Here is a quote from one of my Free Mail letters: "It's always nice to know that a complete stranger is thinking about you halfway across the world.  Things are busy here, and we don't have a lot of spare time but it makes the time go by quick."

 Here is a quote from another one of my Free Mail letters: "I just wanted to write you and let you know that all your support was greatly appreciated.  All I can offer is our deepest thanks and know we will continue to fight for people just like you and your family.  It is nice to hear from you as well.  It helps to bring my morale up and gives me a feeling that lets me know my efforts  here are not going in vain.  It makes me realize what I need to do to make this country continue being the greatest in history."

I just wanted to report that we received our very first free mail thank you card that used a "Cards for Heroes" card.  It was a happy spring card and came from Camp Taji from a female contact that we have been supporting.  I thought that the envelope looked strange, but tore into it like a crazy person, and looked at it after reading the card, and noticed that there was no sign of a post mark on it.  It looked naked without a stamp or post mark.  All it had was a bar code at the bottom.

 Gran, that's odd! lol. I can't believe the PO still delivered it with nothing in that corner. Either way---YAY for happy mail!

Today I received a letter from a soldier that received one of my letters (he's not the contact).  He responded to that first letter, and I have written him several times since then.  In his letter he shared with me about him and his wife expecting their first child.  So, some ladies in my office and I decided we wanted to send him something for his baby.  Since we were sending this to the middle of a sand box, we knew it needed to be something small and light weight as not to make it a burden on the soldier to keep up with till he went home on R & R.  We mailed him two small pink baby afghans the first of March (he had indicated he'd be home sometime in April for R & R).  In his letter today he thanked me for the Afghans.  He mentioned he had not told his wife, because he wanted to surprise her. 

Then the soldier also shared that they were "getting hit everyday" and that two of his best friends had just gotten back from the hospital.  They also lost their LT and he requested prayers for the family.  He indicated that they were still receiving my care packages and that they were coming at good times.  He sent everyones thank yous. 

I was so excited to receive "FREE MAIL" today and then broken hearted to read about their current situation and then brought back up when he mentioned the gift we had sent him and told me some about his wife and daughter.  What an emotional roller coaster, and I'm only reading about it.  Tomorow another package goes in the mail to these guys! ! !

Please say a special prayer for Wendall, his fellow soldiers and the LT who has paid the ultimate sacrifice! 

Christie that is an emotional roller coaster.  Will keep your soldiers in my prayers.

I hadn't received mail from a number of new contacts and was starting to worry that my boxes had not been received or I messed something up.  Then two of my new contacts named me in there 'Thank you'  when they updated the AS site.  Was thrilled to know the boxes made it and were useful.  It's so exciting to make them smile.

Anna

 I always mark the "forward" box on the form so it goes to the chaplain. That way if my contact isn't there for some reason it still goes to someone to be used. At least someone will get to enjoy it. When the war first started I sent a BIG box to a Marine from here in our town. Believe it or not he was home on leave three months later when my box showed up on our door step. Now I always make sure it goes to the Chaplain so someone can use it..  Kay in Nebr.

I got free mail today

I got the ladies in my office to participate in one of the card swaps.  Since then we have continued to pass cards around, sometimes I include them in the card swaps and other times I'll place the cards in a care package.  We pass each card around until it is full of well wishes for the troops.  So, today I got a letter from a Captain that received the card from one of "my contacts."  He was no nice and specifically named each lady in his letter who had signed the card .  You should have seen the smiling faces around the office this morning as I passed that card around   

I hit the jackpot on free mail.  I received Free Mail 3 days in a row & each letter contained a list of items they would like me to send in my next box.  I had only received 1 Free Mail before receiving this group of letters. Not sure what was more exciting, the fact I got Free Mail or the fact they listed items they wished to receive. 

Anna

Anna-

Anything on the list that was surprising to you? Maybe something our "silent soldiers" would like but are afraid to ask for?

I could feel your excitment!

have a great day-

diggerdeb 

Hi DiggerDeb,

The main thing I learned from the two females was there desire to feel feminine.  Fragrant lotions and body wash was requested by both women along with air freshners.   One lady said that shower time was a there time to feel special and escape from where they were.  The male soldier was basically telling me which items in the boxes I sent that they would like to receive again. 

Sorry, no big discovery.

Anna

Thanks Anna.

Last month I sent a "care package for your feet". It had foot powder, socks, shower shoes, insole pads, corn pads, clippers, etc.

I get about one email per week from my contact. He is still commenting about how wonderful that box was and how important the stuff is and he continues to use it.

The next time I am asked about a school (or group) collection I think I will tell them about the need for foot care and have folks donate "anything involving feet!"

Deb, I only had a few things mentioned. Beef Jerky-Loved it!!. Dunkin donuts French Vanilla coffee and lotions sent in a female box.

A bible from Afghanistan!!!  Can you imagine my leap of joy when I received a bible from a chaplain in Afghanistan!!  The bible was a thank you and had been carried on a mission to COP Curry to minister to the soldiers there. Not only that, on the inside page of the Bible it was noted the date it was carried...My Birthday! (not known to the chaplain then, but I am writing him back and will most definately tell him!)....Also amazing is that it arrived..today..just when I was feeling anger and fear over my husband losing his job.....There was quite the heartfelt letter also sent and it speaks to all junkies...I quote:

"W J Camron once said, "Thanksgiving is,after all, a word of action"...I want to thank you for being a person of action, for gathering books, food, hygiene stuff, school supplies, toys and beanies,  and lots of other great things and pushing them forward to us Soldiers overseas. They are greatly appreciated and greatly needed. It's not just the great stuff that we receive in these packages, it's knowing that someone took the time and effort to gather these things together,  package them up and send them off. The Army gives us soldiers what we need to fight and survive. but boosting morale, making life a little more enjoyable,and  reminding us why we are over here, all benefits greatly from little signs of support from home. Letters and care packages are precious and I thank you on behalf of my soldiers for brightening their day."........"In doing so you are an important part of our team,and are helping to improve the world thousands of miles away. Thank you for your effort and support"........"Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, for we are daily in need of God's blessings and protection., and know that we are praying for all of you back home as well, that God blesses your lives with grace and strengthens you in His peace."..."Thank you, thank you thank you for your support and prayers and thank you for thinking about us and making a difference in our lives."...

Yes, I had tears rolling down my face...~~sigh~~....aren't our military guys just something else!!!....not to mention all you junkies out there that support them!!............. 

WOW!!!!