Deployed troops still love mail

I've often wondered what troops today could have in common with troops of wars past. It's hard to imagine; the images I have of World War II (courtesy of the History Channel) have little in common with those of my own memory of Iraq. But, I would say—without a doubt—the one constant among all troops of any war is the anticipation of mail day.

Nowadays, if troops are at established (i.e. semi- permanent buildings and a flight line) locations, mail is delivered once a week. For those in non-established locations, mail can lack any schedule at all and be very infrequent.

I was at an established location and therefore received mail once a week. My mother (who had been deployed to Iraq four years prior) organized a family-wide mail system in which I received one package a week from different family members. My mom sent the most packages, and always made sure there was plenty to share with everyone.

She really knew what she was doing; everyone looked forward to my packages. For Cinco de Mayo, she sent plastic champagne cups, pineapple juice, some sort of non-alcoholic mixer, a jar of maraschino cherries and a bunch of leis. That party box was a collective favorite.

In the technology age of email, cellphones and Twitter, it's easy to forget how important snail mail is to those disconnected from the everything-at-your-fingertips world. I had several friends who never got a package they didn't order themselves—despite the fact that they had loving families who knew they were deployed.

And while the USO sends care packages, it's a bunch of generic crap. (Please don't tell them I said so, because I appreciate their effort.) But what's exciting about a care package is mostly knowing someone was thinking of you. Of course, it's always great getting stuff you can't get there too.

This holiday season, while you are huffing and puffing at the obnoxious display of consumerism that Christmas has become, please remember those deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Africa and South America. (Yeah, there are a lot more deployment stations than you would think. Those are only the places I personally know people deployed to—I'm sure the list is longer.)

Deployed troops are completely cut off from the joys (and annoyances) of the holiday season, and it's especially tough to know your family is celebrating without you. Find a friend, loved one, or distant cousin who is deployed and send them some cheer! Perhaps a hand-decorated stocking filled with goodies?

They'll appreciate it more. than you know.