Reading List: Love Letters of Soldiers

So far, I've found comfort and some inspiration in the letters between soldiers and their significant others, regardless of which war they were written through. A few of my favorites...

Dearest Virginia: Love Letters from a Cavalry Officer

by Gayle Hunnicutt (Ed.)

More coming soon!

Writer's Block

If you're ever searching for a cute new idea...

• Cut out words from magazines and make a collage letter 
• Find famous love letters and copy one down for him
• Write a full page of "I Love You"s to send
• Plan a future trip. You can write one day of the vacation and mail it to him. He can pick up where you left off and write another day and mail it back to you.
  

Motivation

This week, during my second visit to the Waltham Post Office, a postal worker smiled at me, and I politely smiled back and went back to filling out-- yet again-- the 2976A Customs Form. I had that feeling.. you know, when you can tell someone is debating whether to ask a question (usually for directions, or if you've met before). When I looked up, he simply said "God bless you, and tell that lucky solider that we thank him and stand behind him."

I stayed a few more minutes as he told me stories about serving in Vietnam, and he quickly and completely reassured me that I shouldn't worry so much about the little things-- like whether my letters are silly (what I burned in the kitchen) or uninteresting (what I'm learning in grad school), or if my packages ever get boring or repetitive. He told me something that put a smile on my face, kept it there all day, and was quickly sent right through the phoneline to my wonderful friend "R" as well!

He said: "To a soldier, hearing your name at mail-call is like hearing I Love You for the first time. It can make-or-break your spirit, especially on tough days. If your name is called, you feel like a God".

I started into a "but what if..." but before I could get another word out, he jumped in and said "It doesn't matter what you send. If you sent cookies and they arrived as a bag of crumbs, they taste like home-made cookies on a snowday. You can send a letter with nothing more than 'Hi!' written on it, and it will make his day."

So, while I have my bases covered on those last two scenarios (see Cookies and Writers Block), these words were so comforting, a welcome surprise, and are an incredible first-hand source of motivation.

Bottom Line: Find 5 minutes in your day or week and write a letter to your soldier! XO

Got Your Back

Someone emailed me this poem, and I thought it was a great first Inspiration post. If you have a loved one on active duty, let this remind you that we are never alone in these times. If not, this might help you understand what the friends and family of deployed soldiers are going through. Either way, there are a lot of beautiful poems and lyrics out there, so I'll continue to add my favorites!

GOT YOUR BACK

I am a small and precious child, my dad’s been sent to fight.
The only place I’ll see his face, is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I'm lucky still, because I'm proud to say: My daddy’s got your back.


I am a caring mother; my son has gone to war.
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I miss my son, but I am proud: My son has got your back.


I am a strong and loving woman with my soldier soon to go.
There are times I’m terrified, in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile, as I start to help him pack.
My heart may break, but I am proud: My soldier’s got your back.


I am a U.S. Soldier, serving proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine, by answering this call.
I serve my country proudly, traveling off the beaten track,
Say your prayers till I come home, because It’s me who’s got your back.