Question about Christmas Cards to Troops (Vanity)

[Gypssy]

Can someone give me info on where to go to find addresses of deployed troops so our we can send Christmas Cards or other items for Christmas? Particularly Missouri soldiers but any soldiers. Thanks in advance.

[sure_fine]

I think they have stopped that now because of all the overload on the mil mail system..I will check and see what I can find

[sure_fine]

AAFES lets you send support to "Any Service Member"

http://www.dcmilitary.com/airforce/beam/9_47/national_news/32273-1.html


DALLAS -- With the holidays quickly approaching, many Americans are searching for ways to reach out to troops stationed overseas. Anticipating a rush of mail from well-wishers, the Department of Defense announced last week that, "Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the DOD no longer accepts items to be mailed to 'Any Service Member.'"

Fortunately, those wishing to send support to troops overseas have another option. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service's "Gifts from the Homefront" and "Help Our Troops Call Home" programs allow anyone to make a direct contribution towards the morale of deployed troops without compromising security or increasing the strain on the military mail system.

DOD reports that some people have tried to avoid this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an individual service member's overseas address, which, according to the DOD, clog the mail system and cause unnecessary delays in delivery and military APO cannot guarantee delivery by a specific date due to processing constraints.

"Gifts from the Homefront" certificates, which can be purchased by any individual, business or civic organization, allow troops to purchase items of necessity and convenience at post and base exchange facilities around the world including 51 exchanges in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The gift certificates may also be personalized with a message to troops who find themselves so far from home.

Because the gift certificates can be used for merchandise already stocked at contingency locations, "Gifts from the Homefront" are a safe alternative to traditional care packages that place unnecessary strain on the military mail system and present Force Protection issues. Service members can purchase exactly what they need with the certificates because they can be applied to a wide range of products. Reports from Iraq and Afghanistan indicate that the certificates are being used for the latest CDs and DVDs, comfort items such as snacks and beverages and phone cards for those all-important calls home.

AAFES' Commander Maj. Gen. Kathryn Frost says that "Gifts from the Homefront" and "Help our Troops Call Home" are excellent ways for all to show they care. "I encourage every American who is concerned about the welfare of deployed troops to buy a gift certificate or a phone card," said Maj. Gen. Frost. "While these troops are doing superhuman tasks in countries half way around the world, we must remember that, after all, they too are human and the holidays can be a tough time to be away from friends and family. Something as simple as a $20 gift certificate or $39 phone card can deliver the much-needed 'connection home' troops crave during the holiday season."

Those wishing to send "Gifts from the Homefront" can logon to www.aafes.com or call toll-free (877) 770-4438. "Help Our Troops Call Home" phone cards are also available online or by calling toll-free (800) 527-2345. From there, the gift certificates and/or phone cards may be sent to an individual service member (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member" through the USO, American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society or Fisher House.

"Gifts from the Homefront" and "Help Our Troops Call Home" phone cards can be addressed to "any service member" or individual service members.

The gift certificates can be redeemed at any AAFES facility in the world including 51 locations in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, including 29 in Iraq, 10 in Kuwait, five in Afghanistan, one each in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and four in Qatar/United Arab Emerites/Djibouti.

The phone cards can be used at any of AAFES' 60 call centers throughout Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The "Help Our Troops Call Home" program offers the best value for troops who enjoy calls home from any of AAFES' 46 call centers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[boxerblues]

You can no longer address mail to "Any Soldier/Sailor" there are serveral online places that allow you to send greetings.

I do have the names and address of several soldiers who are not getting a lot of mail and would be happy to pass them on privately

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/

http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html

[prairiebreeze]

Breaking News??

[HiJinx]

would be happy to pass them on privately

God Bless you, BB.

Gypssy, several of us from the FR Canteen have banded together to take care of folks just like you who want to support the troops but don't have anyone specific who needs those cards and letters. Please visit us at www.proudpatriots.com to see how you can help.

Tonk (68-69tonkinGulfYatchClub) runs the FR Canteen Post Office, where he lists many other web addresses that will let you send out mail and cards, e-mails, etc. Please visit there for more info.

The first post in the Canteen every day also lists places you can visit to help!

Hope we've given you a start...our amazing young men and women deserve every bit of support we can offer! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1291661/posts

[eccentric]

I think I'll send a letter to state-side trainees. I am so proud of anyone who would enlist at this time....

[OldFriend]

Made a donation to Glenn Beck's website the other day......they will send phone cards to service members.

Better than a greeting card, IMHO

[HOYA97]

ping!

[Gypssy]

Breaking News??

Good eye! Glad you caught that. Forgive me for the unpardonable sin. My mistake. I don't post often. Guess that's why.

[patriciaruth]

Christmas cards and letters for our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

The last day to mail priority letters and cards to Iraq or Afghanistan is December 9. The last day for priority packages is December 3 or 4.

I've already sent hundreds of cards/letters and will be sending hundreds more today and tomorrow in care packages with candy canes and other items. Friday I'll send out alone any late arriving cards and letters.

As I ship in bulk mailings, it's really ALMOST too late for anyone to send letters/cards to me and have them reach me by the time of my last mailing, which will be Friday.

UNLESS, you would like to write a letter to a soldier, and FREEPMAIL it to me today (Wedsnesday) and I'll print it out on holiday stationery (I have a few sheets left) and include it in my next mailing.

[HiJinx]

Any Missouri FReepers have leads?

[StarCMC]

Try this link. It's a local radio show's website and they have taken names from the listening audience. Hope it helps! And while you're there, check out this page too!

[PsyOp]

My Daughter is in the 1st Cav. in Falluja. She has told us not to try and send any mail because it is not being delivered to them. Ground and air transport is currently restricted to carrying the essentials (bullets, beans and bandages). I don't know if this is Iraq wide or just for those troops engaged in Falluja.

It kinda irritates me that we can't send her any cards or packages for Christmas, but logistics is logistics. This has been the case since her unit deployed to the outskirts of that hell-hole 2 months ago.

[Abigail Adams]

Try this:

http://www.anysoldier.us/index.cfm

[StarCMC]

And here's another one -- another local radio station that's doing stuff for local troops.

[StarCMC]

Please tell your daughter thank you from a grateful FReeper in Missouri.

[Conservababe]

I'm in Cape Girardeau, Mo. My 22 year old nephew from rural western Kentucky, a Guard sgt, has just arrived in Iraq. He has a wife and a 2 year old son. He is homesick, already.

I could post his address in FreepMail if anyone is interested.

[PsyOp]

Thanks. I'll let her know.

[prairiebreeze]

No reason to be testy. If it was an inadvertent error perhaps a jingle to the admin mod is in order, as vanities usually aren't placed in the B.N. sidebar. But whatever....

Prairie