Letters to Servicemen

Last month I saw a small item in The Times that asked the public to write to “Any Servicemen” stationed in the Middle East with Desert Shield. I wrote a one-page letter that reached a Marine sergeant in the desert. I was happy to receive his letter and promptly wrote him back. The following week I received yet another letter from a weather expert on one of the U.S. carriers in the gulf.

What really gets my goose bumps going is that I wrote one letter and am receiving numerous letters from different armed forces personnel which means that my letter must be making the rounds through the ranks somehow.

That to me is ironic, because earlier this month I heard on the news that letters have been pouring in so fast, that they are asking people to not write any more due to the volume of letters already received.

Mostly the men miss their country and loved ones, but are keeping a stiff upper lip. They asked me to send news clippings to keep them updated on their situation.

I will continue to write to them, and hope for their speedy return.

LESLIE K. SIEGEL

Los Angeles