KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The boxes of letters arrive at Kandahar Airfield by the planeload, filled with candid Christmas cards to Canadian troops serving in a country ravaged by conflict.
The letters aren't addressed to any particular soldier. They are indiscriminate notes of love and support from kids across Canada to those stationed half a world away.
"I hope you have a great Christmas. Merry Christmas," wrote a girl named Cindi. "Whoever gets this note merry Christmas. I hope you get lots of things."
In another letter, a child wrote: "My name is Hailey. I am 12 years old and have glasses. I'm not quite sure you know how proud we are of you here. You are very brave to be where you are, and what you are seeing. I hope you are going to have a wonderful Christmas. I hope you come back home soon, safely."
And: "To any Canadian Forces member: My name is Makiah. I am eight years old and I'm in Grade 3. My favourite thing to do is walk my neighbour's dog. And I also like to make things with clay. My favourite thing to eat is cream puffs. They are delicious. I love school. My favourite subject is math and science. Thank you for fighting for us."
Whitney wrote: "I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I wonder how it's like to be a Canadian Force member. I have one cat and one fish. My cat's name is Pumpkin and my fish's name is Rainbow. Have a very merry Christmas."
These and many other cards are cheery reminders of home at a time of year when soldiers miss it the most.
Pictures of wreaths and reindeer and sleighs are scribbled on the cards with coloured pencil crayons and scented markers.
One school sent a CD of songs performed at their Christmas pageant. In another package, someone snuck in contraband drink flavouring to mix into the ubiquitous bottles of water found all over the base.
An eggplant-coloured felt banner is lined with heart-shaped paper messages from the kids at Susanna Moodie Elementary School in Belleville, Ont.
From Bryan and Luke: "Thank you for going to war. You are a real hero."
From Logan and Jacob: "We hope that you win."
And from Stuart: "I hope you don't die."
Claudine Fugere, a special events co-ordinator with the military, said she is having a hard time handling the number of Christmas cards this year.
"Right now it's planes. It's insane," she said of the volume of cards.
"I don't know what to do with it anymore. There's so many. And there's so many letters, and I know they're so cute and they're so touching, but we don't have time to open them all."
The soldiers say the cards help bring home a little closer over the holidays.
"It's just another indication of the support that comes from the home side," said Capt. Sterling Scott of the 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Headquarters in Petawawa, Ont.
"It's extra special that it's coming from the youth side of things. They don't necessarily understand what we're going here, but they understand it's dangerous. ...
"I don't get to read them all, but it represents a symbol of support from across the ocean."
