KABUL, Afghanistan -- Deployment, whether lasting months or over a year, causes people to experience a range of personal challenges. From arrival when jet lag sets in, to the third-month-blues when the reality of missing loved ones hits hard, each teammate copes in different ways. One time-tested bright spot has always been mail call; when contact comes in the tangible form of a personal note, a care package, a favorite treat, or a card. Sometimes these expressions come from loved ones, and other times from perfect strangers: church groups, civic organizations, classrooms, or a caring citizen. The common theme found with these items is a desire to participate and a willingness to express gratitude.

Every day our team receives postmarked support from engaged Americans who want to say thank you and raise spirits. This exchange of gratitude and love creates an irreplaceable human element that is often lost when thousands of miles from home. This bond makes the expression of written support both appealing and attainable in war zones around the world today and throughout history. In simplest terms, the desire to express gratitude causes people to act and, in turn, creates a bond. Over the course of recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the display of gratitude and support from America, from home, has been overwhelming.

Our team believes it is time to turn the tables . . . time to thank America for their unwavering support to our morale. Members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan have volunteered to write more than 3,000 letters of gratitude and support to citizens back home; reversing the typical "Thank You for your Service!" letters received daily by deployed military members. This "first-of-its-kind" campaign facilitates a canvassing of America - all 50 states - via handmade cards shared with us by Operation Write Home, then written, addressed, and sent by members of our team. We invite recipients, chosen personally by each individual sender, to share a picture of themselves or their organization holding the card they receive on Twitter (@NATCA_438; #ReverseGratitude) or via email to NATCA438AEW@gmail.com. Through this campaign, the 438 AEW and NATC-A family will highlight the amazing support our troops continue to receive. This campaign is our small way of reciprocating to those who have who have provided consistent support, thoughts, and wishes in recent years. #ReverseGratitude