AnySoldier.com Supports Troops

Help on the Way for American Troops via AnySoldier.com
Civilian Organization Supports War Effort with Care Packages

If you have ever been "home sick" then you have some idea of how many of our deployed men and women in the military must feel. Families and friends of military members send letters and care packages to express their love and support. Historically many people without family or friends in the military would express their support and gratitude to the troops by sending mail addressed to "Any Soldier."

On September 11, 2001 the world changed. The terrorist responsible for the horrific attack on America made it clear that their goal was to destroy the American way of life and crush the spirit of freedom. Because of this ever present threat security measures in all walks of life have changed and unfortunately mail or packages addressed to “Any Soldier” are no longer accepted.

What the terrorist did not understand was the depth of character and strength that freedom has instilled in the citizens of the United States. Perhaps Patrick Henry summed it up when he said: " Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

In that spirit U.S. citizens have found many alternatives that allow for the continuance of life as we knew it before 911. One such person was Sergeant Brian Horn. Stationed in Iraq, he agreed to distribute packages to soldiers who did not receive mail. The idea exploded and Any Soldier® was born.

Sergeant Brian Horn spending time with some local children during a break.

Any Soldier Inc. started in August 2003 as a simple family effort to help the soldiers in one Army unit, thus our name. Due to overwhelming requests, on 1 January 2004 the Any Soldier^® effort was expanded to include any member, of any of the Armed Forces in harms way.

Back in 2003 when Marty and Sue Horn said goodbye to their son, Sergeant Brian Horn, an Army Infantry Soldier with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, they had no idea that in addition to their own son, they would later be heading up an organization that supports thousands of military personnel.

Any Soldier Inc. (www.AnySoldier.com) now helps nearly 100,000 American soldiers in all branches of the military, both active duty and reservists, and has become one of the leading efforts in making sure the men and women who have been deployed for the war are cared for, via letters and packages from “home.”

AnySoldier.com features emails from different military personnel regarding the type of support needed in the field. The support could be in the form of a simple letter or package, or it could toiletries, food or even newspapers and magazines. Donors address their letters and packages to the writer’s name, but also add the words “ATTN: Any Soldier” on the second line. The writer shares the mail with fellow servicemen and women. If there is “Any Soldier” who is not receiving a lot of mail from home, that soldier will be the first person to receive the letter.

“AnySoldier.com started as a simple family effort to help our son who was one of the 1,000 soldiers that parachuted into Northern Iraq back in March 2003,” explains Marty Horn, a 20-year Army veteran. “We knew his unit was living under very rough conditions so whenever we sent care packages to Brian , we always sent enough to share with fellow soldiers.”

Number of personnel currently serviced through AnySoldier.com :   Sex # Troops % Male 94,238 (81.02) Female 22,075 (18.98)   Total: 116,313

The organization grew through a network of family and friends. When the website launched in 2004, 7 soldiers had been added to AnySoldier’s contact list. One year later, the list has ballooned to over 3,500 contacts, and the web site has received over 4.5 million visitors from around the world. In August of 2005, AnySoldier.com also took on the names AnyMarine.com, AnyAirman.com, AnySailor.com and AnyCoastguardsman.com.

One international visitor is writer and Alabama native Priscilla Lalisse, who lives in Paris, France. During a recent trip back home to Alabama, Lalisse was touched by the number of servicemen she saw headed for Iraq and wanted to do something to help them. After doing some research over the Internet she found AnySoldier.com and proceeded to send an armful of letters and packages off to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Kosovo.

“I was so touched by the letters and when you’re living in Paris, you often feel so far away from the events taking place back home,” says Lalisse. “AnySoldier and the Horns have given us a chance to feel like we, too, can be a part of the support effort for our troops who are in harm’s way.”

For more information contact Marty Horn at Marty@anysoldier.com. Visit the website at www.anysoldier.com