 

I start with the weather but somehow always get into the Mickey saga...I'm gonna catch that mouse yet and then the Mickey saga will end...jz

For my first contact I usually try to find a fairly plain card and the inside I say - Just wanted to say hi     Hi    ok, I'm done.  Most of the time that gets them to chuckle.  Then I also put a letter in the envelope letting them know a little about me and Thanking them for keeping my family safe.  If they reply back I ask about the things that interest them and try to find common things to write about.  For me cars, planes, boats are usually pretty easy to talk about.  I also type my letters since I figure they have enough problems finding someone as a local interpreter and it might be hard to find someone that can interpret 'Old Folks'.

Jon

You are too funny!!!

  I also type my letters since I figure they have enough problems finding someone as a local interpreter and it might be hard to find someone that can interpret 'Old Folks'. 

I used to hand write my letters, but depending on the length of the letter, my handwriting goes down hill rapidly.  So now I jsu type them up on my computer.  Spell check rules!  For a first time contact, I usually tell them about myself and my family and then go into a typical day for me.  Once I get a response, I just basically answer the letter back.

I like the idea of sending a picture of home along so the soldiers feel a bit of "home" as well.

Dave

Thanks for the tips as i have read all of the post on this.I am new on here and just started to writing soldiers and was not sure what to say and i got some ideas of what to say and not to say.So thanks to all of you Bobette from Carrollton Mo.

Jon -   May I use your idea?  Giving credit to 'another author' of course.  Sure made me smile when I read your post!!

Thanks for a great idea - have a good one,

Ann

 I am glad I found this thread. I have sent a lot of letters and wondered if they got bored reading them. I hope not. I don't get bored writing them because I am thinking about how special the person is I am writing to the whole time. I start out hand writing to them but after a few times go to the computer. I am sure they can read it MUCH better. And if they put it on a board for all to read that probably makes it easier.  Thanks for all you do.