Posted on 12/15/2004 5:08:33 PM PST by Former Military Chick
The Defense Department has a stern message for those considering playing Santa Claus this holiday season to troops abroad: If you don't know them, don't send it.
The agency is reminding the public that it does not accept unsolicited packages -- even holiday gifts -- to troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
"It's a security issue," said Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, a spokeswoman for the Defense Department. "[It's] also to keep the mail lines free or open to keep volume down so that family members can send packages to their loved ones in time for the holidays."
The Pentagon has not allowed such packages, which are often addressed to "any service member," since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But this is the time of the year when schools, churches and other groups nevertheless organize collection drives to send items from presents to potato chips to the troops -- and the Pentagon is expecting another flood of holiday mail. The agency handled 8 million pounds of mail last December, about twice its usual monthly haul.
It is urging well-wishers to focus instead on the soldiers' families here at home.
"Think locally," Krenke said. "We need to remember the families they've left behind in the States who also may have needs -- maybe help around the house or getting the car fixed or just getting through the holidays."
The public can still send packages to individual soldiers as long as they are addressed specifically. People can also continue to give to recognized charitable organizations, such as the Red Cross and the USO, that distribute packages to military installations.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
If you are aware of other sites, please add them to the list at the above link.
If the pentagon really intersted in helping military families one thing they could do is lean on the postal service, for reduced postage. I sent a package to my son in Japan a few weeks ago. You can only ship by the USPS. It cost me 120 dollars. I sent another about the same to another son in the states by UPS and it cost 31 dollars. We own our post office. All they have to do is get it to the military who does everything else. I would think the least we could do is give an at cost price to APOs.
It costs about $10 to send a shoe-box sized box to an APO address.
Sad, isn't it?
Yes, a group of us with friends/relatives in Iraq have been sending packages. The postage usually is as much or more than the contents of the boxes.
It costs more to air freight parcels overseas than it does to truck them across the country. You are comparing apples and oranges. Now, if you had compared the UPS air rate to Japan with the USPS rate, or the USPS land rate in America to the USP rate, you would have had a valid comparison.
Maybe so but that wasn't my point. Why are we burdening this expense on our soldiers and their families?
Does anyone know if this prohibition applies to cards, in addition to packages?
Here's another option:
|
MEDIA CONTACT: Judd Anstey |
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 (DoD) announced last week that, “Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, 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 (AAFES’) “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 PX and BX 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 away 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 log on aafes.com or call 1-877-770-4438. “Help Our Troops Call Home” phone cards are also available at aafes.com or by calling 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, 5 in Afghanistan, 1 each in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and 4 in Qatar/UAE/Djibouti.
The phone cards can be used at any of AAFES’ sixty 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.
I do not know but I am sure I can ask someone who might.
Sorry, but Congress limits free postage to important folks - themselves. It would undercut the prestiege of their office if any ordinary folks got the same opportunity.
Want some entertainment? Why don't you call your Congressperson and ask if you can drop it by the district office so that they can send it 'franked'. Rules for franked mail here: http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/E050.htm
Well to be fair, the VA Hospitals do accept it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.