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Deadlines Set For Holiday Mailings [+ handy tips]
DoD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Oct. 7, 2003 | Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample

Posted on 10/08/2003 5:12:07 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

American Forces Press Service

Deadlines Set For Holiday Mailings

By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2003 -- If you want make sure your holiday packages arrive to service members overseas on time, mail them by Nov. 13.

Otherwise, your package could very well be on the proverbial "slow boat to China," said Mark DeDomenic, chief of postal operations for the Military Postal Service Agency.

Military postal operations employees ship about 250,000 pounds of mail each day to Iraq. That number is expected to go up to about 325,000 pounds each day during the year-end holiday season, which is why DeDomenic suggests that people mail holiday packages early.

"Mailing early is the best way to ensure that mail gets through the pipeline and to its destination on time," he said.

The Military Postal Service Agency has set the following deadlines for holiday mail:

Parcel Post, Nov. 13; Space Available, Nov. 28; Parcel-Airlift Mail, Dec. 4; Priority and First-Class Letters or Cards, Dec. 11.

Those dates also should be observed when sending mail from most overseas locations to the United States as well, DeDomenic said. The Army's 1st Armored Division has a pop-up window that appears on its Web site, linking to an electronic information sheet with specific guidance for people sending mail to and from Germany.

Other tips for faster delivery include mailing smaller packages. "The smaller the package, the easier it is to handle, the quicker we can move it," DeDomenic said. "Shoe box-sized packages are perfect."

Because packages going to an APO or FPO address will require a U.S. Customs label, DeDomenic said, senders should be specific about what is inside the package. "People tend to like to put on the customs label 'Gifts,'" he said. "This is very vague and that is the type of thing that will slow mail down. We must know exactly what is in those boxes to ensure that they are mailable items."

Although some service members move from place to place, DeDomenic said customers should mail packages to the recipient's most recent known address. Although in most places mail will reach its destination in a timely manner, troops on the move often mean that mail will have to be forwarded. "The packages will catch up, but sometimes it may take a little longer," he said.

It's a good idea to place a copy of the address inside the package, just in case the address label or package gets damaged. "That way, the package can be rewrapped and sent to the correct address," he said.

To ensure packages arrive safely, DeDomenic suggested using strong, sturdy boxes with lots of wrapping. He said boxes should be packed tightly, using packing materials such as popcorn or newspapers, to keep contents from moving. He also recommended that senders use good tape, because the humidity in the desert tends to destroy tape's adhesive qualities.

"Masking tape is a definite 'no' when it comes to mailing, and (light-duty transparent tape) is terrible," he said. "Reinforced nylon tape works very well."

It's also important to remember what can't be mailed, DeDomenic said.

Hazardous materials, firearms and flammable liquids are prohibited inside packages. This includes alcoholic beverages and even some perfumes that may have a high alcohol content, he said.

Also he advises not to install batteries inside the electronic items that require them. "Things tend to get turned on (from jostling during shipping), and that causes security concerns," he said.

Because of security restrictions, mass-mailing operations such as "Operation Dear Abby" or "Any Service Member" cannot be supported by the agency this year using traditional mail, DeDomenic said.

"We ask that the American public use electronic Web sites or send greeting cards via e-mail" as alternatives, he said.



TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: carepackages; merrychristmas; supportourtroops
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Oh boy, that means I've got to do my Christmas shopping this next week. In addition to the Christmas presents, I thought I'd also send some decorations for a Christmas "tree". My guys are in the desert, I hope they can scare up a bush or something to decorate.
41 posted on 10/29/2003 10:11:03 PM PST by McGavin999
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To: nutmeg
Thanks...actual bumbersticker seen in the FT Campbell area :)
42 posted on 10/29/2003 10:35:42 PM PST by boxerblues (If you can read this.. Thank a Teacher..If you can read this in English ..Thank a US Soldier)
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To: McGavin999
In addition to the Christmas presents, I thought I'd also send some decorations
for a Christmas "tree". My guys are in the desert, I hope they can scare up a
bush or something to decorate.


I've been thinking the same thoughts...trying to come up with a light, compactable
"tactical XMAS tree; meets DOD specifications" for the good guys and gals "over there".

I'm gonna' strain my brain some more...
43 posted on 10/30/2003 12:47:43 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
afternoon bump for exposure
44 posted on 10/30/2003 4:04:42 PM PST by VOA
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To: All
just a reminder to posters/lurkers that here's a chance to satiate that charitable impulse...
here's the bottom-line from the article:

If you want make sure your holiday packages arrive to service members
overseas on time, mail them by Nov. 13.

Otherwise, your package could very well be on the proverbial "slow boat to China,"...


Make sure our best-and-brightest have something to lighten up their holiday away from home!
45 posted on 11/01/2003 10:49:23 AM PST by VOA
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Saturday publicity bump!
Time for me to go watch that U. of Oklahoma v. Oklahoma State U. football game (war, actually!)
46 posted on 11/01/2003 11:27:27 AM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
publicity bump
47 posted on 11/01/2003 12:09:24 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
Sunday publicity bump...
48 posted on 11/02/2003 3:08:52 PM PST by VOA
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump...
and a reminder to the forum that NOVEMBER 13 is the general deadline for mailing
holiday care-packages.

SO...that means we're coming up on the last shopping weekend for our folks serving
in about 160 countries around the globe
49 posted on 11/06/2003 6:09:07 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
bump for publicity
50 posted on 11/06/2003 7:20:08 PM PST by VOA
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To: Skooz
Kwanzaa
51 posted on 11/06/2003 7:23:02 PM PST by 5veingrafts
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To: VOA
time to shop, box and mail military care-packages...bump!
52 posted on 11/06/2003 7:41:06 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
I've been packing boxes all day. Here I am, the first week in November, playing Christmas songs as I pack the boxes. Now I'm hoping that they don't arrive so early that they can't resist opening them and spoil their Christmas.
53 posted on 11/06/2003 7:52:42 PM PST by McGavin999
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To: McGavin999
Now I'm hoping that they don't arrive so early that they can't resist opening them
and spoil their Christmas.


Better early than late!
54 posted on 11/06/2003 9:21:15 PM PST by VOA
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
NOW HEAR THIS ALL LURKERS/POSTERS:

THIS WEEKEND (November 8 and 9) is the LAST SHOPPING WEEKEND for Parcel Post mailing
of care packages to our BEST AND BRIGHTEST who will be stationed far from home for the holidays
(deadline for this inexpensive mailing route is November 13th).

TIME to:
SHOP
BOX
and
MAIL

THAT IS ALL!


till next time...
55 posted on 11/07/2003 12:14:03 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
bump
56 posted on 11/07/2003 12:41:14 PM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
bump for publicity...last weekend to shop for military care-packages and get
the reasonable Parcel Post rate to our guys and gals serving around the globe.
57 posted on 11/07/2003 7:19:11 PM PST by VOA
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
NOW HEAR THIS ALL LURKERS/POSTERS:

THIS WEEKEND (November 8 and 9) is the LAST SHOPPING WEEKEND
for Parcel Post mailing
of care packages to our BEST AND BRIGHTEST who will be stationed far from home for the holidays
(deadline for this inexpensive mailing route is November 13th).

TIME to:
SHOP
BOX
and
MAIL


for shipping advice, see threads at this URLs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003802/posts

THAT IS ALL!
till next time...
58 posted on 11/08/2003 10:48:38 AM PST by VOA
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
bump
59 posted on 11/08/2003 11:12:31 AM PST by VOA
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To: VOA
bump
60 posted on 11/08/2003 9:39:23 PM PST by VOA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


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