ok this is my first time using this site! I found a group i want to find a pen pal in. What do i say in it i mean u really dont have a pen pal at this point?? and how many stamps would i need from NC

Brianna

I usually tell him them my name, that I'm a student at SHSU in Huntsville, tx and what my majors are, that I'm actually from Houston and live there during the summer. I talk a little about being a huge baseball fan, following the Astros. I don't say too much about baseball, because I don't know if they like it and don't want to bore them. I end by telling them that it's an honor to write to them and thank them by for all their sacrifice. Sometimes I write more, sometimes I write less. My letters are always handwritten, so it depends on how my hands are feeling. I always try to ask a few questions, but usually forget to, and I add a page of pictures, or put in some strips of my favorite comic. I hope this helps you. Sometimes you hear back, sometimes you don't. (And I usually say that I'm broke and won't be able to afford sending them too much except the letters but ask them if there is anything they need that's small and inexpensive. I want to make sure that my intentions are clear. They are always sweet about this though, and say that they don't care what I send, as long as I care.) And, mine usually only need one stamp. If you have more than four pieces of paper in the envelope, get it weighed just to be sure it gets enough postage. And, soldiers get to mail things for free, so don't worry about sending stamps for them. I hope this helps and that it doesn't all block together when I hit the post button. (Anyone know what my problem is?)

 I tell them a little bit about myself and my family; what we do for a living, where we live, what kind of pets we have. General "get to know you" stuff. I let them know I don't  "demand" or "expect" a response, because I know they have their hands full with all their missions and such, and I make sure to tell them how much my family and I appreciate all the sacrifices, big and small, made by our troops as well as by their loved ones waiting back home for their safe return. I do mention that although I don't expect a response, it is always nice when I find an envelope or a post card marked "Free Mail" mixed in with the bills and junk mail - it's like finding a pearl in an icky ol' oyster. I also make sure to include my e-mail address, because a lot of our troops prefer e-mail to snail-mail. I've got four 3-ring binders full of correspondence from our "kids in the sandbox," and have started on a fifth one. (Each letter or card goes in one of those plastic sheet protectors and then into the notebook.) When I get an e-mail, I print it out, and it goes in the binder with the other cards and letters received. A handful of our "kids" even chat with us on Yahoo! Instant Messenger or google talk, and I also print out our chats to keep with our correspondence. (Isn't technology grand?) I have received five very nice Certificates of Appreciation from contacts, which are also in the ring binders.

I choose contacts who specifically mention they are looking for letters or pen pals; you're more apt to get a response from someone who is actually requesting pen pals, and you don't feel so "bad" for just sending a letter instead of "stuff."

I just want to give a little word of caution here. .  ..  .I think we all know that this is not a "pen-pal website". Yes, many of us do correspond with some of the great men and women in uniform, but the website advises the following in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section when asked if supporters should expect a thank-you when they send something:

The Soldiers are under no obligation to reply. They can't be. We can't burden Soldiers who don't get enough sleep, don't eat enough, live out in the open, or whatever, to do anything not related to their job. Sure can't have their leadership tell them to reply either. If you get a reply, it is voluntary by that Soldier.

Also, AnySoldier is not a "hook-up" or "love-connection" website.  I just say that, because someone who requested an address previously obviously thought that because 1SG John P. Emswiler wrote the following post: 

One warning...I am not looking for a "penpal" or someone to "hook up" with. I have received letters from a couple of women who are looking to "make a connection" with a soldier. To them I must say that I am married to the most wonderful, beautiful woman in the world and that I am not interested in seeing what is out there so, thanks for your support, but please don't write for those reasons.

I think if you're looking for a pen-pal, then I would first look for those groups who are requesting pen-pal's.  Go to the "Where to Send" page.  Click on the Search button at the top.  In the box that shows "requests and email contents" type in pen-pal.  This will bring-up a few requests.  Then go back and type it in with the "-" like this penpal, and you will find more.  This way, you know that you're writing to a group who are looking for pen-pal's.  If you write to someone who does not request pen-pals, then certainly send them a supportive letter, and you might mention that if anyone is interested in corresponding that you'd be happy to write, but again, don't have high expectations, because they didn't ask for that.   

If you are a person who likes to write, then that's GREAT!  I think you might want to write to several different groups, who are requesting pen-pal's, so that your chances are greater that someone will actually write back.  Who knows. . . you might find a few people who enjoy writing!  

George 

P.S.  Postage to service members with an APO or FPO address is the same as U.S. postage, no matter where they are in the world.  . .  . .so it's .42 cents for up to one ounce.  If your post office is like mine, they don't have a very good selection of stamps, so you can find the most current and new-issue stamps at www.usps.com  Click on the tab at the top Buy Stamps & Shop.  They have lots of other fun items too.