[2Jedismom]

I am reminded of a girl that I was her "secret sister" in church. She didn't know who I was, but I would have things like candy and pizza delivered to the school where she went to high school. It tickled her to death, people noticed and were interested in why she got the items and she had things to share with others.

Now I think about this when I send items to a soldier. Something to satisfy them physically (food, knife), and emotionally, (a nice encouraging letter). But I also want to have others notice the guy...set the guy apart for just a bit.

I think it must be some basic human desire to give. We give the care packages, the soldier gives away the moonpies and candy and in the process gets a little extra attention and (can I say fondness or would cameraderie be a better word) from his friends.

I think of these things when I make up a package...how far on several levels will this package affect the soldier and those around him.

Does any of this make a lick of sense?

[SuziQ]

Oh, it makes perfect sense! It always makes us feel good when we can share something of ours with someone else. How much greater that must feel when you're so far from home!

[Wneighbor]

Does any of this make a lick of sense?

Makes perfect sense! One of the reasons I loved sending to Tom so much is that I know what a generous guy he is. I knew he would give away that stuff and get such joy out of it!

[300winmag]

I think of these things when I make up a package...how far on several levels will this package affect the soldier and those around him.

Exactly. We're operating on faith, at a certain level. We'll never know how much good we accomplished. We can only do what we can with the time that's given to us. (Where have I heard that before).

A bunch of us got pinged to another topic here, which had this URL for something very interesting. I wonder if we should look into it.

tiny American pocket flags

The only thing that gives me pause it the triangular shape the flag is folded into. While that's the proper way to store a flag, I also remember it from receiving the flag from my father's coffin.