Contact from home brightens soldiers’ lives

“Mail call!”

Eager soldiers gather around hoping to hear their name so they can rip open a letter or care package from someone back in the states – to lose themselves, if only for a moment, with thoughts of home. Halfway around the world in a land so unlike their own, these men and women are surrounded by a different people and culture than they’ve ever known, with the constant threat of the enemy on their minds. But some soldiers don’t bother to gather at mail call because they haven’t received so much as a post card since they left.

In August 2003, Sgt. Brian Horn, serving in Iraq called to thank his parents, Marty and Sue Horn, for the care packages they sent. He voiced his concern about soldiers in his unit who never received anything from home, not even a letter. Between them they hatched an idea to bring a little happiness to every soldier in Brian’s unit. A package sent to Brian with “Attn. Any Soldier” let him know it was for someone who didn’t receive much mail. Brian’s father built a Web site telling people of the idea and asking them to send letters or care packages to soldiers in harm’s way.

“AnySoldier.com started as a simple family effort to help our son who was one of the 1,000 soldiers that parachuted into Northern Iraq back in March 2003,” explains Marty Horn, a 20-year Army veteran. “We knew his unit was living under very rough conditions, so whenever we sent care packages to Brian we always sent enough to share with fellow soldiers.”

The American public rose to the occasion and sent more than Sgt. Horn could use in his unit. Word quickly spread throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever our military was stationed, and more troop leaders volunteered to hand out “Any Soldier” mail in their units. The supply and demand became so great the Horns divided their venture into five categories. In August 2005, AnySoldier.com also took on the names AnyMarine.com, AnyAirman.com, AnySailor.com and AnyCoastguardsman.com.

The soldiers apply online, leaving a message telling the living conditions they are in and what would help improve their quality of life. Many request letters and pictures so they can see who is writing to them. They love to get mail from children and classrooms so they can write back.

One soldier writes: “We are the last stop for the supply truck and it’s almost empty by the time it gets to us. We need soap, shampoo, deodorant, tampons, razors, shaving gel and toothpaste. Anything you send will be appreciated.”

Another writes: “We need gloves to protect our hands from the weather when we go on missions, but useful to tighten chains. We don’t have Internet access so any mail would be greatly appreciated. We just want to be remembered and anything you send would be great. Thank you!”

Most say that when daily toiletries come in to the PX (post exchange or a small military store), they sell out as fast as they hit the shelves and many soldiers are left without. The most requested items are basic toiletries and personal hygiene items. After that are books, magazines and newspapers to read in their down time, used music CDs and DVDs of movies or TV series are requested. AT&T global calling cards are asked for by soldiers who want to call home, and many say these are the only ones that work where they are stationed. Female soldiers ask for nice-smelling body wash, lotions and nail polish to help make them feel feminine in a very unfeminine environment.

These service men and women aren’t picky. They are living with very little and the thrill of a letter or package is enough to lift their spirits. Many who volunteer to pass out the “Any Soldier” mail are in charge of morale and welfare, and try to keep the soldiers in their unit from getting homesick or depressed. Don’t worry about sending packages all the way to Iraq. You pay only shipping to the nearest U.S. coast and the military takes care of the rest. They ask that you keep packages under 10 pounds. They take approximately 10-13 days to arrive. The soldiers are encouraged to write to the sender of any letters or care packages, and many grow long lasting pen pal relationships with families at home they’ve never met and probably never will.