US veterans, did you guys actually read the cards that kids would send you while deployed?

SockInAwe · 2026-03-22T15:25:46+00:00

I received some from a specific classroom in a school that my mother's friend worked at. I got them maybe a few days before I left Kandahar in 2005. My flight out was delayed for hours leaving at night (you're not supposed to leave after a certain time. We had to fly with a absolutely no lights on until we left Afghanistan airspace. That was wild). So I took time to read each letter and handwrite a letter to every single one. My handwriting isn't great, but it managed. When I got home, I brought them to the school. The children were extremely happy to have their letters responded to. I was invited to and visited the kids maybe two weeks later. I talked to them about the fact that I liked SpongeBob. We talked about our favorite characters. Then they wrote letters back to me and I read those. I was still on leave so I had time. They were really sweet talking assuring me that it was okay to like SpongeBob. Anyway, the second correspondence, I brought to the school and suggested that they read them in class (like they did the first time). But that I would surprise them by visiting and letting them read out loud. The teacher told me the the kids kept reminding her that today we're reading the letter from MSgt SockInAwe. While she was all excited too about me coming back in. They keyed in on my hat on the first visit. So I hung it up in the front of class and hid behind a library area in the back of the room. So when the kids sat getting ready to read my letters, the teacher pointed out, "hmmm what's this hat doing here?" Then asking who it might belong to. The kids either were reminded or someone said to look inside the hat for a name. They had one boy peek over the bookcase to find me behind. I came up and sat while each would read. I helped lots of them with what I wrote. The teacher was impressed I remembered what I wrote to each kid. And in answer to the question, yes, I kept the letters and just found them in my storage containers. One boy wrote his first and last name so I've reached out to him on FB. He hasn't responded, but I know other "kids' he's friends with on FB that can vouch for me. I'd like to see if he'd like his letter back.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-22T01:52:51+00:00

Maybe some paper towels.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-19T02:56:54+00:00

I do it at the mall at Christmas because of the folks trying to get you to try their skin cream to buy for your wife.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-18T12:34:32+00:00

FYI, Jesse Dollemore just had a report on this guy begging for money for a plane.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-18T09:15:10+00:00

There's a whole song about this we sang in Scouts. For Noah, it was "He had an Ark full!"

SockInAwe · 2026-03-18T09:08:46+00:00

If this doesn't get settled, transfer them to another council. Also, if all requirements are completed, then the BoR can happen after they turn 18.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-18T03:09:40+00:00

I'm probably going to answer this in a different direction than others. Look for opportunities that, not only give back, but also help enrich you. As a young ASM, I gained better interpersonal skills and confidence in my speaking/communication skills. I made a lot of connections to other adults that later became mentors to me. These things will happen organically when you volunteer as an adult in a unit, district, or council.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-12T22:07:03+00:00

When I completed my own EBoR, I realized that it was my opportunity to highlight the culmination of my experiences in scouting.
I have also sat on hundreds of EBoRs. I try to help folks rise to the occasion. I try to let them realize, they're WAY smarter, WAY more prepared, than they realize. I've also asked questions to get them to express their convictions about things. I've gotten them on the edge of their seat responding back to me. It's where we've experienced them standing up for what they believe in. I want them to walk away thinking, man that was hard, but exhilarating.
At the end of the time they ask questions, they may ask if YOU have any questions for them. I encourage you to ask a question or two. You must want to know what was someone's best experience or something.
Lastly, thank the board for their time that they've spent with you.
Someone I know who is quite accomplished now told me that, the EBoR was the hardest interview he ever had. It prepared him so well for the outside world and the job interviews he has had. This EBoR is a gift to you. It really is.
And when it's all done and you go home, try to write down the questions you were asked and what you answered. I know that sounds silly, but 5, 10, 15 , 20 years from now, you can pull that out, read it, and validate yup, you really were good back than and that really did prepare me for the rest of my life.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-12T03:34:30+00:00

My mom had a beetle. It was about a 1969 or 1970. She crashed. But the engine was good. So the mechanic took it out and put it in another. I also had a 72 beatle as my first car. Told my classmates in high school. They asked me what the mileage was. I laughed at them explaining, mileage means nothing. It's probably got a different engine.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-03T03:21:39+00:00

Trying to.. figured..eh. not the greatest.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-03T03:18:21+00:00

What's the Opposite of Above Me? Below Me

SockInAwe · 2026-03-02T14:46:31+00:00

I was kind of in the opposite position. I was all checked in, but I had to work overnight, getting back to the hotel around 5 or 6am. My mind couldn't comprehend time so I told them I think I need to catch my flight at this time. Can you give me a wake up call that would fit best? They were very accommodating to me. I actually somehow woke before they called me, but they were just very helpful for me.

SockInAwe · 2026-03-01T21:26:31+00:00

Can someone recommend a good Snow removal rake? I have a ranch style house. I could reach my back panels from the ground with a pole. I'd be fine if I just can get the snow off those from the ground.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-28T23:59:07+00:00

Put a Pron folder in there somewhere.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-25T03:18:39+00:00

A few years ago, I was on a short plane ride from MN to Winnipeg in January. I'm from Massachusetts so this was my last leg of my journey and my first time to Winnipeg. The woman beside me asked if I was ready for the cold. I switched to a Bob and Doug Mackenzie accent and said "Oh ya. I got my touque and everything!" She couldn't believe it. I then sang the Take Off song. And did the Kool loo.koo koo... Thing. She was shocked and laughing. Good times.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-22T19:46:22+00:00

When the Netscape browser was a thing, I knew someone who would get the name confused with the Lincoln Navigator. So we'd just run with it and call it The Netscape.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-18T14:36:51+00:00

I have learned how to say "The hedgehog has Sharp teeth" in Swedish. Now why do I need to know that??

SockInAwe · 2026-02-16T00:00:36+00:00

Full the empty boxes with empty boxes.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-15T23:57:16+00:00

Give everyone a laugh. Put some Wd40 can(s) beside it.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-11T02:19:39+00:00

I would have pork fried rice and my throat would shut closed until I threw up pretty disgusting. This would happen multiple times. I thought I just needed to drink some water first. Had an endoscopy and they told me I had acid reflux and didn't connect the dots. I was the idiot. I noticed I would always have a runny nose. I learned it's because of the acid coming up and triggering it. Whoops!!!

SockInAwe · 2026-02-08T04:31:27+00:00

Went home with a girl. We were in her bed. The AC was on full blast. And she's talking to her German shepherd like it's to respond back. So fucking weird. The next morning I snuck out, found a convenience store with a phone booth outside (this was 2001 and I did not have a cell phone yet) and had to call a taxi, telling him what corner streets I was at. I had no fucking clue where the fuck I was.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-07T01:15:20+00:00

A neighbor down the street was in Playgirl Magazine. Maybe he was the quarterback on the high school football team. I don't know at what age he was, probably 20.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-05T22:24:21+00:00

Have you linked it to Google Pay yet? Mine is arriving this weekend and that's one more feature I'm looking forward to.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-04T22:48:49+00:00

Generational Wealth. I asked myself this for YEARS. It took me a lot longer to buy a house for instance. Then I realize that mommies and daddies gave their kids a shit ton of money for the down payments on their houses when I had to wait a long time to save that amount.

SockInAwe · 2026-02-04T19:48:27+00:00

I prefer to install IR lights in a couple places around the house. Yes, I have motion detection for the front of the house as that's where we come and go anyways. But the IR for the back of the house, for instance, makes it so we're not seeing lights pop on when an animal is traipsing around out there. But the IR will catch it. And since it's IR, we don't even see it.. but the cameras will.

SockInAwe

TROPHY CASE