NOTICE

   Please make contact first with someone you plan on sending packages to because things do change sometimes

John

 OMFH

Postal Service Announces Holiday Mailing Guidelines By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Jung Special to American Forces Press Service BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2009 - U.S. Postal Service officials have announced recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan and other overseas locations. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shervon Greenhow helps to sort mail at the Air Force mail center on Camp Cunningham, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2009. U.S. Postal Service officials have announced recommended deadlines for sending holiday mail bound for servicemembers overseas. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. First-class and priority mail for servicemembers stationed in Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4 for arrival by Christmas. The deadline for parcel airlift mail is Dec. 1, and space-available mail bound for Afghanistan should be sent by Nov. 21. Officials recommend that parcel post mail to all military overseas locations should be sent by Nov. 13. A chart with recommended mailing deadlines for all types of mail to various APO and FPO addresses is available at the Postal Service's Web site at http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_082.htm. )(see below) Express mail cannot be used to mail packages to Afghanistan; however priority mail is available. Priority mail packaging products, including priority mail flat-rate boxes, can be obtained free at any post office, or online at http://shop.usps.com. The priority mail large flat-rate box can be used to mail to any overseas military address, no matter the weight of the box, for $11.95. The Postal Service offers free military care kits, designed for military families sending packages overseas. To order by phone, call 800-610-8734 and ask for the military care kit. Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large priority mail flat-rate boxes, four medium-sized priority mail flat-rate boxes, six priority mail labels, a roll of priority mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes. "All packages and mail must be addressed to the individual servicemember by name, without rank, in accordance with Department of Defense regulations," said Air Force Master Sgt. Deb LaGrandQuintana, the 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron official mail manager here. Military overseas units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP code, and in many cases, that ZIP code travels with the unit wherever it goes, LaGrandQuintana added. The Postal Service places APO and FPO mail to overseas military servicemembers on special transportation destined to be delivered as soon as possible. Mail sent APO and FPO addresses may require customs forms. All mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. For general guidelines on sending mail to servicemembers overseas, visit http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/. Postal Service officials recommend taking the following measures when sending packages: -- If you use a regular box, use one strong enough to protect the contents with no writing on the outside. -- Cushion contents with newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam. Pack tightly to avoid shifting. -- Package food items like cookies, fudge, candies, etc. securely in leak-proof containers. -- Use pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced packing tape. -- Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape outside the package. -- Print your return address and the servicemember's complete name, without rank, followed by unit and APO or FPO delivery address on one side only of the package. -- Place a return address label inside the package. -- Stuff fragile items with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. -- Remove batteries from toys and appliances. Wrap and place them next to the items inside. -- Purchase insurance and delivery confirmation service for reassurance of package delivery.

URGENT

Posted 10/5/2009

Survivors in Afghanistan Need Immediate Help - 56 Soldiers Lost EVERYTHING

Like so many of you my heart has been heavy since the news of the attacks on our posts in Afghanistan on Saturday. The families of the Fallen are first and foremost in my thoughts and prayers. May God give them strength and comfort as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest and may they always know that there are many of us out here who will ALWAYS remember their sons, brothers, fathers and husbands.

On another note, my great friend and troop support partner, Bob Connolly and I have been in direct contact with the unit's CSM after learning that the base was destroyed and the men lost all of their belongs except the clothes on their backs. The Army is working to replace uniforms for the men. But they need assistance with other personal items. And they NEED TO KNOW that we are thinking about them over here, too.

Please contact me IMMEDIATELY to help fill their "needs" list below.

Socks (both white socks and winter wool hiking socks)

MED - 24
LG - 22
XL - 10

Underwear (boxers and boxer briefs

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

tshirts (must be Army ACU tshirts - Army will issue for immediate need but extras are always helpful)

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

PT shorts (or long pants) and shirts

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

Shower shoes

MED - 24
LG - 22
XL - 10

Towels, wash clothes, twin sheet sets, pillows, blankets (fleece)- Need 56 sets

Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream - Need enough for 56 men

Running shoes - we are awaiting specific sizes

The above items are the "immediate" needs.

Other suggestions are:

balaclavas, knit caps to fit under helmets (dark colors), winter gloves (dark colors and preferably water proof)

iPods, DVDs, MP3 players and movies, batteries, digital cameras.

Please contact me ASAP via emial -tankerbabelc@gmail.com. We want to work to assure every Soldier is covered with basics first so it is important that we track the donated items. If you prefer to make a monetary donation I can give you information to do so.

Bob is getting some goodie boxes out to them today just to let the know we are behind them. We need to get these other items in route ASAP.

Many thanks!

Tankerbabelc

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