I want to write a few letters, but since I really don't know who I would be writing to I just don't know quite what to write.  I'm not expecting to start a massive correspondence.  I don't mind the letter in a bottle idea since you never know if anyone has either the time the ability or the inclination to write back. I could use ideas of what anyone would like to hear about.

I can ramble on and on and on about my hobbies but that seems a bit selfish to be writing about how much fun I have doing a variety of activities when the people I'm writing to are stuck in a dessert somewhere.

Update: Thanks a bunch, I've figured out the what to write part and even written and sent my first two letters.  Tomorrow I'll figure out how to handle the post office and customs forms while sending my first care package over 16 ounces.  One of the groups I picked was looking for phone cards which I didn't think to check before requesting the address so I sent a letter anyway and once I figure out which phone cards are correct I'll send a few of those too.  The other was looking for board games which I picked about a dozen up from freecycle so I just have to ship them.

Update2: I figured out the whole addressing and customs forms, you can ask your post office to give you a supply of both forms and boxes so you don't have to go in everytime.  The best deal on shipping seems to be the large flat rate box which they give you a shipping discount on so it's $10.95 instead of $12.95.  Also, you don't have to request a new address for your soldier if you've waited a day or two to ship your item, just check their post on the day of shipping and make sure it doesn't show a change of address (can't do it from a blackberry, I tried).  I was really stressing over this when I got my first two addresses.  Since it resulted in two extra letters going out it's probably a good thing, but I really was worried.  I've now sent my first package as well as ordered 2 phone cards which I'll forward once they get to me.  Yikes, those phone cards are expensive!  I really take the ability to pick up the phone and make a call for granted.

I usually tell them my name, that I am a 20 year old student at Sam Houston State University and what my majors are and why I chose them. I tell that I am a huge baseball fan, and sometimes ramble on about my favorite teams. I then tell them that it's an honor writing to them and thank them for all of their sacrifice. I always send pictures of my dog, my car, my favorite vacationing places and write about them next to the photos. I also like to include some of my favorite comics and offer to send some every week. Hope I helped. :)

Hi Sara!

 

I worried, too, but remember, often the troops are just looking for a bit of an escape from the boredom or horrors of their everyday life and a "reality check" that life back home is still "normal" and that the things you do are the sort of freedoms they are fighting for.  Does that make sense?  For instance if you go shopping and buy a new pair of shorts and flip flops, or go to an uncensored movie, or read The Bible, those are freedoms probably not readily available where your soldier is serving.  They need that verification that life, in deed, is going along.  Plus also, remember to thank them and let them know why you selected them... From the same state?  Same last name?  You have connections for toothpaste?   They love dogs...?  Ask them questions (but don't expect answers! :))  Let them know they are significant and not forgotten.  Very simple.  I have decided since I have several groups, to set up "form letters" so each group will get #1, then #2, etc., but I will also hand write a current events type thing so they get general information about my life, pets, etc., but also the most recent incidents (like the cat throwing up a hair ball into my slipper which I found with my bare foot...ewwwww!  lol).  Hope this helps.  As you develop that "relationship" with them, it will become easier.

Have fun!

Debbie

Trust me, we have all been there and in a month you will be an old hat.  Nope, not selfish, That is what they want to hear, what you did, what things are like.  Tell about your dog, a funny story, a bird you saw, send them a picture of flowers in your garden, a fountain where you shop or a statue at your school.  Get all the neighborhood kids to sign it.  What ever you say within the bounds of taste is okay.  They just want to hear that someone cares.  You may make a pen pal or you may just brighten a weary soldiers day.  And welcome to the board.

Write about you, write about your activities, write about the world on this side of the ocean.  They crave normalcy........as one put it to me "this place is a big black hole and you get sucked into it if you aren't careful". Introduce yourself in the first letter and give your email address.  Some find it easier to correspond by email.  Others......you may not hear from .........it may be too difficult to get computer time.  Always know that someone is reading those letters!!!

Thanks for the responses, that really does help me out.  I guess I'll just start with an introductory letter and send it to half a dozen folks with why I decided to choose them...I'm still not sure how I'll decide, but hey I'll figure it out...and then add that they should feel free to share if they think that anyone else might be interested.

I keep an online journal at another site that a few friends have posted on so I guess I'll just keep that up and do more of a letter and anyone who would prefer to opt out can but until I hear "please don't" send I'll just keep sending.

 I send picture stories of my adventures with the "ordinary things" that I do. They love the Boy Scout campouts, vacation photos, local scenery,  just about anything from home. One time I sent pictures of elk that I took nearby and they loved it!?! (Even a picture of my dog with an explanation of what breed he is - included with a cute purchased card of a dog -  has gotten a positive response). I even write about today's weather and what the forecast is - then tell about my plans - like a walk in the park this afternoon because it is sunny or that I am staying in by the fireplace because of the snow. I work for the gov't and can not talk about my job on open channels,  but telling someone that has gotten the positive response of "I am so glad that you understand". I have told about my father fighting in WWII and my Marine Corp cousin in Vietnam, and of my friends who are currently serving overseas.

They want to hear about the FUN because it helps them look forward to something they can do when they get home and gives them hope! I just try to make sure that it is all positive. Even when being candid about something with someone I correspond with regularly - when something bad happens like an auto accident, I try to point out the positive solution that I came up with or the lesson learned for next time around. I am just that kind of person anyway, who looks for the good in life and does not dwell on the negative - life is what you make it - everybody has problems - the challenge is to find the solutions and not let life drag you down. ( Sorry, I got off on a tangent there a bit! I'll stop the preaching now!)

Hope this helps a bit anyway!!  One of the guys at work told me that if you sit down with six people and chat some small talk, you will find something in common with at least one of them! I figure that my letters and cards usually don't stop with just one person; that while making the rounds each letter may touch many lives.

     So many good ideas. I'll have to use a few. 

     I work at a farm stand in the summer so I tell them all when the fruits and vegetables that are in season. I have one contact who is reading in my letters about the strawberry season here in NY. One year ago that's one of the first things she heard about. She's coming home in 2 months. She's gone through a complete growing season with me. Tell about the flowers growing in your area. Another thing that's fun to do is, if you have a small town newspaper as I do, I put sticky notes all over it with notes next to restaurants I've tried, maybe an ad about a place I visited, or people I know. She's sent me the Stars and Stripes with a couple notes attached.

     As others have said, it's just another way for the military to stay connected to home. They'll enjoy hearing from you.

I am sure we've all been there once. Describe yourself, ask a few questions. I was watching a documentary on WWII, and it described letters from as, "Even though the letters were weeks old when the Marines got them, it seemed to transport them back to the 'World' for just a few minutes." Keep it simple, you know.  

I'm glad I found this thread. Even though I've written a few letters, it definitely stirs up some other ideas and makes me itch to write some more!

Just thought I'd add that I spoke with a Korean War vet a couple of weeks ago that told me he received 5 letters his whole tour of duty during the war and could still name who they were from!  Needless to say he was happy to get info about AnySoldier.  We forget how much impact we could have with just a card or letter.

Debbie

"What the heck to write?"...  I've been there.  Been writing for a few years now and can still say that sometimes I'm stymied on how to start.   For me, there's usually a topic thread that lives inside me and not too hard to resurrect.  I greatly appreciate that there are men and women who believe in service.  I serve my family, my work, etc.  "My" soldiers go far beyond.  I sit with that, encourage that appreciation inside me.... and I tell them. 

 I'm one who writes about simple things: e.g. the local weather (and how I guess it is different than where they are); what it looks like where I live (and insert pictures).  I tell them what was tough in my job that week, how I was challenged - not dwelling on some fussy problem, but reiterating how thinking of them helped me get my priorities straight, find a solution, and get the job done as I know they also must do.  I tell them what it was like to go the gym in the middle of the night (but I took my courage from them),   I "bring them" with me thorugh my musings, so I relate good that I see around me, reminise old stories, recall present events that illustrate value, and share some of my ordinary life intermingled with how they inspire  priority, diligence, and respect in my tasks.  I tell them how I used my self-determination (today), that I appreciate that ability to choose for myself, how I made mistakes and had the freedom to correct them, to improve, to education mysefl, to work, to dance, to wear a silly hat, to sweat in forms I will tell them and others I will not; and that I value every bit of it.  With the postive feedback recieved, I don't think "ordinary" is so boring. Anyway, as you might imagine, I thank them a great deal.

  I just had new (civilian) personnel join my work group on the job.  They looked around at my bulletin board of warrior pic's and unit photos in my office, remarking that I must have a great many family members in the military.  Without hesitation, I reached toward my current group: "These are "MY" guys", as I expanded to include them all.  "They've got my back, they keep me safe" and explained AnySoldier.com   You bet I let my gratitude show; in my letters too :)   write on. 

 I even tell them about the dumb things I do. One wrote back and told me I remind him of his wife. That she does things like that too. I think that is what it is all about.

I'm in the same boat as the confused newbie...because well, I'm one too. My brother just recently has been deployed to Iraq. Until a few days ago, I had never heard of this site. Hopefully, you can answer some questions for me, and not laugh too much is the questions are silly.  Ok, here goes.  I've written a couple of letters to my brother, and told about home and hay season and such. I included in the envelope a letter to go to "an American Soldier". I'm sure he'll pass it on to someone who's not getting much mail. I thank them for their service and let them know I'm thinking of them. Send my email addy, but mention I don't expect a reply of any kind, but it's an option. Is that correct? If this is a big no no or there is a better way to word things, I would love a reply from you all! Thanks!

I have a client who was a officer in Desert Storm. He received care packages on a regular basis from his family and friends. But he said that the feeling he got when he received a letter from a total stranger or from school children was for him, indescribable...somewhere between shock and elation. The mere fact that someone at home, who didn't know him from Adam, hadn gone to the trouble to obtain his address, and then sat down and wrote a letter, made him feel that someone other than his family and friends cared. We talk on the phone weekly, and once in a while he will bring up the subject of my care packages and then he'll start talking about the letters he received from total strangers during his time there. It's a memory that he cherishes and will alway stay with him.

I don't think you should worry too much about what you write. I think they would be interested for a glimpse of home through your perspective. And the fact that you took the time to write shows you care and sometimes, that's what's most important.