Being a soldier who sees combat is one of the most stressful jobs in existence. Auto racers, ski jumpers, rock climbers, ski mountaineers, pilots, and sky divers all see a lot of stressful activity and fearful episodes, but individuals in these professions are not doing the one thing that intensifies the soldier’s stressful experience tremendously. No one is actively trying to kill participants in these other careers! By definition, a soldier is placed in the line of fire, which is historically a very dangerous and stressful place to be.
To help reduce stress for a soldier is a wonderful thing, and towards that end, you can make useful contributions by writing correspondence, or even sending small gifts, to soldiers in war-torn areas such as Iraq. By showing interest in their lives and daily complications, you create a sense of care and concern that may be otherwise lacking in a soldier’s existence. Your support is a tremendous benefit. You don’t have to have a bachelor degree in English to write a meaningful letter. Anything you send, from cards to words of appreciation and encouragement will be appreciated by soldiers.
By showing yourself knowledgeable of the trials that soldiers face, your written voice will ring loud and clear to those serving in the armed forces. You don’t need to know everything about soldier life to show appreciation. But if you demonstrate how clued in you are to the everyday stress of bombs and bullets, you will probably manage to grow a small fan club among a set of soldiers – the one you’re writing to regularly, and his group of buddies!
