Any Soldier

As an Army wife, I have suffered through a deployment, and will do so again. I also have close friends and family that are serving our country, and have gone through deployments. Some have not come home. No matter what our political views are, we should fully support those that are in our armed forces.

When my husband and brother-in-law were deployed (yes, at the same time), I would send them care packages about twice a month, sometimes more. My brother-in-law told me about the website, anysoldier.com. It allows you to get the address of a solider, marine, airman or seaman to send a care package to. I must have sent dozens of  care packages to soldiers. Many are in locations cut off from the main FOBs, so they would ask for things like hygiene products. I would also send snacks and thank-you cards, and if it was around a holiday, some sort of trinket that was related. I also would send out books and manga that I had that I would never read again - but were good books.

I would recommend anyone who has a few extra dollars to spare, to check out this website, and help out a soldier in need. The only thing that you cannot send, unless the soldier knows you, is anything home cooked. There are plenty of crazed yahoos that want to hurt those serving our country, so even though you may make the best peanut brittle this side of the Mississippi, don't send it. It will most likely be thrown away.

You can order through the postal service these boxes, or go straight to the office in town and pick a few up. It only costs about $12 a box (it is the same as a large flat rate box, but limited to 70pounds. Not like that is really limiting), and the declarations form is easy to fill out. I ask anyone and everyone to do this at least once. Remembering the stories of what my husband and brother-in-law have been through, a little box of goodies will truly put a smile on their face. Some even write back.

This post inspired by Instead of the Dishes. As well as Rediscovering Domesticity.