A local church plans to send thousands of letters to U.S. troops as a way to express their support and encouragement.
The Salem Baptist Church of Chicago launched the initiative, called the 25,000 Letters to Soldiers campaign, on the eve of Memorial Day.
Members of the South Side megachurch began composing short notes on cards Sunday and will continue writing letters over the next five weeks.
The church says its members will gather to pray over the letters before mailing them in early July.
State Senator Rev. James Meeks, D-15th, is pastor of the church.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press.
