When a box of letters arrived in Iraq for a combat medic unit, it wasn’t just mail—it was a morale boost, a reminder that people back home haven’t forgotten. Sgt. Fernando Velez, one of the NCOs in a combat medic team, wrote to A Million Thanks to share just how powerful those letters truly were.
Simple Words, Lasting Impact
At first, Sgt. Velez wasn’t sure what the package was. But before long, letters and cards were posted all over their working area, shared among soldiers who were deeply moved by the messages. “I must admit some of them were heartwarming others were so cute in their innocence,” he wrote.
He even photocopied a few to share with friends in other units—because some letters deserve to be read more than once.
Messages That Mattered
One letter, written by a child, read:
“Thank you soldiers for what you do.” The child drew a dozen soldiers lying in pools of blood and a few still fighting, adding, “my daddy didn’t come back.”
Another said: “Dear soldiers, if you’re reading this GOOD Job, it means your not dead!”—written in crayon with innocent honesty.
And the one they keep posted in the TOC:
“Dear soldiers, I respect what you do over there, helping Iraq people (I hope).”
These may be short notes, but they land with weight. These letters aren’t just morale boosters—they’re anchors. They ground soldiers in purpose, appreciation, and connection to the world they’re protecting.
A Kindness That Travels
Sgt. Velez closed his letter by saying he passed the box to the combat stress team to share with others who need it most. That’s how far your letter can go. It can lift one soldier, then another, then a team.