Letters, Small Packages Get to Troops Quicker ["The ideal size is a shoebox"]

DpD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Aug. 28, 2003 | K.L. Vantran

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Letters, Small Packages Get to Troops Quicker

By K.L. Vantran
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2003 – The U.S. Postal Service and the Military Postal Service Agency process about 2 million pounds of mail a week for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some items make it to the recipient faster than others, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brian Lomax, agency chief of plans and policy, said here today.

Depending on where it originates, a letter or package spends "a couple of days" in the USPS system before it reaches either San Francisco or New York City, Lomax said. Then it travels another 16 to 19 hours by plane before landing in Kuwait or Bahrain. From there, it's picked up or delivered by motor vehicle.

Once in theater, a letter takes seven to 14 days to reach the service member, while a package usually takes 14 to 24 days, Lomax added. Packages make up 90 percent of the mail.

"The mail is getting to the troops," he said. "The troops are happy. Our intent is to continue to make improvements and exceed their expectations."

Using automated mail scanning equipment and increasing the number of people working at mail facilities are two improvements that have speeded up mail delivery, Lomax said.

People who mail letters and packages also can help, he added. "The size of the package plays an important role," Lomax said. "Large packages take up a lot more room. If there's a choice between taking one large box or a lot of smaller boxes and letters, the large box will stay (at the mail facility). The ideal size is a shoebox. It's also important to correctly address the package."

Aerosol cans, alcoholic beverages, ammunition, fireworks, flammable or explosive materials and illegal or infectious substances are among items that cannot be mailed to service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information, call 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit the USPS Web site.

Though it's not one of the restricted items, Lomax recommends against sending chocolate. "Chocolate and 140 degrees makes chocolate paste," he said.

Cookies and sunflower seeds seem to travel well, he added, and placing cookies in a coffee can helps to protect them.

Heat also takes its toll on the tape used in packaging, Lomax said. The USPS Web site states a clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape is best. Cord, string and twine should not be used, because they can get caught in the mail processing equipment.

Service members love to get mail, Lomax continued. "When I was out at sea, it was always a joy to get a letter from home or a copy of a report card. It's an exhilarating feeling: 'I'm out here doing my job, and they haven't forgotten who I am.'"

Lomax said the mail system's success is a result of the joint effort of the USPS and his agency. "We have motivated soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are committed to doing their job to make sure the mail gets to the troops," he said.

[ladtx]

She just sent one yesterday.

She's not very tall but, she is all heart. Had our 34th anniv 2 days ago and wouldn't trade her for the world.

[mystery-ak]

Im saving the lingerie for when he gets back....LOL....wait a minute, when he gets back it will be flannel time, not that he'll care.

[2Jedismom]

Also, the Blue Star Mothers in here Tulsa have a warehouse full of already prepared boxes that they just can't afford to send, from what I understand. A donation to them for postage would really help them out...I bet it's the same in other places as well...

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, Tonkin! Great info.

I know many Freepers have their own special projects for the troops. Wouldn't a general FR 'care package' / drive thread(s) be great? Freepers could share their own experiences, hints. There are Freepers with money who hate shopping, and Freepers who love shopping who would do even more with $$ help. We tried to pair 'em up at the clothing drive thread.

A general 'care package' thread would also let the troops see what's being done for them back home each week, and how glad the people are to be doing it for them.

Plug for the ARCENT crew:

Our Hero Soldiers need Civvies & Things for Qatar R & R:
***  Clothing Drive through December. ***

[Soaring Feather]

Please send all checks and personal greetings for “Operation USO Care Package” to: USO-Operation USO Care Package C/O Pentagon Federal Credit Union P.O. Box 19221 Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

Donation on the way Tonkin.

[Soaring Feather]

ooops meant to ping you to the post I made to Tonkin.

[blackie]

Keep the troop mail flowing!

[blackie]

Support Our Troops ... BUMP!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

drop a note at bluestarmothers.org to our troops once a week. Families print messages left on our forum area for troops support and stick these messages in care packages and letters.

* Thank you, armymarinemom.

[cateizgr8]

I guess it's time to send Matt another package :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You rock!

I will pass the info at #23 to others as well.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Ping for Tonkin, 2! (^;

[2Jedismom]

Just about every webpage for every state posted on the Blue Star Mothers of America website is having some sort of care package drive and accepting donations of items and financial help with postage.

[shadowman99]

bookmark

[StarCMC]

From there, it's picked up or delivered by motor vehicle.

One of my brother's jobs has been to pick up and deliver mail. Not sure if he's still on that detail or not!

The ideal size is a shoebox

Ok, I'm laughing my butt off here -- you should've seen the last box I sent. Huge. It contained 6 rolls of paper towels, a gigantic (200+) package of baby wipes and a bunch of other small stuff. Some things just take up room! LOL!

[StarCMC]

Families print messages left on our forum area for troops support and stick these messages in care packages and letters.

Can you tell me how that works? I send care packages to my bro and some of his soldiers. How would I get these letters to include??

[armymarinemom]

If you open the messages on the current week you will notice a link to click for print. This will open a page that is printable from your browswer. The print is located to the left of the buttons that say "Add Reply" "New Topic" "New Poll"

[StarCMC]

THANK YOU!! Am also sending a link to the organization's website to my mom. She is proudly flying her "blue star banner" at her house!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

a gigantic (200+) package of baby wipes and a bunch of other small stuff. Some things just take up room! LOL!

Family and friends are allowed to send the big packages. They know to send the good stuff. (^;

Please tell your brother how proud we are of the awesome work they are doing in Iraq daily (and that we are finding and sharing the news).