I get tons of email about how Americans can write to our servicemembers or otherwise show their support.
Until 9/11, there were two primary programs which allowed the general public to send mail to "any servicemember:" the Military Postal Service's "Dear Any Servicemember" program, which operated year-round, and the annual "Operation Dear Abby" program which supported troops with letters and cards from home during the holiday season.
Then that nut (or nuts) began sending out anthrax-infected letters, shortly after 9/11, and this resulted in the termination of both programs. The Pentagon was afraid that some nut (or nuts) would attempt to send harmful letters and packages to our military members involved in the fight against terrorism. DOD established a policy that all mail to deployed servicemembers must be addressed to a specific military member, and have his/her correct address (in essence limiting mail and packages to those sent by friends and family members).
Holiday Cards
Beginning in December 2007, Americans can now send holiday cards (between mid-November and mid-December) to deployed servicemembers and wounded warriors in military hospitals, through a special program administered by the American Red Cross, called "Holiday Mail for Heroes." Under this program, approved by the Pentagon, volunteers screen the cards for hazards and to ensure the contents are appropriate (no military "hate-messages" allowed).
When taking advantage of this program, keep the following in mind:
- All cards must be postmarked no later than the announced date for that Holiday year (for 2008, the deadline is December 10). Visit the Red Cross website for this information, around mid-November each year).
- All cards must be signed.
- Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
- Send only cards -- not long letters. Long letters delay the review process.
- Do not do not include email or home addresses on the cards. This program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
- Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
Cards can be sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Other Ways to Support the Troops
Other than the Red Cross's Holiday Card program, there are other ways you can show support for our troops, year-round.
In 2004, the Pentagon established the America Supports You website, which lists more than 350 homefront groups that provide a variety of support for military members and their families.
Whether you want to send a care package to a servicemember, write an email or letter, donate airline miles to help reunite returning military men and women with their families, purchase a phone card for a servicemember, support scholarship funds or send support to wounded service members, the 350 non-profit citizen organizations can help you make it happen.
