My little cousin is in Basic Training at the Air Force Academy. I want to write him-a lot. I know you're not supposed to put inserts in the cards, or put stickers or hearts on the outside envelope, etc., and no care packages. So I'm left with only words to show I love him, I support him, and I'm proud of him. Any former servicemen or women out there who can help me figure out what to say? I plan to write MANY letters, so I need lots of ideas!
2006-07-05 11:41:46 · 11 answers · asked by Jacida 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Thank you so much! Keep the answers coming!
(I've written two letters so far!)
2006-07-05 12:59:05 · update #1
I wish I had some ideas for you but I do not. I wanted to chime in though, to wish you and him the best of luck. Just knowing that you support him and are proud of him, will mean more then you can imagine. More so if he ever gets shipped overseas.
The only thing I would suggest in addition to what you have said is that you should be there not only to encourage him, but to listen.
2006-07-05 11:46:48 · answer #1 · answered by tm_tech32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband graduated from the AF Academy. Although I didn't know him then, here is what I have learned about his time then.
During the first year or two, their lives are controlled 24/7. Remind him of "normal life" on the outside. Everyday trivia from back home will help him remember that there is a life outside the Academy walls.
Ask him questions that will require him to respond back about life at the Academy. Things like, what was the worst thing that happened in the last week/month? What was the best? What was the most rewarding? What was the most frustrating? Etc. These questions will give him a chance to ventilate about the hard times, as well as the good times. This ventilating may be the only opportunity he has to blow off steam about things that bug him and help him keep his experiences in perspective. And always let him know that you are proud of him, that if possible, you are looking out for his family, and that you love him.
Good luck to your cousin.
2006-07-05 19:26:24 · answer #2 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell him exactly how you feel and how blessed you are to have such an outstanding individual as your family member and you're his Friend, mentor, etc. and will always be with him for the good and the bad etc. I have 3 friends @ the academy, and I write letters to one of them, b/c I instant message most of time all of them. When I write, or wrote to her, she was a 4 dig, but finishing her year, b/c I met her through someone else. I just kept her updated with my life and any questions about the academy and how she's doing and she'd did/does the same. I also have a friend who plans on attending next year, if accepted, but have no doubt she will, so I know when I write her, I'll just have humor, they need that a lot and encourage her. Good luck. contact me if you want more advice, I can ask my friends, what their letters were like etc.
2006-07-05 18:54:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, the best things I heard was just stories about what everyone was up to. I remember the simple, everyday things that my family would do all the time really cheered me up. Stuff like "Dad has been mowing the lawn a lot recently. He really likes his rider-mower" or "Sister is getting more excited for school to start, she has been reorganizing her pencils and binders for three weeks now" really was delightful to read. It made it feel like I was a part of it for a short while.
2006-07-05 19:36:55 · answer #4 · answered by A Guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just write him letters and more letters about every day stuff ,about the dog, about the weather, jokes he can tell his buddies, and ask him about what he is learning. Reassure him because they teach him alot of stuff fast and he may become overwhelmed.
2006-07-18 21:43:55 · answer #5 · answered by Mother of a Marine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple Diary or journal of the life he is missing. We miss the simple things and having a life.
2006-07-06 07:34:45 · answer #6 · answered by devildogperez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just let him know what is happening at home, how his family is and his friends . Tell him how you are all proud of him and that you love him.
2006-07-05 18:46:03 · answer #7 · answered by antiekmama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this site will help you or not but please research it and you may learn from it what you might like to do. This is for Basic Cadet Training
http://www.usafa.af.mil/
2006-07-18 22:40:31 · answer #8 · answered by AL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell him u love him and are supporting him
hey, im proud of him, he's serving our country
yeah, put "mr.oriental if proud of u too"
2006-07-05 19:32:46 · answer #9 · answered by mr.oriental 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you not to put anything that would make his time there difficult.
2006-07-16 13:57:25 · answer #10 · answered by II_real 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋