Sending soldiers reminders of home

As Veterans Day weekend wraps up there are thousands of soldiers stationed abroad who may yearn for something from home, especially during the holiday season.

Whether it's a good book or a nice note, it shows them that they're appreciated, which is exactly why Richard Neill and other members of the congregation at Glad Tidings Church in Hanford have been sending greeting cards and letters to deployed soldiers since 2007.

"We just wanted to let them know that people back home are supporting them," Neill said. "It makes no difference if they support the war or not, they're out there in harm's way for us and that's what we want them to know."

They've adopted 100 soldiers in the California Army National Guard who are stationed in Iraq, which they've located through a military chaplain based in Fresno.

Sheila Yurkus of Hanford is among the group at Glad Tidings who is helping to prepare the packages to ship by Dec. 4, the deadline established by the United States Postal Service to ensure they arrive by Christmas.

Her husband, Richard, has spent months aboard a ship during his deployments with the United States Navy and she said he's always enjoyed receiving packages from home.

"Even things that may seem insignificant to us is just a piece of home to them," she said. "Seeing one card can make them think of home."

The group plans to send their adopted soldiers Christmas stockings filled with candy, playing cards and other reminders of home. They also send birthday cards to each of the soldiers throughout the year.

For others interested in sending packages to deployed soldiers, several resources exist even if they don't know a deployed soldier personally.

Web sites like anysoldier.com and adoptaussoldier.org provide useful information that will help ensure packages and greeting cards arrive in the hands of a soldier serving overseas.

The United States Postal Service also has a convenient 12-inch by 12-inch Priority Mail Flat Rate Box that will ship to any military personnel serving overseas for $11.95.

The creators of anysoldier.com tout that "this is about support, not just stuff," but also offers a list of suggested items to send.

First and foremost they recommend sending letters that show personal support and a list of other items that make soldiers more comfortable including moist towelettes and new socks that are gray, green or black. New or used books, magazines or newspapers are also suggested.

They warn against sending homemade food to soldiers who you don't  know, but pre-packaged, non-perishable items are encouraged. There is also a list of prohibited items that shouldn't be sent, which includes alcohol.

When the deployed soldiers receive the packages sent by Glad Tidings Church, its pastor Rick McCullough said he hopes they know that they are appreciated.

"People like our servicemen give up a lot," he said. "We really want them to know that we deeply appreciate the service of those who provide these freedoms that we enjoy."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2427.

Send thanks to a soldier

-- Anysoldier.com

Started in 2003 by a family showing

support for their son while he was

stationed in Northern Iraq, care packages

are addressed to ATTN: Any Soldier to indicate

that the items should be passed around. Go to http://www.anysoldier.com

-- Adoptaussoldier.com

Register with this non-profit volunteer organization online and they will assign you a soldier to contact. Go to: http://www.adoptaussoldier.org

(Nov. 14, 2009)