Mail is the safety rope that ties the kids in uniform back to the homeland. It is everything.
Something parents of servicemen and women can do is to have newspaper notices about their sons and daughters published. All newspapers have a section for our folks in uniform. Be sure to send copies to your sons and daughters and always let them know how proud you are of them.
When I was a young sailor, it wasn't a popular thing to join up but for me it was the right thing to do. We must never again let our sons and daughters return to a homeland that despises them. Respect is the single thing that servicemen and wemen earn in spades. They do a job with little thanks and few perks compared to earlier years of my era. I constantly pat them on the back and let them know how great they are. I see them all, every branch, officer and enlisted and family and hometown approval is a HUGE part of their life. These kids can endure nearly anything the enemy can dish out but they can not endure family indifference.
I say this because of the way they hang on to us grumpy old contractors. We support them and they know were here to help. They crave approval and they ALL know and have heard how it was for our genration, and they have a hidden fear the country will turn on them the same way. Were the voice of reason at times and were the ones who get to hear the complaints and fears that parents would have heard at home. Every one of them wants to do a good job and its hugely important that they be told they are doing a good job by friends and family not just us that are out here lending a helping hand. Tell them big and tell them often.
Scotty
