Forgotten Soldiers: Communicate with Your Loved Ones

Imagine being in a war, a foreign country for 6 or more months, having no connection to America besides your fellow soldiers. Every day at mail call you listen intently, but have yet to hear your name. With discouragement you go about your day thinking perhaps tomorrow will be my day. As the days pass, you come to the realization that those you know at home have all but forgotten you are thousands of miles away and hope vanishes that your name will be called. You quit listening to the endless list of names that seem to be called every day. You try to ignore the sound of envelopes being ripped open and you try not to be jealous of those around you that pass around the box of goodies from home to share with those that have been forgotten. Then out of the blue, you hear your name. You automatically think you are imagining things, and then the officer calls it out again. A new sense of hope, of love, of faith has been restored. Your day has finally come, it matters not who the letter is from or what the words inside say, it just matters that your name has finally been called, that you have not been forgotten.

An article, from the Rocky Mountain Newspaper, was posted at my church on Sunday that discussed our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was surprised to learn that as many as 30% of them do not receive any mail from their friends and families here at home. I was distressed at the fact that many of these young men and women are fighting for our country, our safety, our freedom and those who know them do not even take the time to drop a quick line or two. Having traveled extensively for fun, I know how nice it was to hear from home and have a connection to what my family and friends were up to. I cannot imagine how much more important this connection is when you are living and working in a war-torn country, dealing with death and destruction on a daily basis.

I began to wonder why these loved ones are not sending mail or care packages to these soldiers. Surely it is not out of a lack of respect for what they are doing; for despite your opinions on the war, we have to respect those that are there fighting for us and know that they are merely doing their job.

Perhaps it is simply naivety as to what to say or what to send. These men and women are encountering difficulties and stresses that are far beyond what the average American experiences on a daily basis. Talking about the weather, what special events have been attended, or what new places there are to hang out may seem overtly trivial in comparison. But perhaps that is just what these soldiers need to escape from their reality for a brief moment.

Is it an "out of sight, out of mind" syndrome? Maybe these families and friends do not realize how important a quick note is to those so disconnected with them. The hours, days, and weeks pass quickly here at home; but imagine being in Iraq, I am sure time does not pass being from home in a different world from what these young people know.

Plausibly it is a lack of effort. Writing a letter, shopping for and assembling a care package, going to the post office; it all takes time and effort on our part. Considering the amount that these soldiers have given up, the least we could do is drop a quick line or send a goodie box with candies, cookies, and soft drinks, maybe adding that something special for a far away soldier.

Are we just indifferent? Do we not care or appreciate these people that are giving up their lives to make sure ours remain the same? Do we feel that it is easier to forget than actively remember our loved ones are far away with danger lurking at every corner? Do we realize that these soldiers may not come home and may not know that we care for them and appreciate all they have done for us?

While some may not have a friend or family member in the military, we can still do our job to support these soldiers. Many non-profit organizations have popped up with the intent to ensure these soldiers know we, collectively as a nation, care about them. Even without a personal relationship with a soldier, you can do your part to ensure every person's name rings loud and clear during mail call, giving hope, connection, and affirmation.

We all had pen pals in school, now is the time to put those letter writing skills into practice and send quick notes to a soldier overseas. No profound thoughts, poems, or ideas are required, just a sincere thank you will do; a note about who you are and why you care.

You can give that sense of hope, of love, of faith to one of our hardworking soldiers who desperately wants to hear their name called. The following organizations can get you in touch with a soldier. They are www.adoptaussoldier.org, www.americasupportsyou.mil, www.soldierangels.org, www.adoptaplatoon.org. Do your part today for our soldiers and let them know they are appreciated!