Americans support the troops with food, soap, DVDs

What do US soldiers need in Iraq? Probably not hand-knitted caps and booties.

"We're running into a lot of knitted items" in care packages, says Marine 1st Lieutenant Barry Edwards, public affairs officer for Regimental Combat Team Six in Fallujah. "Great job on the knitting, but we're starting to break 85 degrees [F.] ... and in about another month it's going to be over 100."

Four years into America's war in Iraq, public approval of the effort has fallen sharply, but private support for the troops looks as strong as ever. Since no official statistics exist, the evidence is necessarily anecdotal. Soldiers in war zones receive a steady influx of care packages and letters. Domestically, organizations that offer aid to soldiers and their families have enjoyed consistent support, and some have even grown.

After only three months in Iraq, Lieutenant Edwards has received over 200 care packages addressed to him. They came from friends, family, and complete strangers, he said in a phone interview, adding that he distributes most of them throughout the regiment.

"We definitely receive more now than in previous deployments. America's support for her troops has not waned," he says.

Other troops report similar experiences. "I have received so much stuff, I would be hard-pressed to say 'thanks' enough," writes Commander Paul Eich, a naval aviator working as an intelligence officer in Baghdad, in an e-mail. Commander Eich, speaking as a citizen, not a representative of the US military or government, says he once received two boxes with enough hand sanitizer to last him over six months.

Army Pvt. Ryan Zarzecki, from the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment in southern Baghdad, said he's often surprised to get mail from a stranger.

"Anything you get in the mail that's not a bill is a nice thing," he says with a smile.

Mailing letters to troops deployed overseas has become much easier, contributing to the steady support. With over four years to build up bases and establish effective logistical supply routes, mail service has drastically improved since 2003.

During and immediately after the initial invasion of Iraq, it could often take months for packages to reach soldiers at the "tip of the sword." Now care packages mailed from the United States can arrive just about anywhere in Iraq within seven to 10 days. Mail sent shortly after soldiers deploy sometimes arrives in Iraq before they do.

Significant support has come from private groups. AnySoldier.com, for example, allows individuals with or without a connection to the military to send letters or packages to US forces deployed in dangerous places. Service members create a post on the site and list the items their unit needs or would appreciate. People wishing to support soldiers can search the postings, find one that appeals to them, and send the unit a care package.

Marty Horn, a retired Army sergeant 1st class, and his wife founded AnySoldier.com in August 2003 to support their son's unit deployed in northern Iraq. Mr. Horn and his wife were "going broke" sending their son care packages when he asked for more because he'd been sharing his packages with colleagues who didn't get mail.

To meet their son's request, Horn and his wife enlisted the help of their friends. Four months later AnySoldier.com was helping to connect US troops deployed in any war zone with care packages and letters. Now AnySoldier.com helps an estimated 115,134 soldiers.

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