As hectic as our lives here at home can be, it’s often hard to remember that, somewhere else in the world, thousands of people are going through a very difficult, frightening experience.

Anyone trapped in a warzone understands that life is all too delicate. While men and women in expensive suits debate political strategies over dinner, soldiers and civilians on and near the battlefield do everything they can to stay alive. It’s not surprising that a calming influence is welcomed in such inhuman conditions.

This is true in the many nations that have felt the dark thunder of war recently, just as it’s been true for every battle ever fought. A soldier losing a comrade in her unit, or a father losing his civilian son in a random attack, both desperately need a beacon of bright light in their suddenly dark lives.

The effects of a candle are hard to quantify in a warzone, but the result is definitely positive. Sailors serving on the ground in Afghanistan relied heavily on a box of small candles mailed from home – not for light, but for peace. In a country that wasn’t their own, surrounded by an entirely new world, these sailors had little in the way of comfort. But what they did have, that small box of candles, kept them going when their emotions were running hot.

The sailors in this story are called Seabees, men that are trained to build, repair and, when necessary, fight. They build everything from roads to airfields, hospitals to entire bases – even schools and power plants. But doing this job leaves them in a very high-profile position in the eyes of anyone with violence in mind. Casualties are inevitable.

Losing a friend in any situation is overwhelming, frightening and always unfair. For these soldiers, the box of candles they had tucked away suddenly had a new purpose: honoring the lost. Each night, in memory of their friends, a single candle burned. This act became a sort of tradition for the entire battalion and is practiced, whenever possible, to this day.

Candles have a deep place in the hearts of these soldiers, acting as a symbol of hope and healing when familiar faces are no longer with them. At home, the candle-light vigils held for the wounded and killed on all sides of the conflict are a powerful testament to the significance of a lone candle – soldiers aren’t the only ones that need a symbol of hope.

A candle, burning quietly and gently, has a way of soothing broken hearts. Candles can’t talk to us, nor can they give us a hug. Instead, they whisper a tranquil warmth into our hearts – a silent promise that hope and peace aren’t far away.

Candles aren’t part of a soldier’s standard issue gear, but they are certainly a welcomed addition. Candles remind us of home, comfort and familiar things – rare commodities in our world of doubt and danger. It’s always wise to ask your military friend if they can receive candles, however, since some duty stations don’t allow them.

Bringing a moment of serenity into a hectic world can mean more to someone than a million dollars; if you have family in the military, sending them a letter and a candle will bring more joy than you might expect.