My Soldier

I have an "adopted" soldier that is stationed just outside of Baghdad. We've never met and yet, I consider him to be a good friend. I've written at least one letter a week and sent two care packages a month for the past 8 months and he writes when he can. Some of his letters are happy, some are scary, and some of them are filled with the horrors of war that he can't share with his family.

I received a letter from him recently that really touched me and brought tears to my eyes. Normally, I wouldn't share something like this but in the hopes that maybe this will lead someone else to "adopt" a soldier far away from home in need of support, I'm breaking my own rule of privacy. Any confidential information has been deleted and I've edited anything that I felt was too personal and would be disrespectful to share.

"It means a lot to me whenever I receive a letter from you. There have been days when you feel down and you just want to say forget it all. I must admit how supportive you've been has made this war easier. Alot of my co-workers are amazed at how dedicated you are about writing me and wish their Soldier's Angel was you. (smile)

It seems more and more soldiers die each day. A question I know that can't be answered is, "When will it end?" I sat on the flight to *****, took off my gear, and inserted my ear plugs. I looked to my right and I saw 3 boxes covered with a US flag. There were 3 dead soldiers on the flight being transported to the US and it really bothered me to see this because all I can think is how can you tell a mother, wife, child, or friend that your loved one has been killed. Things like that replay in my mind constantly.

Well, take care and God bless, and again, thank you for all you have been to me."

I want to thank Lindsey for telling me all about the Soldier's Angels program and I want to encourage anyone who has time to write some letters and send some love from home to check out this awesome program. http://www.soldiersangels.org/

Have a great week!