Trikki
10-17-2007, 07:05 PM
Holiday Deadlines Rapidly Approaching for Troop Support
DALLAS - While the holidays may still seem far away, Americans hoping to
show their support to deployed troops must be aware of some rapidly
approaching deadlines. According to the Military Postal Service Agency
(MPSA), mail going parcel post must be sent by Nov. 14 while first class
mail must be sent by Dec. 10 to arrive by Dec. 25.
In addition to deadlines, several other factors must be considered when
sending mail downrange. For example, each country has customs
regulations that apply to all incoming mail, pertaining to everything
from food items to reading materials. Furthermore, military units may
also have additional restrictions concerning incoming mail imposed by
unit commanders relative to size and weight to ensure logistics support
can handle the heavy mail load.
Finally, all packages and mail must now be addressed to individual
servicemembers as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations.
In order to help facilitate the mailing process and avoid many of the
obstacles that come with the traditional care packages, the Army & Air
Force Exchange Service (AAFES) created "Gifts from the Homefront," a
campaign that allows anyone to make a direct and tangible contribution
to military morale with a gift certificate that can be redeemed for
nearly anything a specific servicemember wants.
"A package from home is certainly nice, but cookies get stale and
fragile electronics can break," said AAFES' Chief of Communications Lt.
Col. Dean Thurmond. "A 'Gift from the Homefront' gift certificate can
alleviate a great deal of burden for the post office and sender while
ensuring Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors are able to get exactly
what they desire or need."
AAFES currently operates 53 facilities in support of Operations Iraqi
and Enduring Freedom. While inventories can vary from location to
location, most facilities carry a full assortment of health and beauty
items, toiletries, snacks and drinks.
"Gifts from the Homefront" can be sent to deployed troops by logging on
to www.aafes.org (http://www.aafes.org/) <http://www.aafes.org (http://www.aafes.org/)> or calling 877-770-4438. From
there, the gift certificates are sent to individual service members
(designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member"
through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Coalition to
Salute America's Heroes, Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society,
Operation Homefront, Operation InterdependenceR or USO. "Gifts From the
Homefront" gift certificates can be redeemed at exchange facilities
worldwide. Recent reports indicate troops shopping their contingency
exchanges are reaching for beauty items, soft drinks, snacks, Military
Exchange Global prepaid calling cards, magazines, movies and more.
:devil
DALLAS - While the holidays may still seem far away, Americans hoping to
show their support to deployed troops must be aware of some rapidly
approaching deadlines. According to the Military Postal Service Agency
(MPSA), mail going parcel post must be sent by Nov. 14 while first class
mail must be sent by Dec. 10 to arrive by Dec. 25.
In addition to deadlines, several other factors must be considered when
sending mail downrange. For example, each country has customs
regulations that apply to all incoming mail, pertaining to everything
from food items to reading materials. Furthermore, military units may
also have additional restrictions concerning incoming mail imposed by
unit commanders relative to size and weight to ensure logistics support
can handle the heavy mail load.
Finally, all packages and mail must now be addressed to individual
servicemembers as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations.
In order to help facilitate the mailing process and avoid many of the
obstacles that come with the traditional care packages, the Army & Air
Force Exchange Service (AAFES) created "Gifts from the Homefront," a
campaign that allows anyone to make a direct and tangible contribution
to military morale with a gift certificate that can be redeemed for
nearly anything a specific servicemember wants.
"A package from home is certainly nice, but cookies get stale and
fragile electronics can break," said AAFES' Chief of Communications Lt.
Col. Dean Thurmond. "A 'Gift from the Homefront' gift certificate can
alleviate a great deal of burden for the post office and sender while
ensuring Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors are able to get exactly
what they desire or need."
AAFES currently operates 53 facilities in support of Operations Iraqi
and Enduring Freedom. While inventories can vary from location to
location, most facilities carry a full assortment of health and beauty
items, toiletries, snacks and drinks.
"Gifts from the Homefront" can be sent to deployed troops by logging on
to www.aafes.org (http://www.aafes.org/) <http://www.aafes.org (http://www.aafes.org/)> or calling 877-770-4438. From
there, the gift certificates are sent to individual service members
(designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member"
through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Coalition to
Salute America's Heroes, Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society,
Operation Homefront, Operation InterdependenceR or USO. "Gifts From the
Homefront" gift certificates can be redeemed at exchange facilities
worldwide. Recent reports indicate troops shopping their contingency
exchanges are reaching for beauty items, soft drinks, snacks, Military
Exchange Global prepaid calling cards, magazines, movies and more.
:devil