Posted on 10/10/2006 3:10:22 AM PDT by Tinman
Since arriving "in country" a little over eight months ago, I've had the chance to spend time on five different bases, I've met people from every state and from, at least, a dozen other countries.
(Allow me an aside here. Regardless of what the MSM would have the folks back home believe, there really is a "multi-national" force over here. I seen and met troops from; UK, Austrailia, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Poland, Macedonia, and Albania. These are just the ones that I've had personal contact with, I know there are others.)
To get back on topic; One thing that is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of anyone in this diverse group of people (soldier and civilian alike) is...Mail from HOME! Getting e-mail is nice but it doesn't compare to receiving a card or letter, via snail mail, that you can keep in your pocket and re-read as many times as you like, knowing it has a bit more of a personal touch from the person that sent it. And, to receive a "box"?! Oh happy day! Many times I've seen adult men and women walking away from the mailroom or APO, grinning from ear to ear and their only comment may be, "I got a BOX!".
If any of you FReepers are saying, "I would be happy to send something but I don't know anyone who's serving or working over there." Don't be so sure. As I've already stated, there are people from every state over here, from our largest cities to our smallest towns. Where is that young fellow who mowed lawns or shoveled snow, in your neighborhood, a couple of years ago? Heard from that nice girl who used to babysit your kids,lately? Ask around, you might be surprised. I've seen handmade cards from grade schoolers, posted in the dining hall that had simply been addressed "To Any Soldier".
What's the big entertainment over here? DVD's, CD's, and video games. News from HOME is what everyone really craves. Current magazines are also nice but be careful, do not mail anything that could be considered "pornographic", by local standards.
With that sole caution, I say to you all, "Get writing!"
Regards to you all,
Tinman
My best to you and yours.
Care Packages for our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan 2006
Information on how to send care packages is posted at posts 31, 32, and 49.
I'm currently fighting a computer that is on the fritz, so won't be on line much for another 4-5 days.
Regards
Regards
L
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