Support Our Troops: How to Write Letters to Soldiers

Send some cheer to men and women who are far from home.

Possible recipients

Share your cards with soldiers abroad who must be away from their families for extended periods of time. Reach out to a soldier you know. Or participate in the work of Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that makes it easy to send your letters to the right spot.

What you’ll need

• Cards (or paper) and writing materials
• One envelope for all your cards
• Optional: Decorating materials – markers,stickers,scissors,glue, etc.
• Please respect their request for no glitter or confetti.

Instructions

• Read the guidelines on the Operation Gratitude website.
• Write a positive message on a card or piece of paper.
• Include your address if you’d like a response.
• Decorate as you wish.
• Drop-off your creations at a designated location or mail to:
  Operation Gratitude
  ATTN: Letter Writing Program
  9409 Owensmouth Avenue
  Chatsworth, CA 913111

Reflections

• What would it feel like to be away from your family and friends for months at a time?
• How would it feel to receive a happy letter from a nice and caring stranger?
• What would you do to stay positive and connected if you lived far away from your family?
• What are other ways you can show support to those who are serving our country?

Resources

• A Paper Hug by Stephanie Skolmoski
  A young boy decides that a paper hug is the ideal gift to give his father who is being deployed.
• Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut
  A soldier, who is serving halfway across the world, plays “night catch” with his son, using the North Star.

Take it further

• Set up a card-making/letter-writing station in your home. Whenever your kids are looking for something to do, the supplies will be ready to go.
• Check out these creative ways to reach out to soldiers:
  • Create welcome home kit for soldiers returning from deployment.
  • Collect books to send to soldiers.
  • Sign up to volunteer in numerous ways with Soldiers' Angels.

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