Hi. I'm new to the program, and I have a couple questions.

If I want to write to my contact himself/herself, should I just use the contact address and NOT write "ATTN:Anysoldier" under their name? For instance, if my contact was 'Sgt Smith', who has been passing along my mail to his soldiers, but this time I want to write to Sgt Smith personally, is leaving out the "Anysoldier" designation the best way of letting him know the mail is for him?

Also, if I write a letter that is intended to be passed along to any soldier in a company, will he/she receive the letter in the envelope with the contact's name on it? Or will the envelope be opened and then the letter passed along?

 Thanks a lot!

hi jason. welcome. glad you're here.  i'm new myself but my understanding is if it's for the contact himself leave off the anysoldier.  as far as letters or cards to someone else just write anysoldier on the outside of the individual envelope and the contact will give it to someone in his platoon.   va girl

Welcome Jason.   I agree:  if you want (e.g.) SGT Smith to know the mail is specifically for him, address it to "SGT Smith" without the "AnySoldier".  If your letter can be received by any soldier, including the "AnySoldier' on the outside of the envelope is a big help.  Although mail may be handled differently (in different companies), these guys & gals don't have a lot of administrative time. 

I've received responses to letters addressed to:  "AnySoldier" that have gotten passed along un-opened until placed in the hands of warriors quite remote from the original FOB.   I've had responses back from "AnySoldier" letters that were opened and posted on unit bulletin boards for soldiersl to read.  Sometimes letters with envelopes addressed to "AnySoldier" are opened by one crew member then passed along. I know, because I'd get multiple responses from the group, remarking on it. And,  I've wrote to one NCO that would open my letters (addressed to him, but with saluation to him & crew) and he'd read them to his platoon as a group (then pass the letter around), which was his preference.  I've written to officers who requested letters from me addressed to "AnySoldier" because he personally wanted to give them out (so I'm a glutton, I would write to him and include letters addressed to "AnySoldier").  And, I've had responses where the letter writer stated, "I really enjoyed your letter, I think you sent it to my buddy" and I had no idea who that "bud" was. 

As you can see, I've been writing for some time.  In response, I've felt very well treated and for me, I'm very happy they hear my good will.  I should comment that I've written plenty of "AnySoldier" (addressed) letters & and warrior-specific letters without having had a response. In my memory I bless those as well as the responses received as I know they are all so busy.  Good luck to you, I hope you enjoy your writing very much.    

This is from an old thread. A post by Marty Horn. You are supposed to use Attn: Any Soldier on ALL correspondence with a contact you got from this site.

I agree, AnySoldier should be on all the correspondence....not only for Marty's good reasoning, but it makes sure anyone who touches that envelope or box (who may never have heard of AnySoldier) sees that on there! I even add the .com so that people might go check out the site. :-)

I do, though, include a stack of letters in each box, and they're all for AnySoldier (or Marine, etc) except one---I put a letter specifically for the contact in there. Sometimes I wonder if they just hand the box on to someone, does that letter ever make it back to them, but I figure whatever happens to it was meant to be!

 Surely y'all didn't fail to note the wording "You WILL include the line "ATTN: Any Soldier" on all mail..." where you request the address? The only time I have EVER sent a letter without that line is when someone other than the contact has responded to a package or letter, then I write to that particular soldier without the "any soldier" line, which is permissible because that shows the program is working as intended...a warrior who wasn't getting mail got whatever it was I sent, and now has a connection to someone who cares. I continue sending to the original contact, with the "att'n: any soldier" line, and to the new person as well.

That's certainly how my own writing list has expanded.  That, and warriors specifically asking if they could pass my name to their buddy.  AS has been the best concept, best program I've been involved with. 

i know and love the fact that this was set up for our military that don't get mail but does that mean that if you want to thank the contact person that you can't send something with just his or her name on it?  they hand the stuff out they receive.

 just wondering     va girl

Folks, If you want to contact ONLY the contact, then leave off the ATTN line.

No harm, no problem.

 I have a different question, I hope this isn't a repeat, but I haven't been able to find an answer to it.

What do you include in your letters? Do you include pictures, newspaper articles...?  I don't know, I feel like I should include something other than my letter, I know I don't have to, but I really want to.

Any suggestions?

Carly,

I usually just send a letter, no extras except for the Guardian Angel card I send to all our Warriors. However, I have at times included pictures of the grandkids, or pictures of something I thought was pretty (changing colors in the fall, the first daffodils in the spring, our first snowfall) It's entirely up to you. Our troops enjoy letters, with or without extras!

Hi Carly,

 There is no right or wrong to this...you can do whatever makes you comfortable.  Sometimes I send photos of my dog, me or patriotic scenes around town.  I send comics sometimes and newspaper clippings that are funny or uplifting.  If you know the contact's likes, you can target him with say sports articles about his favorite team or fishing or hunting or motorcycles.  I even bought a cheap Calvin and Hobbes book and tear out a page at a time to mail to some contacts.  Sometimes I look for a musical card or a funny greeting card to send.  And sometimes I just send the letter.  Anything goes!  Seems like the warm wishes from a caring person at home is the most important part.

 Kathy 

Since NFL & NCAA FB seasons have started, every week I print/write the scores from that week & send to each of my groups. I also write on these pages the latest NASCAR results and MLB playoff results(those seasons will soon be done)....also lately the NHL and soon I will include the NBA standings.....soon also the college BKB season will begin. I think most all the guys and some of the ladies like to keep up with their teams---pro and college.

I have written letters and included all the news about my kids activities.  I can't imagine that is entertaining for anyone, but no one has complained so far.  I talk about the leaves changing and well, just about everything.  My kids draw pictures.  I send local newspapers so they can keep up on the news too. 

I have developed contacts from the packages saying thank you and ...you can write me if you want...I have never turned one down yet!