BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?

Subject: BS: What do you write to a soldier?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:24 PM

My cousin's son joined the Marines and is now serving in Iraq. She recently gave me his mailing addy and email addy. I was a little nonplussed when she did so, as I don't really know him, having only seen him a handful of times over the years. I think she was probably doing it as a mom who wanted her kid to hear from as many folks back home as possible, though she didn't say that. She and I are not close except we are the only cousin either has who was born the same year, so we've been somewhat close over the years. We talk on the phone once in awhile, but have never lived near one another.

I started to write him an email, today, and I don't know what to write. I really don't want to get into why he is there and my feelings about our government and what I consider to be a horrible mistake of a war. The weather seems to banal. I can't think of any common reference point to bring up. I started to say I support the troops but don't agree with our government, but that sounded patronising.

Any ideas of what to say? Or, should i just forget it and leave to those who know him better?

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: DougR
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:32 PM

Tell him you thank him for his service to his country and you pray he will return home safely.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: GUEST,Ex-Soldier Boy.
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:33 PM

Kats, Tell him that the Iraq people are human beings not to be murdered with impunity, the latest British Army inquiry was another whitewash.
Bush and his cronies should burn in hell for the destruction and death they have been guilty of in Iraq.
Home is where your nephew should be, safer for him and the people of Iraq.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Becca72
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:34 PM

My best suggestion would be if you don't know him well to introduce yourself and tell him about your family. Ask questions about him and his family..talk about where you each grew up...etc. Keep it light. He's got enough heavy shit to worry about already. I would keep your opinions about the war out of it...he's there to do his job and had no choice (except for not joining up, of course). Just my 2 cents.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Megan L
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:36 PM

Kat dont tell him any of that stupid crap just talk to him about family stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Megan L
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:37 PM

sorry Becca cross posted you put it so much politer than I managed but i am tired :)

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:41 PM

I'd try to tiptoe around the political issues, avoid mentioning it as much as possible and certainly not dwelling on it. You can hope and pray for his safety and prompt return home without saying much of anything either for or against his role as a Marine.

You say you don't know your cousin very intimately, so you probably are not well enough acquainted with her son to know his (other) interests. Too bad; if you could discuss music, educational plans, sports, anything, that would probably be the most comfortable both for you and for him.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:42 PM

I got letters (dead tree version) from strangers when I was in Korea. It was a good assignment, but it was a different country with different customs, and it was good to hear from folk from my 'home' country.

It's comforting to hear about small things: the weather and what the winter's like, local happenings - the usual small-talk subjects. Ask him how he's doing. All you're really doing is reaching out a hand, and not everything needs to be in a first message. He may not feel like corresponding, but if he does, you'll get an idea of what to write about.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Wesley S
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:43 PM

Why NOT talk about the weather. It's bound to be cooler where you are. And keep him posted on non-political local news. Local high school and college sports scores too.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:54 PM

Thank you, folks. That gives me some really good ideas. I think part of my reluctance is I know he comes from a much different background than I and writing about family and fav. activities might get a bit uncomfortable. Weather I can do, along with things which happen in the community. Maybe I'll write to him about his grandma, my fav. aunt, who died a few years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 06:04 PM

Just let him know someone back here cares about him. News of the family, the community, and so forth. Keep it light.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 07:00 AM

Home stuff, light stuff, pretty brief to start. If he wants to begin an e-mail dialogue with you, let him initiate it. At all costs, remember that "support the troops" isn't the same as "support the war".

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 07:14 AM

Wish him and his fellow Marines well for his tour and for a safe return. Ask him if there is anything from "home" that he or any of his friends needs, these often turn out to be really small and what appear to be really silly things, but receiving then makes a tremendous difference. Stay completely away from politics, I've never known one single serving sailor, soldier or airman that was ever interested in the subject. News from home and family is always well received.

I for one appreciate the job he is doing and wish him well.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 07:35 AM

What a difficult and sensitive situation.

I'm sure nobody in their right mind would regard that Guest, Ex-Soldier Boy's suggestions were meant to be taken literally but rather a sincere expression of what many people regard to be an illegal war and disgust with the treatment and deaths of civilian detainees.

However, I'm sure that I would find it very difficult to keep my feelings about some of the atrocities of this action totally at bay while making small talk about the weather and distant relatives and I appreciate your dilemma.

Personally I think that I would be as honest as possible about my reasons for writing - a request for a gesture of personal support for a family member in a foreign land - and leave him to suggest what form he would like that 'support' to take from little parcels of favourite magazines, candies etc to local news or even more emotional content.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 10:24 AM

Don't talk politics. He's more worried about staying alive and coming home in one piece and that will distract him. As I said, stay light, provide family and community news, ask if he needs anything (besides orders to go home) and send what you can.

As Artbrooks said, supporting the troops doesn't mean supporting the war OR the gang in the White HOuse.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 11:17 AM

Thanks, again, folks. I did think to write that I support him while I do not support our government, but, as I said, that felt wrong, esp. in a first missive.

guest, ex-soldier, I hear you and agree, but I would NOT want to cause him any strife over politics, esp. while he is there. I don't want him distracted and losing his wits over something i might have said.

Thanks, my friends,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: GUEST,hg
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 11:22 AM

Tell him you thank him for his service to his country and you pray he will return home safely.

I agree with dougr

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Tweed
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 08:32 AM

Send some oatmeal cookies, talk the weather, as it's cold over there too, especially at night. My daughter in law is there and she says it's freezing and even snowed some in Bagdad last week or week before.

They can't talk about how screwed up the govt is, or anything about Bush, so don't even go there as they've taken the Oath and you'll put him at a disadvantage. He doesn't need to be reminded about how screwed it is, as him and his buddies are paying for our mistake of letting this unfold as it has. They know better than anyone how screwed it is

Internet connections are frequently shut off to the troops, especially if something big is going down or if weird stuff has happened, so if you don't hear back keep on writing with the knowledge that the kid is reading your stuff and that he's glad to know that somebody cares enough to write. Keep them connected to back home, Iraq is another planet and they need to remember that it ain't the only reality.

Write him a story and stay upbeat! He ain't a stranger, he's yore kin, take care of him Girl! ;~)

Tweed

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 08:40 AM

I agree with Becca - talk to him about family. Having read your book you are a very good descriptive writer - use your talent to tell him about life in your part of the world.

As Teribus suggests, see if there is anything that you could send him.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 10:08 AM

Thanks, Jacqui! I appreciate your comments about my book.:-)

Tweeddarlin'...thanks, it helps to hear from those who have someone over there or, like Jeri, who have been in a similar situation.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Tweed
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 10:37 AM

Yore welcome Mz.Katma'am!

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 11:13 AM

A promise for sanctuary if they desert?

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 12:04 PM

Keep well clear of politics and stick to the domestic. As for Red Cross parcels. depending on his posting he'll either be eating Burger King until it comes out of his ears or subsisting on disgusting MRE's. Either way, spices - jerk seasoning and the like - chilli sauce, Tabasco and garlic always go down well.
I'd also suggest Marmite and Lee & Perrins, but the USMC might see those as chemical warfare!

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Janie
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 06:44 PM

And I think people like Art and Rap are speaking from their own experiences of being in the military also.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: GUEST,John Gray in Oz
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 09:50 AM

Ask him to describe the town / region he is in. What is grown or made there. Does he get a chance to speak to the locals - are they different from media comment. Are the locals friendly or otherwise. Is he picking up some Iraqi phrases. What's the food like ( always important to servicemen / women ) What facilities do they have for recreation.
No need to tell him what the weather is. They'll have it 24/7 on CNN.

JG / Ex-VietNam.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 04:48 PM

While we're on the subject, can anyone recommend a good place for someone WILLING to write to find someone who WANTS mail?

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Emma B
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 04:52 PM

Guest, not certain if this is the sort of thing you have in mind?

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: bet
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 03:39 PM

Kat, I know Cindy was being a Mom when she asked you to write. Working here on base I meet lots of parents who have been or are going to Iraq. Leave politics out!
The people I am in contact with really like being thanked. They like to hear about family things. To write about Grandma or Aunt Margret and your own memories would be good.
What is wrong about asking his choice of music or movies? then next time you could have something else to write about. They have been to Becka and Priss's house and they visited with me a time or two so you could fill them in on the today family also.
A nice thing might to be to ask if he needs anything. It is AMAZING what they do not have
and can not get.   I'd be gald to send things if I knew what he needed. Then I would be sending to someone I know not someone on the   "any soldier" sight.
bet

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 04:33 PM

Hey, bet, thanks, Sis! I didn't think about him having seen much of any of the family...I guess 'cause we were back east so much of his growing up time. I'll email you his address. And, will definitely keep politics out of it! Thanks a bunch.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 04:00 PM

Thought you all might like to read an update on this. I took all of the good advice received and did write to my cousin's son. It took quite awhile for a reply (he explains why); I just received this a few days ago. He is supposed to be home by Mother's Day. I don't think he'd mind my sharing with you:

Thank you for the email. It is good to hear from you I think the last time I saw you was in Rifle Colorado quite a while ago. Well I am doing well here and am getting excited to go home. Sorry it took me so long to respond to your email. We are usually pretty busy and it is kind of a hassle for me to get online. I am stationed in Fallujah on the South part of the base and it is usually an hour or so journey to get to the mainside of the base where the Internet is. Then we usually have to wait in a line to use, so my Internet access is rare.

The weather here is starting to get pretty warm. We have had the past few days at about or over 100. Today it was really windy and dusty all day. It is starting to get pretty warm here and will only get warmer, so I am glad that I am at the end of my deployment so that I won't have to deal with the heat. We did have a few months of pretty chilly weather, the months of January and February were usually at or around freezing during the day and even colder at night. In the beginning of January we did have one day that snowed, as you can imagine it doesn't happen that often here so it was neat to see. The snow didn't stick and it only was a light snow that lasted maybe an hour, but it was still snow.

We have had plenty of the things we need here. In my room we had a junk food box that was always overflowing with candy and treats from care packages. Most of the time we had more than we could handle.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: mg
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 04:31 PM

I wouldn't send an email if you don't know him. I would just send him a card now and then..perhaps with a few postcards addressed to your family if he has time (stamped) to respond. Or postcards of your town or whatever. If you have time and money, perhaps a little care package with whatever...sunscreen, hard candy, things like that. They like getting actual mail. If they still have mail call it is very important that they get mail. mg

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 06:00 PM

At the time of the Bush/Kerry confrontation. I saw all these interviews with young American soldiers on CNN. I thought at the time, whatever this war is about. These are decent brave young people for the most part and they believe passionately they are doing their duty, and putting their lives on the line for what they think is right.

I wrote this song and it got featured on Pentagon websites.

I got a lot of letters and e-mails from American soldiers (who had downloaded it onto i-pods) and their families. they seemed to understand what I was saying - namely that we understand that the ordinary soldier is basically honourable and decent in intention.

This is a typical of several webpages that featured the song. And if it helps, you can hear the song from this page:-

http://www.alabama810.com/countryclub/supportourtroops.htm

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 07:07 PM

mg, thanks, but I already emailed him and posted his reply, today. He'll be coming home soon.

wld, thank you! I abhor this war and the idjits who got us into it, but I sure do support the boys and appreciate your song.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 07:19 PM

I wouldn't even tell him that I hope he's coming home or that I pray it ...

I'd just say:



"Hold on

you'll be home soon

keep safe

stay alert

We love you!"




I think I might even put it exactly like that.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 07:48 PM

well I don't know any of the troops personally(although I've entered into correspondence with one or two). But the song is my little card to the troops.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Phot
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 08:07 AM

Why not start a thread on the Cat? If he has interweb access (Garanteed out there!) then loads of people can write to him, the good folks of the Cat did it for me (Phot says hello from Iraq) and it really helped!

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 08:42 AM

Our church provides a stack of postcards on the 'welcome' table that are stamped and address-labeled for the various sons/daughters/nephews/grandchildren of the church that are abroad. It helps because it takes so little time and effort to write a postcard-length message even if we don't know him. I sometimes just write something like, 'The azaleas are starting to bloom pink, and the forget-me-nots are out; robins are everywhere. Be well. You are much in my thoughts!'

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 08:48 AM

I was writing to a young woman in Iraq a few years back. Her name was given to me because women over there needed sanitary products, make-up and stuff. I wrote to see what she would like, sent a Care package of goodies and got a response - she was shipping home soon, would I send a microwave to her home address. That was the end of our correspondance. I think she got the wrong idea somewhere along the line. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Teribus
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 05:29 PM

"What would you write to a soldier in Iraq?"

Welcome Home, well done, looking forward to seeing you.

Here's what some of the locals have said about them:

Mohammed Qassim, 35, father-of-three, credits British forces with achieving a cherished new peace, he insisted: "I say to British soldiers and their families, many, many thanks. You should be very proud, you have given our children a future. No one wanted foreign forces to come here — we are a proud people. But it was the only way we could get rid of Saddam Hussein. We now have democracy and no one can tell the people who will be their leader."

University lecturer Dr Juliana Dawood Jousif, 52, said that, despite the carnage: "The war was worth it. We would never have got rid of Saddam's regime otherwise. I appreciate the British Army changed the lives of many Iraqis for the better. It's sad these people (MNF Troops) had to come to Basra and lose their lives for something they aren't responsible for."

Youth worker Shatha Ibrahim, 32, helps local school leavers find work training schemes, said: "If you disagreed with Saddam, you were not safe. His guys would follow you until you were dead. Then, under the militias, women were not leaving our homes much. In the street and in the markets they would tell us to wear the veil and not to wear make-up or jeans. Now we have picnics by the river and we can wear whatever we want."

Abdul Al Moosawi, 49, the Imam at the sprawling Moosawi Mosque in Basra's centre hit out at last month's protests by extremists in Luton who labelled British troops the "butchers of Basra". Standing beside the vast domes of the mosque which can hold 11,000 worshippers, he said: "We appreciate the sacrifice British troops made in bringing democracy to our country. Saddam had a sick mind but the British and Americans changed the regime for good. I thank the parents of these soldiers for the sacrifice their children made and ask God to send their souls to paradise."

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 May 09 - 09:32 AM

Looks like Germany is the best place for a deserter from the US killing machine to go:

Veterans of Modern Warfare story

So suggest he makes his way there.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Teribus
Date: 01 May 09 - 10:50 AM

"It was the middle of the night in April 2007 when Mr Shepherd packed a few things and walked out of the gates of his American army base in Katterbach onto German soil.

"I could no longer support this illegal war in Iraq with a clear conscience," explained the 31-year-old, who had been due to return to Iraq where he had already spent six months serving as an Apache helicopter mechanic.

"It has been proved that Saddam Hussein was not a direct threat to the United States and the war is simply being waged in order for the US to gain access to raw materials in the Middle East," he said.

After almost two years spent living underground in Germany, he has now applied for asylum.

His case rests on a European Union law guaranteeing refugee status to soldiers who might be prosecuted for desertion if military service involves violating international law."

I'd say that Mr. Shepherd is skating on very thin ice:

- In April 2007 he objects to an "illegal war" when the "war" i.e. the defeat of Saddam Hussein had been accomplished four years previous to Shepherd leaving his base.

- "His case rests on a European Union law guaranteeing refugee status to soldiers who might be prosecuted for desertion if military service involves violating international law." Now please correct me if I am in error here but since the passing and adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511 on the 16th October 2003 until 31st December 2008, MNF troops have been present in Iraq under authorised UN Security Council Mandate and at the express request of the elected and internationally recognised Government of Iraq. So in April 2007 exactly how was Andre Shepherd serving in Iraq going to violate international law?

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:06 AM

Take it to a different thread, please, Teribus and Jack!

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:08 AM

Post home made cookies or candy, magazines (what are his interests - computing, cars, sports), and comic strips clipped from newspapers, a yo yo, a hackysac ball, crossword puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles, some CDs (find out the kind of music he likes or turn him on to jazz or blues), a ukelele or harmonica (you might think these silly, but I bet either he or a mate will make use of them).

There is nothing like getting a care package.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:18 AM

Our boys, when they were in the Navy, wrung hours of peace out of the most mundane stuff. Clippings from the hometown paper, chit-chat. NORMAL life is worth so much to them when they are away from home.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:35 AM

oops I should a kept on reading.

Well, mine is good advice for any one else looking for ideas about what to send friends and family who are away from native country or even to university students.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:50 AM

I was quite serious. The only useful advice anyone can give to a British or American soldier in Iraq is advice on how best to desert.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 09 - 09:51 PM

I know, I just don't want to see a huge debate on that between the two of you, or anyone else, in this thread. Thanks for consideration.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 02 May 09 - 11:09 AM

My brother always likes to hear about family, what the kids are doing and any plans we have made. We make a point of not talking about his job in emails or over the phone as a matter of security. When he's home from operations/postings we let him talk about his job if he feels he wants to.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Teribus
Date: 03 May 09 - 08:20 AM

Well whatever you do, don't write advising him to desert, as that is against the law and you might get your collar felt for it.

Serving in Iraq in January 2008 - shouldn't he be home by now?? My son is just about to go back out to Afghanistan for his fourth trip.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 04 May 09 - 07:28 AM

You might try a lighter approach along the lines of some pertinent advice

1. Remember son, a volunteer is the one guy in the squad who misunderstood the question.

2. When they ask for a volunteer, take one step back. All the others willbe dong the same.

3. Remember the General stands behind the troops, about 35 miles behind. Try to get a job as the General's clerk.

4. Keep your head down, and come home in one piece.


Worked for me many years ago.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 09 - 10:39 AM

Yes, the young man about whom I originally posted has been home for quite sometime, now. Long enough to get married and start a new job. Thanks, again, folks.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 05 May 09 - 07:05 AM

Interesting story on the BBC news today concerning Iraq.

An army officer awarded a gallantry medal has been arrested as part of an probe into claims that honours may have been based on false battle write-ups.

Maj Robert Armstrong, 35, of the Royal Artillery, was detained by military police officers on Friday so that he could be interviewed under caution.

He received a Military Cross for "consistent bravery and inspirational leadership" in Afghanistan in March.

It is thought to be the first such inquiry in British military history.

As well as arresting Maj Armstrong, the Royal Military Police is investigating all the gallantry medals awarded to his regiment.

Thorough investigation

Maj Armstrong was attached to the 1st battalion The Royal Irish Regiment in Helmand in 2008.


Part of his medal citation said: "While mentoring the Afghan National Army vehicle patrol Armstrong showed consistent bravery and inspirational leadership.

"As a result of his calm leadership under fire, losses were prevented and the lives of those injured were saved."

But another soldier now claims that citation was "overblown".

This year 177 honours were announced for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Subject: RE: BS: What do you write to a soldier in Iraq?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Oct 09 - 08:26 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8295868.stm