"You've Got Mail..."

Photo By Spc. Ryan Stroud | Staff Sgt. Michael Addesso, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, picks up a package to be taking inside the brigade's mail room.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

11.04.2006

Story by Spc. Ryan Stroud 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

by Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd BCT, 1st Cal. Div PAO

BAQUBAH, Iraq (Nov. 4, 2006) -- "There is nothing in the world that is better than receiving mail," said Sgt. Agustin Sanchez – and he would know.

As the certified mail clerk for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, it is his mission to make sure all the Soldiers from the "Grey Wolf" brigade get the mail they look forward to receiving.

Sanchez, who waits until after lunch to pick up mail from the post office, returns to his office and begins the sorting process. Sanchez said he knows he has to work quickly to meet the needs of those around him.

"Most Soldiers don't get their mail until after they get back from work," said the El Paso, Texas native. "When you come home from a long day of working hard or being on a patrol, nothing beats coming back and hearing, 'Hey, you've got mail!'"

"When I get mail it's like Christmas every month because I don't get many packages back home," said Spc. Eddie Quintero, HHC, 3BCT, and a native of San Diego, Calif. "It's like a piece of home in a box."

With the internet being provided at the bases Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility, many Soldiers can go there to receive e-mails or pictures from a loved one. While e-mail is nice because of its timely delivery, Sanchez said he would rather have a hand written letter.

"Receiving a letter beats getting an e-mail any day," Sanchez said.

"There is no better way to say 'I love you' to a Soldier overseas than sending a hand-written letter," added Sanchez. "To take the time to sit down with a pen and paper, it just makes Soldiers feel loved. It reminds them of home."

"Mail is love in an envelope," said Pfc. Freddie Scott Jr., HHC, 3BCT, and a native of Tallahassee, Fl. "Mail is like fuel that motivates me, and it lets me know people care about me and appreciate what I am doing for my country."

Feeling loved is something Sanchez said all Soldiers need, adding the letters he hands out lift the Soldiers' spirits.

"It is the biggest morale booster in the world," he said. "Any Soldier will tell you that."

"Sometimes that's all you need -- to know someone appreciates what you are doing," added Scott.

"I remember my last deployment to Iraq," said Sanchez, remembering the letters and drawings he used to get from children in the states.

"It just makes you smile and it does raise your morale way up," he said. "I kept those drawings with me -- they meant a lot."

People taking time out of their busy day to remember the Soldiers who are fighting hard for them overseas are what make the Soldiers keep going everyday, said Sanchez.

"From a colonel all the way down to a private, nothing is better than receiving a hand-written letter, pictures or a care package from a loved one," said Sanchez. "It reminds you that there is someone out there who cares about what you are doing and appreciates it. They appreciate your efforts."

• Date Taken: 11.04.2006
• Date Posted: 11.05.2006 19:50
• Story ID: 8209
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ