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Internet offers way for troops to receive messages of support
By Patrick J. Dickson, Washington bureau editor
Stars and Stripes is helping loved ones and new friends keep in touch with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines with its Messages of Support program.
With Operation Dear Abby and the Any Servicemember mail programs falling victim to the anthrax scare, Stars and Stripes was inundated with requests and suggestions from Americans looking for a new way to show their support and send their love.
Thus, Messages of Support was born.
Joan Scofield, marketing coordinator at Stripes’ offices in Washington, sent a news release to newspapers and television stations across the United States, letting Americans know about this program.
The Winston-Salem Journal says it will run a column about the program in response to their own deluge of requests from readers about where to send letters.
Scofield also has approached Internet giant America Online.
"AOL said they’re willing to promote the use of Messages of Support on their government guide, the parenting channel and in their coverage of the attack on America on their ‘start page,’" Scofield said. "We believe AOL is going to set up a keyword, but we don’t know when just yet."
The American Legion and The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, among many others, have put links to the program on their Web site.
The feature originally appeared in the European edition of Stars and Stripes on Oct. 10. But because of the overwhelming response, the program was extended to include the Pacific edition beginning Nov. 12.
This new feature includes space to send greetings, words of encouragement and announcements, free to family and friends of deployed troops.
Messages are limited to 30 words and will be printed on a first-come, first-run basis. Stars and Stripes reserves the right to omit any ad determined inappropriate and to screen and edit all messages.
Stripes is planning a moderated message board to be placed on this Web site soon. Direct e-mail was ruled out to avoid giving away locations of troops, in case some troops replied.
"No one outside Stripes will be able to alter the e-mails; it’s a message board," said John Allio, director of technical operations at Stars and Stripes in Washington. "We hope to have it up on the Web site very soon."
Messages can be e-mailed to Stars and Stripes 24 hours a day at supportmessages@estripes.com.
For additional information, or Internet-ready buttons and links to Messages of Support, please contact Joan Scofield at 202-761-0942.