[TonyWojo]

I just adopted a soldier yesterday myself. I went home last night and informed my wife and (2) sons ages 17 and 18, that each of them needed to write a letter to a total stranger. After informing them of why and that I adopted a soldier they were excited.

Brandon the younger one will fill him in on all the football scores and highlights. Matt will critique all of the latest movies. My mother-in-law found out and will probably write weekly. I was going to record (VHS) a few local news broadcasts, and ESPN sports news to hopefully give some updates, and copy some news headlines,like the Michael Jackson story.

What we are buying to send for Xmas is gum, nuts, beef jerky, sweetened kool-aid. Cards, Yahtzee, some magazines, tooth paste tooth brush, etc.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for your service, and for sharing your stories...teaching us civilians.

Most of us are clueless about what it means to serve in a war zone far from home. Worse, we learned about the military from the same media sources that bring us "war news" today.

Passing this on to the press, and fellow clueless civilian Americans.

[Eagle Eye]

Football news can be real important to the guys. The time zone differences make it hard to watch games even when there is a tv available at the MWR or equivalent facilty. The Stars and Stripes won't give adequste coverage and is usually a few days late.

Most troops don't have easy access to email or phones. The lines are long and the time online is precious.

Magazines are nice if possible. The supply at the PX never lasts for long.

Having teens write will be good, since there are things that they will have in common more than guys my age would.

As someone else mentioned, write without expecting responses. Not all GI's are real good writers and don't always feel comfortable writing back.

The important thing is for them to have their name on the list or called at mail call. There is alway something special about hearing "You have mail!"

Thanks for helping take care of the troops.

[VOA]

I went home last night and informed my wife and (2) sons ages 17 and 18, that
each of them needed to write a letter to a total stranger.

Excellent!
I suspect that your sons will learn more trying to compose and write those
letters than they'd get out of a Freshman English Composition class at most
Ivy League schools.