Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
Sometimes, what travels the farthest isn’t a supply drop or a mission order—it’s a message from home. Recently, Command Sergeant Major Paul E. Luce of Task Force Chamberlain in Afghanistan shared how one box of letters delivered more than just paper. It delivered strength.
A Surge in Morale, Straight From the Heart
“We received a box full of wonderful cards today from kids from all over the country,” wrote Sgt. Maj. Luce, “basically ‘thanking’ our soldiers for answering the call to duty.” But these weren’t just simple messages. Many of them, he said, were deeply personal and heart-wrenching—filled with wisdom well beyond the years of the children who wrote them. For a unit based 5,000 miles from home, made up largely of soldiers from Maine, the cards made them feel like they had family everywhere.
Connection in the Midst of Sacrifice
The letter speaks candidly about the sacrifices made by both soldiers and their families in the fight against terrorism. “Their collective sacrifice has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated,” he wrote. Still, letters from strangers back home provide a kind of reward no medal can match. “The reward is having our soldiers and families know they are helping the Afghan people realize a dream.”
That dream—a life free from terror, rich with the freedoms many Americans take for granted—gains power when those serving know they’re supported by people they’ve never even met.
Support That Keeps Them Mission-Ready
Sgt. Maj. Luce closed his letter by affirming the purpose of A Million Thanks: “Soldiers need to know that support exists for them on the home front, even from children who may not know the ramifications of war.” That kind of support, he said, helps keep soldiers in the right mindset to stay focused.
It’s a powerful truth: while soldiers fight to protect freedom, your letters help protect their morale.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
Every letter sent through A Million Thanks carries more than ink and paper—it carries connection, hope, and motivation. Captain Doug Cullins, a U.S. Marine Corps officer stationed in Ramadi, Iraq, recently wrote to share just how deeply those letters impact his Marines.
A Boost When It’s Needed Most
Captain Cullins didn’t hold back: “Your support and patriotism has helped strengthen the resolve of our Marines.” In an environment filled with uncertainty and long days far from home, he described the letters as something that truly keeps his team going. These messages, often from people they’ve never met, remind them that they’re not forgotten—that their service matters.
Motivation From the Home Front
According to Captain Cullins, support from people back home—especially strangers—has a direct effect on morale. “It’s people like you that keep the Marines motivated and proud to serve our country,” he wrote. That kind of motivation is critical, especially for a unit on its fourth deployment. The simple act of receiving a handwritten card or note becomes a mental and emotional lift in the middle of a demanding mission.
A Reminder of Why They Serve
The Marines in his unit have seen the transformation of their environment—from conflict to rebuilding. And while the work is meaningful, it’s also exhausting. Letters from home help them stay mentally focused and emotionally grounded. They’re a reminder of the lives they’re protecting, the freedoms they’re upholding, and the people they’re making proud.
Your Letters Matter
Captain Cullins’ message is clear: letters make a difference. Not just symbolically, but practically—in the day-to-day mindset of those deployed overseas. “Please know that your support has significantly raised the morale of our Marines,” he wrote. That’s the power of your words.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
In a quiet hospital room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a wounded soldier received a handwritten letter from a stranger. It was a simple message of thanks—but it came with the full weight of a nation behind it. That moment, shared by Lieutenant General Roger C. Schultz, is a clear example of how your letters make a lasting impact.
A Personal Delivery With Powerful Meaning
Lieutenant General Schultz, Director of the Army National Guard, wrote to thank A Million Thanks for the role it plays in supporting our troops. He personally distributed some of the letters sent through the program and saw the difference they made firsthand. “Your efforts make a difference in people’s lives and ensure our Soldiers know that their Nation is solidly behind them,” he said.
Uplifting Those Who Serve and Sacrifice
The letter emphasizes something we hear often from military leadership: morale matters. Whether on the battlefield or in recovery, encouragement from home has a powerful effect. Schultz wrote that the letters provide “needed encouragement” to the men and women in uniform—and help maintain their motivation in ways few other things can.
A Mission Shared by All
In recognizing the campaign, he added that the Army National Guard is proud to be a sponsor of A Million Thanks. “Young people like you demonstrate the strength and greatness of America,” he wrote, praising the initiative for bringing the country together in support of its defenders.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
In Afghanistan, where the mission is as much about rebuilding as it is about defense, a simple message from home can carry extraordinary weight. Major Kent Anderson of the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team recently shared just how much the letters, pictures, and drawings sent through A Million Thanks have meant to his team of Soldiers and Airmen.
A Reminder That They’re Not Forgotten
“We truly appreciate all that you do for us,” wrote MAJ Anderson, “to include the pictures, drawings and letters of support.” In a region focused on governance, security, and reconstruction—supporting schools, clinics, and building roads—life is demanding. Morale is critical. These notes from strangers serve as meaningful reminders that people back home recognize their work and sacrifices.
Rebuilding Lives, Boosting Morale
The Soldiers and Airmen of Qalat PRT aren’t just protecting—they’re building. They work side by side with local government officials to meet the needs of the Afghan people. It’s hard, often unseen work. But each letter received is a form of acknowledgment, a way to show that their mission matters and their effort is seen.
Support That Goes Beyond the Battlefield
The photos, hand-drawn cards, and letters from across the country don’t just bring smiles—they bring connection. In a place far from home, your words remind our service members that they’re part of something bigger. They’re not just in a uniform—they’re part of a community that stretches from foreign soil back to every mailbox, classroom, and kitchen table in America.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
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.
Mar 20, 2019 | Military Response
In a letter written with care and humility, Gunnery Sergeant Spanky Gibson shared what a simple box of letters meant to him and his fellow Marines. The impact wasn’t just personal—it was deeply collective. These weren’t just notes; they were reminders that someone was thinking of them, rooting for them, and caring enough to write.
A Box of Letters, A Box of Encouragement
GySgt. Gibson thanked A Million Thanks for the entire box of letters, saying he had already passed them around and hoped his fellow Marines would write back. “What you are doing is such an amazing feat for a young woman. You are definitely a blessing,” he wrote. That box didn’t just deliver mail—it delivered morale.
A Marine’s Journey, and a Nation’s Gratitude
With nearly 19 years of service, GySgt. Gibson had seen and sacrificed much. He wrote from Camp Fallujah, Iraq, reflecting on the day he was injured during a firefight. He was shot above the knee and ultimately lost his leg. But his message wasn’t one of pain—it was one of pride. “Thank God they got me out of there alive and I return to Iraq to continue to support what we’re doing.”
Why Letters Matter
For GySgt. Gibson, the mission was clear: helping Iraq rebuild and become a new, peaceful country. But equally clear was the value of support from back home. “We all appreciate what you are doing,” he wrote. That appreciation goes beyond any one letter—it’s about what those letters represent: unity, compassion, and the power of being remembered.
