Hey Sally, I just thought of a thing that I get a kick out of, I've been writing to soldiers and sailors who don't get any other mail since 1989 when the desert thing really got started. Nowadays, there is a much more guarded system, but they do still really appreciate letters.

I don't send packages because it's a little more physical than I want it to be, but the kids seem to get a bang out of my letters which tend to be a little on the smart allecky side. Some write back, some email, and others I never hear from. But it's neat to get a note from someone telling me that his/her entire unit read and loved my letter. I include some plain paper photos incorporated into the letter. They really dig seeing green foliage from home.

There are lots of helpful websites to help get you started, just google "any soldier" and read up on the protocol. It's rather uplifting.