How to Become a Penpal to a Soldier

If you want to become a penpal to a soldier, I salute you. What you are about to do does not only favor patriotism and your support for America, but you'll also touch the heart of the soldiers fighting hard for us overseas, and they deserve any and all of our praise and thankfulness. Follow the steps below to become a penpal to a soldier and let them know how much we appreciate all of their help.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A pen
• Paper

1. Visit the contact page on penpalsforsoldiers.org (see resources below). Fill in the required information and request for a soldier's name. They will usually respond within 24 hours. You are limited to 1 or 2 names, so you can dedicate your time to just a couple of soldiers.

2. In your letter, be sure to begin with "Hi, my name is ______, and I'm from _______" This is a standard introduction that will immediately establish the relationship and show that you're indeed a single person who has contacted them for support.

3. 
    

   Obviously, your feelings should then take over your letter, and believe that they will appreciate every word you have to say. These soldiers often cannot do anything that makes them more happy than read a letter from the US with all kinds of support and thanks.

4. Another important part of becoming a penpal to a soldier is to send them things so they can write back to you. You can send a care package, and include other things. There is a great list on what to send a soldier as a penpal on the penpalforsoldiers.org website (again, see resources below)

5. When sending the letter or package, use the service member's full name and include the unit and APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office). Also include the 9 digit zip code.

6. You can easily send the letter/package to your soldier penpal via the USPS. View the link below to see details about sending items overseas to soldiers, form the USPS website.

Tips & Warnings

• It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the soldier to be reached, and then that much time for the soldier to write back to you.
• Write with a pen and paper, not on the computer. It's more personable when it's handwritten, and it will seem more real to the soldier.
• For some reason, some packages and letters to soldier penpals come back "return to sender." Don't be sad if this happens, it may have happened for any number of reasons, which are listed below in the FAQ section of the penpalsforsoldiers.org website.

Resources

• Penpals for Soldiers Contact Page
• What to Send
• United State Postal Service - Troop Support Help Page
• Penpals for Soldiers FAQ

[foxymom50]

on 10/28/2009 I am excited about this!! Everyone should be sending a letter to the servicemen and women overseas!!Thet have earned our respect!!

[felixthecat]

on 3/8/2009 What a great article. Thanks for the tips!

[theperfectfit]

on 1/26/2009 I wrote to soldiers starting when I was sixteen. My picture was in the local paper for a contest at school. A guy in the Army wrote wishing me good luck. Then later the guy that I eventually married was drafter into the Army. We wrote letters for two years. It has always been a very rewarding experience for me to write to people. You can forget the cares of the day and be kind to someone far away from home. 5* article. Jeanie in Pa.

[Islando]

on 11/23/2008 Very thoughtful article.

[ReuseItAll]

on 11/22/2008 What a wonderful article! Such a good idea!