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As the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veteran population ages, fitting tributes and special programs honoring their service have become more prevalent in recent years.
A Way to Say Thank You
While it’s well deserved, the honors sometimes leave a younger generation of veterans, specifically soldiers from the post-9/11 wars, feeling left out.
A Million Thanks, a nonprofit organization, aims to address that issue through a letter-writing campaign, according to a press release from EIN Presswire. While A Million Thanks has spearheaded letter programs for veterans before, this is the first time the nonprofit is fueling a campaign designed for veterans of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Veterans can go online and pull up the www.AMillionThanks.org/request page, click on the “Request Letters” tab, and ask for a free package of 22 handwritten notes. The letters will carry a message of gratitude and encouragement. And, since veterans tend to be a humble bunch, friends and family members can register for the letters on a veteran’s behalf.
Over Two Decades of Support
A Million Thanks has worked for more than two decades to deliver boxes of letters through the mail to veterans, either still living at home or in assisted care facilities throughout the U.S. The organization’s new initiative is geared toward a younger generation of veterans who live on their own and sometimes yearn for personal connections.
“These letters remind veterans that their service still matters,” said Michele Holley, executive director of A Million Thanks. “We know that isolation and disconnection can quietly impact mental health. A simple act—like opening a letter—can shift perspective and remind someone they are not alone.”
Every package features personal, handwritten notes by volunteers coming from different age groups and walks of life. So far, veterans have embraced the program, describing the joy of receiving a bundle of letters as “uplifting and grounding,” according to the press release.
“I keep my letters in a drawer by my bed,” said one Army veteran who was sent a package in September. “When the noise in my head gets too loud, I read one. It reminds me that people still care.”
A little bit of effort can go a long way. Especially when someone – in this case, total strangers – takes time to sit down, put pen to paper and handwrite a letter, a simple act of kindness that has become a lost art in this digital world filled with instant gratification.
In the press release, A Million Thanks said that studies have documented how meaningful and positive interactions can help a veteran struggling with mental health issues. Reaching out to someone in need can help prevent loneliness and isolation, two main causes of suicide.
“This new program ensures that no veteran, regardless of age or location, misses the reminder that their life and service continue to matter,” said the organization.
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16 Comments
The article mentions that the letters are written by volunteers from different age groups and walks of life, which I think is a great way to show veterans that people from all backgrounds care about their service and well-being.
I’m curious to know how A Million Thanks plans to reach out to veterans who may not have access to the internet or may not know about the program, as the article mentions that veterans can request letters online.
I appreciate how the article highlights the importance of handwritten letters in a digital age, it’s a lost art that can have a significant impact on someone’s life.
The statistic that veterans can request a free package of 22 handwritten notes is impressive, and I hope that many veterans take advantage of this opportunity to receive some well-deserved gratitude and encouragement.
The fact that A Million Thanks has delivered boxes of letters to veterans in assisted care facilities throughout the US is a great way to reach out to those who may be feeling isolated or disconnected.
Yes, and it’s also important to note that the program is not just limited to veterans in care facilities, but also to those living on their own who may be yearning for personal connections.
The fact that A Million Thanks has been working for over two decades to deliver boxes of letters to veterans is truly remarkable, and their new initiative to focus on post-9/11 veterans is a great step in recognizing the service of a younger generation of veterans.
I completely agree, it’s about time we start recognizing the sacrifices made by post-9/11 veterans, they deserve our gratitude and support.
I think it’s great that friends and family members can register for the letters on a veteran’s behalf, as it can be a thoughtful way to show appreciation for their service.
I’m excited to learn more about the 2024 Fort McCoy 9/11 Memorial Run and Stair Climb, and how events like these can help raise awareness and support for post-9/11 veterans.
The quote from the Army veteran who keeps the letters in a drawer by their bed and reads them when they need reminding that people care is a powerful testament to the impact of this program.
It’s amazing how a simple letter can have such a profound effect on someone’s mental health and well-being, it just goes to show the importance of human connection.
I’m skeptical about the effectiveness of a letter-writing campaign in addressing the mental health issues faced by post-9/11 veterans, but I suppose it’s a good starting point for a larger conversation about veteran support.
I’m concerned that the program may not be able to reach all post-9/11 veterans, especially those who may be struggling with mental health issues or feeling disconnected from their communities.
That’s a valid concern, but I think it’s a good start and hopefully, the program can expand and reach more veterans in the future.
The executive director of A Million Thanks, Michele Holley, makes a great point about how isolation and disconnection can impact mental health, and how a simple act like opening a letter can shift perspective and remind someone they are not alone.