TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED (Immediate Release)

Department of Defense Email ^ | 22 March 2003 | Department of Defense Press Release

[PhiKapMom]

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2003
(703)428-0711(public/industry)

TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED

To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend.

On Oct. 30, 2002, the Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the "Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Servicemember" mail programs due to force protection concerns. Although these programs provide an excellent means of support to friends and loved ones stationed overseas, they also provide an avenue to introduce hazardous substances or materials into the mail system from unknown sources. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail from family and loved ones.

Recently, DoD has become aware of organizations and individuals who continue to support some form of the "Any Servicemember" program by using the names and addresses of individual servicemembers and unit addresses. These programs are usually supported by well-intentioned, thoughtful and patriotic groups who are simply unaware of the new risks facing deployed military forces. Some individuals and groups publicize the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to the troops they wish to support.

DoD cannot support creative and well-intentioned efforts that defeat force protection measures, but can instead recommend alternatives to mail and donation programs. To show support to troops overseas, the following are recommended:

* Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones:

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

http://www.usocares.org/home.htm

http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html

* Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes. Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts.

Mail from family members and loved ones has always been encouraged and the military mail system will continue to work hard to get that mail to servicemembers overseas.

[PhiKapMom]

These are instructions released from the Department of Defense tonight concerning mail for our men and women in Operation Iraqi Freedom that are forward deployed.

Please read and heed! If DoD released these on a Saturday evening, then there is a real problem.

[Drango]

say what?

[Wait4Truth]

Military bump!

[jwalburg]

Hmmm. Found a post earlier on Freepers and friends' addresses and have a package ready to go to one of them. What should I do now. Not send it? Just wondering.

[GailA]

Contact your local American Legion..they will help you get in touch with a unit to mail to.

[PhiKapMom]

DoD is getting a lot of mail addressed to "anyone" or something similar which is clogging up the mail system and overloading it.

Then you always have the case of someone against the military sending letters that when someone opens it, it is very anti-military.

They are being very cautious right now with the mail because of all the threats as well.

[CFC__VRWC]

My guess is that this is a response to the grenade attack on the 101st in Kuwait. DoD may be getting swamped with care packages and simply may not have the resources to properly screen them all.

[EdReform]

BTTT

[deport]

Opportunities abound for all kinds of shenanigans when mail is addressed to 'anyone' etc.

[PhiKapMom]

Agree with both of you!

[B4Ranch]

Have you sent a link top the "Canteen"?

[PhiKapMom]

I haven't sent it to the canteen. Can you do that? Thanks!

[Jen]

This policy has been in effect since the Anthrax scares. Looks like the military is cracking down and enforcing it - and I don't blame them.

[Jen]

Some individuals and groups publicize the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to the troops they wish to support.

FYI.

[anymouse]

Ping

[SAMWolf]

Thanks anymouse, we've let the Canteen know.

[Samwise]

Just making sure you see this.

[2Jedismom]

I got it. My contact is a personal friend and actually gave me his address and even a list of requests...so I'm covered!

Thanks for the ping.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Have you sent a link top the "Canteen"?"

Thanks for the heads up since the DOD Just posted this today (3/22)
The Post Office page with the addresses now automatically goes to the DOD Press Realease instead.
So no matter where that link is, it will get re-directed.
CLICK HERE