"Finally! A New Breakthrough Training Program Allows You To Personally Support Our Troops AND Their Families …"
From:
Chaplain (COL) Greg Schannep
U.S. Army, Retired
Killeen, Texas
(Home to Fort Hood)
Dear Fellow American Patriot,
At this moment, as we’re safe and comfortable, there are American Soldiers half a world away literally placing their lives on the line. They won’t get rich, don’t ask for fame, and they do it all under the strain of long separations from those they love.
And what are we as citizens asked to do?
Nothing.
Isn’t it about time we change that?
As a former Chaplain, I find this intolerable. Everywhere I go, people are asking me “How can I give back to the Soldiers who give us all so much?”
In a minute I’ll tell you about a brand-new training program that will allow you to Support our Troops in a deeply personal way.
But first I want to tell you the
story of how my life changed when I discovered a letter hidden for 40 years from a father
I never knew.
And how that story just might help you help our Soldiers …
So how can we Support our Troops?
Can a letter from the heart really make a difference? I know from personal experience it can. Here’s my story …
What would it mean to you to have a letter like that from your Mom or Dad?
How would you feel if you could help a U.S, Soldier give a gift like that to their family?
The U.S. military does the best job in the world making sure our Soldiers are prepared for war. But there’s another war we’re sadly falling behind on.
As Soldiers risk their lives in the streets and in the desert, they are also fighting another, more insidious war on the home front. It is a war they were not trained for, and one they are not equipped to fight.
The Army’s divorce rate has jumped more than 80% since the September 11 terrorist attacks
Among Army officers the divorce rate has shot up more than 300% since the year 2000
Divorce lawyers around Fort Hood hire extra staff whenever a division prepares to come home
Thousands of children of Soldiers are growing up without knowing their father or mother. Many parent Soldiers fear they don’t know how to communicate their deepest values to their children
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army
In 2007 the Army announced its suicide rate was the highest in 26 years
Many Soldiers are losing their sense of purpose and mission as the war goes on and only 11% report high or very high unit morale
As Private Ray Hall was quoted in the Los Angeles Times article Shrapnel from Home*
“Your wife is cheating on you … and there’s nothing you can do about it.
You think about that more than you do a bomb on the side of the road.*”
*The Los Angeles Times, Shrapnel from Home, July 15, 2005.
86% of Soldiers strongly agreed or agreed, Stronger Relationships at home mean greater Mission Focus.
Soldier’s Letter Writing Kit, Training DVD, Leader’s Guide and More
Letters from a Soldier’s Heart is a revolutionary communications program that connects the hearts and minds of Soldiers with those they love through the lost art of letter writing.
Using Letters from a Soldier’s Heart, Chaplains give their Soldiers a Mission to write a set of five heart-felt letters to connect more deeply with the most important people of their lives.
By the end of the program,Soldiers will have written five letters of a kind few people will ever write in their lifetimes.
The First Letter is to their spouse, brother or sister, best friend or someone special. This letter alone has literally saved marriages, mended relationships and brought greater peace to Soldiers
The Second Letter is for their children or someone younger who looks up to them. This letter strengthens the bond between generations
The Third Letter is to their parents, grandparents, guardians or mentors. This letter lets these people know what an impact they’ve had on your Soldiers and can help repair difficult relationships
The Fourth Letter is a Legacy Letter that lasts beyond them and reflects who they are at their core– and who they are determined to become. It leaves a legacy to their families and the people they love. Soldiers report writing this letter is one of the most meaningful experiences they’ve ever had. And two-thirds say it helped them define their highest values.Defining their highest values in turn raises their standards to help them become even better Soldiers
The Fifth Letter, Why I Serve …, reminds Soldiers of their deeper purpose and commitment in becoming a member of the U.S. Army and has been used for Promotion Points to help Soldiers attain a higher rank
“I Heard and I Forgot. I Saw and I Remembered. I Did and I Learned.”– Ancient Proverb
The learning in Letters from a Soldier’s Heart is experiential and involves multiple senses to help make it stick. Soldiers hear the Chaplain’s words and questions to get them started on their letters, watch videos, discuss topics relevant to them, and, most importantly, write the letters that can change lives.
It's the Right Thing to Do What would holding a heartfelt letter of blessing and encouragement from your Mom or Dad mean to you? What about a cherished family letter from your Father or Grandfather where he shared the life lessons he was learning while fighting for his country in World War II? Is there a greater gift you can give our Soldiers?
Stronger Relationships = Stronger SoldiersThis is how we get both
We Don’t Give Soldiers a Weapon Without Teaching Them How To Use It. Yet We Send Them Half Way Around the World Without Training Them How To Keep In Touch With Those They Love The U.S. military is already doing a great job of training our Soldiers for battle. Letters from a Soldier’s Heart gives them the additional tools for the whole-person training they need
Sharper Mission Focus With improved support at home, Soldiers will be better equipped to carry out their Missions in the field
Leadership Begins at Home An often neglected opportunity for any Soldier’s leadership development is to be the leader of their relationships at home. As Lt. Colonel Hal Moore said in the movie We Were Soldiers when asked about being a parent and a Soldier, “I hope that being good at the one makes me better at the other.”
Purpose = Mission = Reason to Stay Alive Expressing their most deeply held values, what they ultimately stand for and why they serve reminds Soldiers why they must live to see their missions through
Unit Cohesion Soldiers build cohesion and bonding in a unique and meaningful way by breaking down the barriers together and sharing their letters as they see fit. “Small unit cohesion” is recognized by military experts as the most powerful force that keeps Soldiers fighting
Promote Family CohesionPromote the Family through the lost art of letter writing
Quicker Reconnects with Family When Soldiers come home, they have lived worlds apart in more ways than one. Without a deeper understanding, sometimes getting back together can more painful than being apart. Writing warm letters of love, blessing and encouragement is one way to bridge the gap and make coming home a little smoother
Promotion Points Commanders have used Letters from a Soldier’s Heart to enhance Soldiers’ careers by offering Promotion Points for completion of the program
Reduce Stress The best way to handle stress is to do something about it. Soldiers may not be able to do something about all their problems, but they can always find a way to give to those most dear to them. This program will show them how
Basic Principles Chaplains discuss and instill basic values common to all religions
How do You Love Your Family from Half a World Away? Put yourself in the position of a Soldier. How would you love your family from half a world away? Give a rich and special gift to those who have given their all
Give Soldiers the Tools They Need to Win The War on the Home Front!
Soldier’s Kits
Soldier’s Letter Writing Kit
Each Soldier gets a step-by-step Letter Writing Guide, pen, paper and envelopes, all in a strong, lightweight zippered pouch – Everything they need for a turnkey program.
Soldier’s Letter Writing Guide
Sample pages from Soldier’s Letter Writing Guide:Model letter (left), Prep Sheet (right)
Contains everything Soldiers need to help them follow the Chaplain’s lead:
Basic Principles for Great Letter Writing – How to really connect with the people at home
The Five Golden Rules for Writing Letters – Soldiers follow these steps to write more effective letters than they ever thought possible
How to get even more out of the program – Getting the most out of the program will help them clear their minds and focus on their mission
“My Commitment” – A commitment they sign to complete the program and follow through
Sample letters that serve as models to make letter writing a breeze
Prep Sheets with sample questions to get them started so they’ll never be left wondering what to write next
And more
Each proud Soldier receives a Certificate of Completion from the Chaplain at the end of the course.
Leader’s Packs
Chaplain’s Leader’s Pack
Each Chaplain or leader of the course gets a detailed Leader’s Guide and a Training DVD.
Leader’s Guide
The Leader’s Guide contains a completely turnkey process. There’s no guesswork, as Chaplains follow a tried and true system.
Here’s just a sample of what the Leader’s Guide includes:
Step-by-step guidelines for each session on what to discuss, which handouts to give, when to watch the training session on the DVD, key take-away points, assigning a Battle Buddy (an Accountability Buddy), and more. Everything they need to run an effective, foolproof training session
List of Positive Character Traits – Used when writing letters to praise and affirm loved ones
Inspirational stories – To encourage Soldiers to stay connected in a deeper, more positive way
List of Values – Used when defining the Core Values Soldiers stand for – This will raise the standards Soldiers set for themselves
Additional Sample Letters for Soldiers to model
Questions to prompt the Soldiers so they will never experience writer’s block but instead will know exactly what to say
Course Sign In and Tracking Sheet – What gets measured improves. This sheet helps Chaplains keep track and focus Soldiers on finishing their letters
And more
Training DVD
The Training DVD is packed with instruction and inspirational clips to make each Training Session come alive … all while engaging the troops to keep them involved
Provides a great source of discussion material through stories that are relevant to Soldiers’ lives and the letter they’re about to write
Proven methods for deeper, richer relationships with the most important people of their lives. Soldiers agree, Stronger Relationships at Home = Stronger Mission Focus
And by the way, all our products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
Some time ago when this program was developed, I said "This letter program has changed my life. We need to take 300,000 Soldiers through this – and we need it now! The impact of this is going to be phenomenal." Well, those words are still true. The concept is still part of my life, and after thirty years of working with Soldiers and their families, I know the importance of communications and how it affects families for the better. The "lost art of letter writing" is something that will provide real spiritual and emotional healing during family separations impacted by the Global War on Terrorism. As we hear about family dysfunction and emotional struggles among our deployed military, "the art of letter writing" is truly the oil that brings true healing and solace to families.
Chaplain Ralph G. Benson
U.S. Army, Retired
Last assigned as Pentagon Chaplain
"What a great idea – writing edifying letters to bond families and friends. Research shows that improving communication is one of the most important tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and also we are happiest when we are giving to others. So the concept makes sense. Letters from a Soldier's Heart is an effective way to reduce stress and help Soldiers focus on their missions, and at the same time brings peace of mind to family and friends. The materials are some of the strongest I’ve seen and the program is well executed."
Marcelo Dratcu, MD Specialist in Behavioral Medicine and Stress Reduction
“This program psychologically arms soldiers against dying because they are reminded of their purpose. Commitment to others and one’s ideals makes you more alert, more aware and less likely to be self destructive.
The power of Letters from a Soldier’s Heart lies in moving from the superficial to deep emotional connection with those most important to them. This can mitigate long-term stress consequences.
The Fourth Letter reminds me of an assignment I gave when I taught at West Point. Having cadets write their own obituary was the most powerful emotional thing I’ve done in 30 years of teaching.
The Fifth Letter is a critical piece to help Soldiers make meaning out of their experience. They can say for themselves why they’re going to war and what it means to them.
This program can cause a reduction in the intensity and duration of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), strengthen and save marriages and family relationships.
There are three phases of military training:
1.
Cohesion – The groundwork
2.
Leading on the battlefield – Executing
3.
Bringing them home
This program hits on all three of these phases!
It is just as important as tactical training."
Dr. Howard T. Prince, II Clinical Professor and holder of the Loyd Hackler Endowed Chair in Ethical
Leadership Director, Center for Ethical Leadership, The University of Texas at Austin PhD in Clinical Psychology Graduate of West Point Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired) Presented the Distinguished Service Medal, the Army's highest award for service
Letters from a Soldier’s Heart is brand new. But already we’ve received more positive stories, evaluations, testimonials and After-Action Reviews (AARs) than we can list. Here are just a few:
“LFSH is good as is. Made a big impact on me. I now have most of a letter to my dad that I have been putting off because he and I have had a bad relationship. I hope the letter will let him know how I feel and change us for the better.” Brandon A., Army
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army
“This course hits straight to the heart and soul, wrenching feelings out that you never knew existed. You guys did an excellent job.”
“It was right on the money and to the point.”C. Wolf, Army
“Give it to the rest of the Soldiers in the U.S. Army.”
“Letters from a Soldier’s Heart touched me deeply, and the whole program was put together perfectly.”Juan Tienda, Army
“It was a complete success. The guys really got a lot out of it. I knew it was a success when the guys told me about presenting the letters to their loved ones and being blown away by their responses. This is a great program.”Chaplain John Boyer, Army
“These guys are young, mostly 18 – 20 years old. Normally they’d be thinking more about their Play Station than writing letters to their family … But Letters from a Soldier’s Heart changed them. I saw them mature years right in front of my eyes.” Chaplain, Army
One Chaplain had a Soldier who was fighting to save his marriage.“I used the information from the Letter Writing Guide and the template from the first letter to teach him how to write to his wife before the first class even started. It worked.The Soldier and his wife were both so moved, they’ve started healing their marriage as he is about to deploy.”Chaplain, Army
“I felt it was a wonderful course and I believe it would help Soldiers hold on to their families while away.”Samuel Begol, Army
"It was lights out on a moonless night at base in Iraq. It's the only time everyone is anonymous and rank means nothing. I'm an officer and I was talking with an enlisted Soldier, and the topic of Letters from a Soldier's Heart came up. The enlisted solder said, ‘It's awesome! My wife was all set to leave me. But then we wrote that first letter. And now she just loves me!'"
“Continue to tell Soldiers to hold nothing back when they write letters home to friends and family. Write every letter as if it were your last!”
“It’s critical to every person in life who loves someone.”Jason Meloy, Army
“The program is excellent!”
“After being deployed for so long, it makes you look at yourself and what defines you!”
“The program is excellent! … I think this course should be mandatory and help Soldiers bring the traditional conversation back in this technological era.”George Bagley, Army
“It is a very helpful program. It makes you think about your values at heart.”
“Even if the Soldier acts like they do not wish to do this, in their heart they do. I know it helps." J. Langworthy, Army
“My brother and I have never got to know each other. … I think that through this letter, it will help him understand who I am and what he means to me.”
“This program is awesome.”Jeff Wheat, Army
“It was an outstanding letter writing class.”
“Give more classes like this one.”Spencer Lewis, Army
“It went above and beyond what I expected.”
“Great program! Thanks for the support.”J. Schuey, Army
“The class is very good because it makes think about whether or not those close to you know how you truly feel. It also helps people who aren't that articulate or good at expressing themselves with something to work off of with the examples.”Kenny Pyles, Army
“Have the class before deployment, considering some passed before having the chance to realize these things or to hear them.”
"The effect LFSH had in my battalion can be measured by the energy my command put behind it. I was in a Combined Arms Battalion with 930 Soldiers. Our Headquarters and Headquarters Company had almost 250 Soldiers and was made up of Scouts, Medics, Commo, Mortars, Field Artillery, Military Intelligence and Planning Soldiers. We had two Infantry Companies, two Tanker Companies, a Combat Engineer Company and a Forward Support Company. That’s a lot of Soldiers coming from every walk of the military life. To say we were busy in Iraq is like saying it’s hot there: It’s a little obvious.
With a battalion that big and deployed to combat in Iraq, my command made each Soldier get a LFSH kit and go through the training while downrange.
Each company rotated through the chapel, the videos were shown and I guided these Soldiers to write letters home. No one likes anything that is mandatory, however, the Soldiers could not argue with success. Stress in relationships diminishes, wives and husbands had loving conversations at the phone centers, sons and daughters were connected to their parents, and kids had a precious letter from their parent. There was only one negative comment shared by Soldiers: they said, “We should have done this before we deployed.”
Letters From a Soldier’s Heart walks Soldiers through a deeply meaningful letter writing process. It pushes the writer into honesty and allows them to intimately connect with their loved ones. There is no place where that is more important than when Soldiers are at war. This program is a must have for a battalion kit bag. Strong relationships mean strong Soldiers and LFSH helps to keep families strong when they are separated by war."
Where does the money go? What percentage of my donation goes to Soldiers?
At least 90% of your donation will directly toward providing Soldiers with the Kits they need to go through the program. We’re an organization you can trust.
You support the Soldiers with your donations, and the Army takes care of the Leader’s Packs. The cost of the Leader’s Packs spread out over a number of Soldiers makes this a bargain for the Military.
Is Letters from a Soldier’s Heart a not for profit?
Not yet! But we’re on our way to becoming one. So we can’t offer you a tax deduction at this time. If this makes you less inclined to give, I understand.
But there are Soldiers and their families out there right now who need and deserve this program. If you feel this is right, please don’t let paperwork delay you in giving support to Soldiers who need it now.
What about Soldiers who aren’t deployed overseas?
No problem. Letters from a Soldier’s Heart is about connecting Soldiers with the most important people of their lives and giving them the tools to do so. It’s equally valid whether their families are on base or half way around the world.
Can I support a particular Soldier I know?
To keep costs as low as possible, we’ll make your donation part of a large order. We’ll support the troops who need this program the most or for special rewards or prizes. As a result of making sure your donation goes as far as possible, we do not provide the Kits to specific Soldiers but rather to groups such as battalions.
How will I know what happened to my donation?
If you’re on our mailing list, you’ll get an update of where your donation went. I’ll give you the results and stories of the difference you helped to make in the lives of Soldiers and their families.
What about those who don’t support the war in Iraq?
Whether you support the war or you hate it, if you support our troops you can support them with LFSH. Letters from a Soldier’s Heart will be needed even when there is no war. Soldiers and their families will always need to find a way to deeply connect with one another, whether at war or in peace.
How much does this cost?
Less than you might think. For the price of a modest meal, Soldiers and their families will enrich their lives. See here for donations.
Has this been tested in the field?
Yes, absolutely. Letters from a Soldier’s Heart has benefited thousands of Soldiers at Fort Hood, Iraq, Kuwait and elsewhere. Here’s some of what we learned:
While fighting day to day in Iraq, a Battalion from the 4th Infantry Division went through Letters from a Soldier’s Heart.
In these less than ideal conditions, while risking their lives daily, here’s what the Soldiers had to say:
Over 8 in 10 strongly agreed or agreed they would recommend this program to other Soldiers
Almost a third said they had a difficult relationship with someone they wrote to. Of these, Soldiers who said the letter helped the relationship outnumbered those who said it did not by 5 to 1
86% of Soldiers strongly agreed or agreed, Stronger Relationships at home mean greater Mission Focus
For every $10 you give, a real, live U.S. Soldier will go through Letters from a Soldier’s Heart. This is not some abstraction. As a result of what you do, a U.S. Soldier will write five deep letters of love and affirmation to connect more deeply with the most important people in their life. More importantly, the Soldier will learn the skills to do so for a lifetime And the Soldier’s family and loved ones will be blessed and affirmed.
That’s just $2 per letter. When you consider that each letter literally has the potential to impact generations, why would you not want to give this gift to Soldiers?
Help a Soldier to communicate their deepest emotions and define what lies at their core. Help build – and rebuild – relationships with their family. Help them clear their mind and focus on their mission. Where else can you make such a big difference for so little?
How many Soldiers do you want to support?
You support the Soldiers with your donations. We’ll ask the Army to take care of the Leader’s Packs. To stretch your dollar, we’ll make your donation part of a large order to get the prices down as far as possible.
and we’ll send you a Certificate of Appreciation, to show your support for America’s Soldiers. I hate spam too, so we absolutely will not give your email address to anyone else.
Right now there are Soldiers preparing to serve our country who need and deserve this powerful program.
Years ago my father gave me a gift that literally changed my life. With your help, we have the chance to return the favor my father gave me to our Soldiers and their families.
If you can help just one Soldier or family member have an experience like mine, Letters from a Soldier’s Heart will be a huge success. Together we can give back to the Soldiers and their families who have given us all so much.
Thank you for your help.
God bless,
Chaplain (COL) Greg Schannep
U.S. Army, Retired
Killeen, Texas (Home to Fort Hood)
Carolyn Marshall / Dreanstime.com
P.S. The most consistent piece of advice we’ve received is that this program is best done before deployment, not after Soldiers have left. Right now there are Soldiers preparing to deploy. If you agree with me that Letters from a Soldier’s Heart is a powerful investment in our troops and their families, please don’t wait. Take action now. It’s just too important to put off.
ram has changed my life. We need to take 300,000 Soldiers through this – and we need it now! The impact of this is going to be phenomenal." Well, those words are still true. The concept is still part of my life, and after thirty years of working with Soldiers and their families, I know the importance of communications and how it affects families for the better. The "lost art of letter writing" is something that will provide real spiritual and emotional healing during family separations impacted by the Global War on Terrorism. As we hear about family dysfunction and emotional struggles among our deployed military, "the art of letter writing" is truly the oil that brings true healing and solace to families.
"What a great idea – writing edifying letters to bond families and friends. Research shows that improving communication is one of the most important tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and also we are happiest when we are giving to others. So the concept makes sense. Letters from a Soldier's Heart is an effective way to reduce stress and help Soldiers focus on their missions, and at the same time brings peace of mind to family and friends. The materials are some of the strongest I’ve seen and the program is well executed."
“This program psychologically arms soldiers against dying because they are reminded of their purpose. Commitment to others and one’s ideals makes you more alert, more aware and less likely to be self destructive.
"The effect LFSH had in my battalion can be measured by the energy my command put behind it. I was in a Combined Arms Battalion with 930 Soldiers. Our Headquarters and Headquarters Company had almost 250 Soldiers and was made up of Scouts, Medics, Commo, Mortars, Field Artillery, Military Intelligence and Planning Soldiers. We had two Infantry Companies, two Tanker Companies, a Combat Engineer Company and a Forward Support Company. That’s a lot of Soldiers coming from every walk of the military life. To say we were busy in Iraq is like saying it’s hot there: It’s a little obvious. 
