Letters from a TwoFront War is a collaborative effort between the Military Times newspapers and USA WEEKEND.

The recipients of these letters, men and women in uniform deployed in the war on terrorism, or family members and friends back home, are seeing these letters for the first time.


What's Inside

Read letters to and
from deployed troops


Post a message to deployed troops

Share your letters

Discuss Letters from
a Two-Front War


See letters written by children
to deployed troops




Seaman Apprentice Jason Knight, assigned to the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, based in Washington, D.C., was a member of the military honors detail for the funerals of some of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Knight, who has been in the Navy less than a year, is the son of Theresa Lee Borsello, a nurse in Marcus Hook, Pa.

Dear Mom,

Let me first tell you how much I miss you. We’re in this war and it scares me. It hit me incredibly hard when we buried those who died in the Pentagon. I actually started to cry, even though I wasn’t supposed to. We’re supposed to stand tight for the duration of the ceremony. But seeing the families, seeing them cry uncontrollably, just kills me. One funeral we did was for a former Ceremonial Guardsman. I felt the pain of that family.

Click here for full letter



      

For Air Force noncommissioned officer Anna F., who asked that her family’s identity be withheld, this is not the first, or the longest, deployment away from home. Her husband, who is also in the military, is at home taking care of their 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.

Dear husband and children,

I love you very much and thank you for keeping me in each of your hearts. I miss you so much! Knowing you’re praying for me and taking care of each other helps me do my job here. I can’t wait to call again and hear your voices!

Click here for full letter