Patton once made a profound statement that talked about the fact that mankind never really changes, we just find new ways to wage war.  I’d tend to agree with that.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of reading letters written by Soldiers when they were away at war.  And with a couple of syntax and location changes they could have been written in any era by a Soldier from any part of the world.  Everyone complains about being lonely, scared and bored.  And more important they complain about the lack of mail.

I’m lucky on that front.  Seldom has a day gone by since I hit Iraq that I didn’t get something in the mail.  And on the days that I don’t get mail, the next day I get two pieces.  Some days I hit the jackpot and get a letter AND a package.  Like today, I got two cards from the family and a package from one of my old NCOs.  Said care package was full of premium smokes, thus making the package all that much better to receive.

Still, there are some guys here that have all but given up on getting mail.  My “office” is across from the mail room door.  So I get to see the guys that come up, check the board for their name and go away disappointed.  It takes about a week of coming up dry before they quit checking the mail  board.  In an time of instant communications it may strike you as strange that a paper letter still carries such emotional weight.

Every guy that is not getting mail has access to the Internet here.  Thanks to the USO it’s even free in lots of places on post.  Despite that, real letters and Hallmark cards still matter the most.  Too bad the Army dropped the “Any Soldier” mail program.  Because I’m seeing a bunch of kids that sure could use a package of gum and dental floss from a person back home.  Any person back home.

SABER SQUELCH out.