Personal contact is the most desired of things wished for by the men and women of the armed forces. Whether the force is Canadian, or American, or Brit, or whatever. During times of conflict it is even more important. I served in combat in Vietnam in nineteen sixty nine and now realize that I was remiss for not keeping in contact with home. I would only write to my mother every other month or so, while she would write me weekly.
What I didn't realize was that my mother needed to hear from me, as much as I needed to hear from her. She would go for those months wondering if I were dead or alive - I knew I was alive and that she was probably alive, so I wasn't worried - but she would watch TV and hear the stories of MIA (Missing In Action) and KIA (Killed In Action) that were unidentifiable and would of course wonder if that was her son. My mother is long gone but I still feel guilt for what I didn't do. Such a small easy thing to do, just sit down for a few minutes at the keyboard or with a pad and pencil and write a note or a letter, or a novel. Just Do It!
Those on the ships, or in the camps need to hear from home. In Vietnam we didn't have the Internet but we did have free mail service (for those in combat or high risk zones) and I presume with the Internet and free mail service these days there isn't a real reason that word cannot be gotten to the family and friends that all is well. Whether your writing to tell them about the weather, or that the bills are getting paid, or how good the kids are doing at school, try to keep the letters and the information up-beat and easy to digest.
If you know of someone that is in the military and in harms way, and you know their e-mail address, write them. If you know their regular address write them. E-mail is fine for some things but a letter (paper and scented with your perfume/after shave) from your lover, your wife/husband, your girlfriend/boyfriend thrills like you wouldn't believe. Have your kids write them also, even if they can't write yet. Buy a subscription to the local paper and have it mailed to them so they might keep up with the local news and information.
Remember that in this conflict that the soldier/sailor has to worry about you at home also, the war is on two fronts this time and the terrorists care not if
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