"If we can bring smiles and laughter, even if it is just for a few minutes, to these people, well, then it is worth it," she said.

Schmidt 'adopted' Army National Guard Sgt. Tim Gallagher last year and sends care packages on a monthly basis. Although he enjoys the snacks and toiletries, he considers the journals the most moving and thoughtful of all the gifts he has received.

"They will be something I cherish for the rest of my life," he said via e-mail. "Something for the ages to look at and see how people really feel about what we are doing here."

Even when Schmidt does not have time to put together a care package, she tries to send her soldiers a postcard or short letter.
"The morale of soldiers can be made or broken from the amount of mail they do or do not receive."

If you would like to adopt a soldier, contact Robin Schmidt at find_robin@hotmail.com.