Every April, during National Letter Writing Month, we’re reminded that something as simple as a handwritten note can create powerful connections—especially for our Military heroes stationed far from home. At Soldiers’ Angels, we know how much it brightens your day when you hear your name at mail call. That’s why our Angel volunteers deploy letters as often as possible to ensure deployed Service Members receive support, encouragement, and humor from across the country.

While our letter writing opportunities are a one-time assignment, sometimes Angels get mail back. Sometimes friendships start and even last beyond deployment. This month, we’re honoring the Angels who put their hearts into every letter they send—and sharing just a few of their incredible stories.

From Letters to Lifelong Bonds

“I’ve written many, many letters and received quite a few notes of thanks back. But there’s one that has become a pen pal and good friend. He’s a wounded Veteran who continues to undergo treatment from a VAMC, and our relationship has developed into one that is rewarding on many levels for both of us. We’ve each grown and, yes, healed one another in quiet ways by discovering and sharing things in common. We hope to meet one another someday in person. In the meanwhile, we smile each time we receive each other’s letters.” – Angel Rebecca

A Surprise in the Mail

“I wrote a letter to a Service Member in Iraq. He wrote me back, and we corresponded for another 6 months. I learned so much about his job, what the base accommodations were like, and the fun competitions they held during the months over there. He preferred receiving letters vs. emails because he liked getting actual letters. He said every letter was a nice surprise that someone was thinking about him.” – Angel Andee

Three Years of Connection

“I had one Service Member I was writing to over the course of three years until I relocated, and unfortunately, when I sent her a letter with my new address, it was returned to me unable to forward. She was among the first I had written a letter to back when I started volunteering with Soldiers’ Angels in 2020. I’ve received postcards from Qatar, stickers, letters, and cards from Service Members over the years. I currently have an email friend that started from a letter this year.” – Angel Aimee

Friendships that Go Beyond Deployment

“The first female deployed Service Member I wrote to wrote me back, and we have been friends for three years. She has even met my family. She is very special to me. She even comes over and we bake to send baked goods to other Service Members. I have written to hundreds of Service Members and have heard from quite a few. Some have written to me while on their second deployment. That means a lot.” – Angel Patti

The Joy Is in the Giving

“I currently write to one Service Member weekly and send him a monthly package. I haven’t heard from him, but I have until July! I’ve heard back from a few over the past 13 years, and it’s always special and keeps me wanting to write to more. What is extra special for me is when they send a ‘small’ gift as a thank you… I’ve gotten patches, a flag, and a small puzzle box.” – Angel Danni

Laughter Goes a Long Way

“I wrote to someone about how I had to buy lingerie for my sister-in-law’s bachelorette party and how uncomfortable that was—hahaha! She wrote back saying it made her day and had her cackling.”
– Angel Eden

From Duckie Mishaps to Lifelong Correspondence
“One of my very first letters that I wrote in 2006 after joining Soldiers’ Angels was to a young PFC on his first deployment. I wrote about how my then 3-year-old son got his rubber duck stuck in our toilet in our on-base housing—and how it took three maintenance men to try to rescue his favorite duckie. The PFC read the letter until it fell apart. After returning home and getting ready to deploy again, he asked me to write it down again. I did this for all three of his deployments.” — Angel Leslie

Drawings, Ramblings, and Birthday Flowers
“I think Service Members enjoy my silly stories—I make little drawings and emojis, and write about whatever recently made me laugh. One of my current Service Members emails back and forth with me regularly. He seems to enjoy my crazy rambling and says it brings a bright spot to his day. He recently asked when my birthday was and for my address. I was excited that maybe I would receive a snail mail card. Well, on my birthday I received flowers from him. That just totally made my whole birthday and I told him so. He said it made him feel really good to bring a smile to me like I have been doing for him. 

My other current one messaged back after receiving the letter and told me it made him laugh a lot and cry a little, and he said he enjoyed it. Another one that I supported last year sent me a Christmas card and keeps in touch occasionally. She was and is so appreciative. Another last year would write me notes now and again on the tiniest little pages of a pocket notebook. I have saved every one of them! She was fun!” — Angel Leah

Furry Friends & Hot Sauce
“In my first letter, I include a photo of my three Border Collies. One Service Member wrote back about workouts because I mentioned strength training. My favorite reply was when another Service Member said he fed the hungry stray dogs in the area with some items I sent him. He also said how delicious the base hot dogs were with the hot sauce I sent him. My current Service Member emails me several times a week and said he never thought he would be adopted at age 29, haha. He said that receiving my letter yesterday brightened his day because there’s something about getting a letter or package in the mail that lifts his and his team’s spirits” — Angel Katie

The Gift of Connection
“I have exchanged numerous letters with one Service Member, and we even tried to get together after she wrapped up her deployment. We still write to each other from time to time, and she has kept me up to date on her new relationship and her move halfway across the country. The Service Member pictured on the website was actually one of my adoptees.” — Angel Rose

Friendships Beyond the Battlefield
“One Service Member emailed me through deployment, sent me gifts, and we met in person. We’re still friends on Facebook, and he knows he always has a friend near Baltimore.” — Angel Gina

Like a Letter From Home
“A Marine once told me that all of his mail from family had been returned to sender. He said hearing about my dogs and garden felt just like getting a letter from his mom.” — Angel Deborah

From Letters to Weddings
“One of my adopted Service Members from five years ago is now a family friend—he even invited me to his wedding! My dogs always make them laugh. I tell them: If you ever see a woman with ratty hair, a bathrobe, and one shoe chasing a German Shepherd with the other shoe in its mouth—that’s probably me. Be sure to honk!” — Angel Beth

Write a Letter. Make a Difference.

These stories are just a glimpse of the impact our Angels have when they pick up a pen. For many Service Members, especially those who don’t have family or friends regularly writing to them, these letters are reminders that they are seen, supported, and appreciated.

Join the mission. Become a Soldiers’ Angels volunteer and bring a bit of home to a deployed hero through the power of your words. Get started by registering as a volunteer here.

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