Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Postman Always Rings Trice

In June of 1983, I was huddled together with the rest of my Basic Training platoon in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as our Senior Drill Sergeant regaled us with the three things the Army would hold sacrosanct for soldiers.


We trainees were hoping one of the three would be sleep, but based on the average of four hours (not even consecutive) we had received that first week of Basic, it didn’t seem likely.


As the Senior Drill’s crazy-eyes pierced each of us from under his una-brow, he declared, with enumerating fingers slapping into the palm of his hand: one - mail; two - meals; and three - money.


During the rest of Basic Training, his words proved true as all efforts were made to ensure we had a daily mail call; even if we had to do push-ups for every letter received or eat all the cookies/candy/etc. in one sickening binge in front of the platoon once the package was opened and the "contraband" was discovered - much to the hooting joy of the anticipating audience and the lurching dread of the recipient.


During the following years, I had three over-seas tours and much more appreciated the cookies and mail I received from family and friends, but not nearly as much as I do now here in TK.


Part of the pleasure probably comes from anticipation since, due to logistical arrangements, mail arrives to the base and is distributed just three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.


Typically, the mail is sorted in the mornings so it is generally the afternoon when it finally makes it way into the hot, greedy hands of the waiting soldiers. So, when you do not receive anything on Thursday, it seems like a long wait through Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday before finding out if there will be something for you.


But when there is mail, there is warm pleasure in knowing someone out there is thinking about you and has gone through the time and trouble to post something. Sure, getting an email is nice, as well, but it really does not compare to the tangible, hands-on experience of getting a package or letter.


An email is a bit ephemeral and is only accessible electronically while a letter can be carried in a pocket and read any time; a photo taped up, can be the last thing seen before going to bed and the first thing upon awakening.


The letter or package does not even have to be from someone you know to bring delight and raise morale. There are quite a few groups which spend a lot of time and money (mostly donated) sending letters and care packages to soldiers/service members.


If you Google “soldier care package”, several of these organizations will be at the top of your list; at their respective sites you will find details on how you may support them with time, money, donations, or ways to send items directly to soldiers.


“Directly” is not wholly accurate. When my friend in Petoskey, Michigan sends me a letter, the APO part of my address means it will first be sent to New York City for the initial step of processing. At that point, the mail leaves the influence of US Postal, FEDEX, etc., so when sending something to a soldier, don’t waste your money on expedited service as they will only apply until it gets to NY.


From NY, the mail is sent to Germany. Then to Kuwait. Then to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Then, finally, to Tarin Kowt. Each step of the way the mail can be subject to the whims of space on aircrafts being available, or the way the package or letter has been sorted and grouped with other mail.


As my Platoon Sergeant puts it, it can be a crapshoot. We have received some mail in a matter of days while other items have taken over three weeks to arrive.


But when the mail finally does arrive here at TK, nothing raises a soldier’s spirits more. So please keep it coming so that when the postman rings, there is something nice.

6 comments:

  1. Hello,

    Im looking for a military pen pal to exchange letters with. If you or anyone in your unit or anyone else that is deployeed would be interested please send me their address to:

    txwildrose73@gmail.com

    I am 36, from Texas. I work full time in the Oil and Gas Industry. Work and family keep me pretty busy but I think it would be nice to have someone to exchange letters with. Maybe it would be a chance to brighten someones day.

    Thanks,
    Michelle

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  2. Michelle,

    One of the guys in my platoon is from Texas (I am not sure exactly where) so I will mention it to him and the rest of the guys. I am sure someone would enjoy exchanging mail from you so keep your eyes open.

    SGT Corbin

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  3. Hello Sgt Corbin,

    It's really nice to read your insights. I'm 21 and I'm a law undergraduate from this tiny island called Singapore. Sometimes, I really feel like I'm doing nothing in my life, but reading yours really gives me a lot of hope for what you're doing for your country. =]

    I'd like to be able to send care packages or exchange letters with a pen pal too. It gives me something to look forward to during the summer holidays. I'm really not doing anything at all, and it'd be great to hear from someone with a complete different perspective from mine. I tried looking through some websites like you suggested.. but most of them are really backdated to about 2 years ago at the height of the war.

    Here's my email address that you can contact me by, ninevalentineroses@hotmail.com
    I'll be looking forward to your update.

    Sincerely,
    Amsani

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  4. Hello Amsani,

    Thank you for your kind words. I will see if I can get someone to contact you dirctly.

    Best regards,

    SGT Corbin

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  5. Sgt Corbin,
    I have been enjoying reading your blog. It's interesting to hear how things are going with you guys. I've heard from one of the guys that received a letter with the first mailing I did. I'm continuing to send packages and letters in them but was wondering if it is ok that if I were to send letters to this soldier if it would be ok to address them specifically to him? Hope things are going well for you guys and be safe, oh and enjoy the change to night shift...lol.

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  6. Hello Sgt Corbin,
    For about a month I have wanted and thought of little else but sending cards or letters of encourgement and love to memebers of our military. I asked a friend if she could help me figure out how to do this. The best she could come up with was penpals. That's where I found you and your blog and I've only read the first or rather your last few enteries.I find your discription interesting and I look forward to reading more. I'm both glad and sad to hear that I was right that a soldier would rather have good old fashion mail than an e-mail. I still have no way of knowing how or to whom to write but I would love to send you or anyone your serving with a card,note or even a little care package.My e-mail is jetta2448@aim.com. Feel free to use it if you have the time and you my share it with anyone who's looking for a friend away from all of the action.lol.
    I look forward to hearing from you and reading all about your adventures. GOOD LUCK!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND BRING ALL OF YOU HOME SAFE AND SOON.
    Georgette

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