Post by tjay on Jan 16, 2016 15:55:42 GMT -6
Writing Letters to the Military on an Ongoing Basis
Writing to a member of the armed forces can encourage him or her significantly. Here are some helpful tips for finding and writing pen pals in the military.
Having military pen pal is a practical way to help someone in need, regardless of how the writer views their country's war efforts. In a time when wars abroad are often forgotten or overlooked, many soldiers receive little mail or personal encouragement. But mailing a soldier costs only the price of a regular stamp and a little time. A quick note is an easy and affordable way to lift someone's spirits while they otherwise struggle in a difficult situation.
There are some important things to keep in mind when writing to military personnel. Whether writing to the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard the following ideas will help anyone interested in encouraging a service person as a pen pal.
Find a Soldier Pen Pal
The best way to find a military pen pal is to ask family and friends for recommendations. Most communities know of someone serving overseas. Members of a common organization or place of worship might be good resources.
They should be sure to get permission from their military friend or family member before giving out an address. Once an address is received, it should be kept confidential.
Certain non-profit organizations can also help to set writers up with pen pals. Soldiers' Angels is one well-known organization with a letter-writing campaign. While they require that writers write a different soldier each week, it is also acceptable to write more than once to the soldiers provided, as long as the weekly quota is also met. Soldiers' Angels and other organizations can also provide soldiers for "adoption," which can be a worthwhile family project.
What to Write to a Soldier
When writing a soldier, upbeat letters are usually appreciated. The writer can share his or her family news and personal interests, and should not feel uncomfortable talking about everyday activities. Many soldiers enjoy a reminder of what life is like "back home" and appreciate stories about the holidays, family activities and funny events. Pictures and drawings can also help lighten up the letter. It is a good idea to ask them about things they and their unit miss from home if the writer is interested in sending a care package.
Having a pen pal in the military can be unpredictable. Not all soldiers will be able to write back, and it is wise not to pressure them to do so. But including an email address and/or a stamped and addressed return envelope might encourage them to write back when they can. For other soldiers, writing back and forth is a great diversion for them, and can lead to more letters from the service person than from the civilian.
Having Military Pen Pals can Build a Friendship
One of the main reasons for finding a pen pal through friends or family is so that the writer knows he or she is writing someone trustworthy and accountable. Because of that trust, having a connection to the soldier can also help to develop a stronger friendship than with a more anonymous pen pal. The writer can receive updates from the soldier's family or friends, can honor the soldier when he or she arrives home, and can continue the correspondence if the pen pal is redeployed.
But even if the writer never knew the soldier before first writing, writing to a soldier can eventually mean sending care packages that are specially assembled for their unit. And, without giving away the confidential address, the pen pal relationship allows other people back home the opportunity to add their letters and gifts to the package.
Writing to a member of the armed forces can encourage him or her significantly. Here are some helpful tips for finding and writing pen pals in the military.
Having military pen pal is a practical way to help someone in need, regardless of how the writer views their country's war efforts. In a time when wars abroad are often forgotten or overlooked, many soldiers receive little mail or personal encouragement. But mailing a soldier costs only the price of a regular stamp and a little time. A quick note is an easy and affordable way to lift someone's spirits while they otherwise struggle in a difficult situation.
There are some important things to keep in mind when writing to military personnel. Whether writing to the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard the following ideas will help anyone interested in encouraging a service person as a pen pal.
Find a Soldier Pen Pal
The best way to find a military pen pal is to ask family and friends for recommendations. Most communities know of someone serving overseas. Members of a common organization or place of worship might be good resources.
They should be sure to get permission from their military friend or family member before giving out an address. Once an address is received, it should be kept confidential.
Certain non-profit organizations can also help to set writers up with pen pals. Soldiers' Angels is one well-known organization with a letter-writing campaign. While they require that writers write a different soldier each week, it is also acceptable to write more than once to the soldiers provided, as long as the weekly quota is also met. Soldiers' Angels and other organizations can also provide soldiers for "adoption," which can be a worthwhile family project.
What to Write to a Soldier
When writing a soldier, upbeat letters are usually appreciated. The writer can share his or her family news and personal interests, and should not feel uncomfortable talking about everyday activities. Many soldiers enjoy a reminder of what life is like "back home" and appreciate stories about the holidays, family activities and funny events. Pictures and drawings can also help lighten up the letter. It is a good idea to ask them about things they and their unit miss from home if the writer is interested in sending a care package.
Having a pen pal in the military can be unpredictable. Not all soldiers will be able to write back, and it is wise not to pressure them to do so. But including an email address and/or a stamped and addressed return envelope might encourage them to write back when they can. For other soldiers, writing back and forth is a great diversion for them, and can lead to more letters from the service person than from the civilian.
Having Military Pen Pals can Build a Friendship
One of the main reasons for finding a pen pal through friends or family is so that the writer knows he or she is writing someone trustworthy and accountable. Because of that trust, having a connection to the soldier can also help to develop a stronger friendship than with a more anonymous pen pal. The writer can receive updates from the soldier's family or friends, can honor the soldier when he or she arrives home, and can continue the correspondence if the pen pal is redeployed.
But even if the writer never knew the soldier before first writing, writing to a soldier can eventually mean sending care packages that are specially assembled for their unit. And, without giving away the confidential address, the pen pal relationship allows other people back home the opportunity to add their letters and gifts to the package.
to figure this all out! lol
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