How to Include Deployed Troops on Your Holiday Card List

The holiday season is a time filled with sharing joy and connecting with loved ones near and far. But not everyone will be home for the holidays, including service members across the globe.

One thing rings true for all warriors who have been separated from family to serve their country: Receiving a letter from home, at any time of year, is the most uplifting feeling a deployed service member can get. It serves as a reminder that they are loved and appreciated for their service and sacrifice — that they are not alone in spirit.

“I think it is important that the American community knows and recognizes that we still have service members who are being wounded, injured, and becoming ill every day on deployments from all different parts of the world.  For example, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) treats patients from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East,” said Kristy Hogan, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) international Alumni manager.  

That means any deployed service members from those parts of the world who become wounded, ill, or injured usually go to LRMC first before returning to the U.S. 

“This is always hard for them since they've been pulled from their deployment and their team and alone in a hospital in Germany, not knowing what will happen next,” Kristy said. “Even though it is an American military hospital on a military installation, they are still away from everyone they know.”

This feeling of isolation can be especially hard during the holiday season, which is why letters from home are so impactful.

Are you considering including deployed troops or wounded warriors on your holiday card list this year but don’t know where to start? Here is some guidance to consider.

Do’s and Don’ts When Making Cards for Troops

• Be positive and upbeat: Do not discuss things like politics, making the ultimate sacrifice/death, religion, scripture, etc. Instead, thank them for their service.
• Share about yourself: Discuss things like holiday traditions, but do not give out personal information like your address so you don’t receive any unwanted mailings or communications.
• Get creative: Have fun decorating or drawing on your cards, but do not include glitter, confetti, or objects with your card to protect any medical equipment or other areas from getting messy.
• Do not place cards in individual envelopes – the organization sending cards will do that for you.

Get your creativity flowing and share the joy of the season and a warm hug from home. Make a service member smile and let them know their service and sacrifice is appreciated, now and always.

How to Send Your Holiday Cards

Use one of these resources to send cards, letters, care packages, and more to troops near and far.

• Send a card any time of year through Wounded Warrior Project to be distributed to warrior bedsides in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and other medical facilities. Send your cards to:

Card(s) for troops

4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300

Jacksonville, FL 32256
 

• Contact A Million Thanks, an organization that has sent more than 14 million letters to troops and their families.

• Send cards through Hugs for Soldiers and remember to look at their guidelines. Send your cards to:

Duluth First United Methodist Church

3208 Duluth Hwy. 120

Duluth, GA  30096
 

• The Military Holiday Card Challenge has delivered more than 1 million cards. You can send another by participating in one of their many card challenges throughout the year or hosting your own challenge.

• Send a letter or postcard to a soldier, sailor, Marine, or airman through Operation Postcard by Blue Star Moms. Send your letters to:

East Bay Blue Star Moms

P.O. Box 2537

San Ramon, CA 94583
 

• Show your appreciation alongside Support Our Troops® by giving cards and letters. Remember to check out their guidelines and send your cards to:

Support Our Troops®

Care Goods

P.O. Box 696

Ayden, NC 28513
 

Sending words of encouragement and appreciation is one of the easiest ways to support our nation’s service members — during the holidays or any time of year. Spread the word and get your family, friends, and neighbors involved to write cards full of encouragement and happy thoughts for servicemen and women to take with them.

Contact: Kaitlyn McCue, Public Relations, kmccue@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.870.1964

About Wounded Warrior Project 

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.