When Ann Johnson’s son Paul - a combat medic in the Army - was deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005, she wanted to make sure he had letters, snacks, and other things to make him and his unit more “comfortable,” if possible. Paul’s battalion of 3,600 was living in an airplane hangar in Habbinyah, a small town between Ramadi and Fallujah. For the first five months, the men ate only MREs (meals ready to eat).
“I learned that no matter how much I sent to Paul it was never enough because he would share everything with his unit. I spoke with friends, co-workers and church members for help. The more we sent the more everything was shared, first with Paul’s unit of seven, then with his platoon of 45; and then with his company of 175. Before Christmas of 2004, we had sent Paul three microwaves, an X-Box, DVD movies, books, magazines, hygiene products and tons of food,” said Johnson.
Johnson then received a multitude of thank you letters from members of Paul’s unit, she added, one simply asking, “If you have time, could you write back?”
The Adopt A U.S. Soldier (AAUSS) organization was then founded in February of 2005. The 501c3 nonprofit organization takes no political stance, and is a human effort simply offering a channel through which supporters can write and/or send care packages to a deployed service member.
After registering with the organization, supporters are sent the name, address and comments of a deployed man or woman who has recently signed up for support. Supporters are asked to send weekly letters to their soldier throughout their deployment. Care packages are completely optional, as each service member is given at least four supporters.
There is no guarantee that a supporter will hear back from “their” soldier, as many are in remote locations and as Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) begin to close or restructure, Internet access is becoming less reliable. However, anything sent is appreciated.
“What do you all bring to us over here? A slice of home. You may think that you don't have much to offer in your letters that often go unanswered. You may feel you are rambling on about the weather or about how you find cemeteries a peaceful place or who just won “American Idol,” but to a soldier in a combat zone? That is life. That is normalcy,” said Steve, a soldier registered with the organization.
As a New York State representative for the organization and a volunteer administrator, I spend a couple of hours daily answering questions regarding the process for those who wish to “adopt” and making sure the needs of the services members who register are met. I helped supporters understand how a military address looks, and helped to fill out Customs forms. The Syracuse Orange, Buffalo Sabres, Lupos Spiedie and Rib Pit, and countless others have mailed me items to send overseas and have been more than willing to help out. I send fifteen letters on average a week, and packages as often as funds permit.
“I got a box full of cards from little kids today, one of my supporters is a teacher. We hung them up all over. It made my day,” said another soldier registered with the organization.
As of this past February, AAUSS has more than 838,000 supporters from more than 149 countries and territories. For more information go to adoptaussoldier.org.