No LETTERS ???????

I got a letter from Cass today.  That is two days in a row!  It was not as up beat as yesterday's though.  He is "disheartened" because he has not gotten any letters from anyone other than his family and one letter from Paige.  Mollie told me earlier this week that she wrote him so he has just not gotten that yet.  I know that some of our family friends have written him as well but their letter would have crossed in the mail.  

However, it is most important to him to hear from his friends.  You all mean the world to him even if he has not told you.  PLEASE take a few minutes out of your day to write him.  I cannot express how isolated and home sick these soldiers are.  If you don't have time to write a letter then a simple card or post card  would really lift his spirits.  PLEASE READ in Cass' words:

13 Sep 08

[He starts his letter off...]  I have not received any letters from people outside of our family which is disheartening.  But who knows what is going on.  I sent two letters to ****, ****, and **** [I kept the names out].  Oh, I sent one to Paige and she wrote me back.

....

Getting letters from you guys really keeps me going.  I look forward to mail time every night.

He did not have an address for Chandler, AJ and Bree so he sent their letters to me today.  I will be sure they get them.  Just know that these soldiers have no connection to the outside world except letters from home.  No radio, TV or news.  He misses all you terribly.  Please let him know how you are doing.  He has repeatedly asked for some pictures of you all as well.  If  you want to drop off your letters, pictures or anything else, I would be happy to mail them for you.  Even better  you could email pictures to me at kim_marchant@sbcglobal.net and I will print them and mail them.  Thank you all!

He also included some details on his activities:

13:30  2 miles the other day. . . We have a running group called Alpha which consists of only 8 people (out of the Company which is 100-There is Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie running groups based on speed) who run twice a week together.  Yesterday we timed our 2 mile at 0500 and then immediately after ran 2.5 more miles at our Drill Sargent's pace who has the Ft. Leonard Wood record for the 2 mile and push ups.

Today we did bayonet training.  The training included an obstacle course.  We had to wear our ACH (combat helmet) and our LBV (backpack/vest).  At the end of the obstacle course we go the shit capped (smoked) out of us for not being loud enough during marching cadences (songs).

My goal is the max out my PT (physical training) score by the end of BCT which should not be a problem.  I also have decided that I am going to Ranger training before my contract is up.  You have to qualify for it and can only go when the Rangers ask for people on your post.

. . . 

Everyday it seems I have less and less energy.  But I figure that eventually I will hit a point and it will get better.  

Lights out I gotta go.