Remember Korri "Proud Marine Wife" whom I met last Fall? Well, with everyone's help we were able to assist her family and several other Marine families out of Camp Pendleton in California. Because of you, Korri has been inspired to start her own program "Thanks For Our Freedom" as she has connections with many Marine units deploying. She is holding fundraisers for buying and shipping goodie packages to the Marines, and has many who would appreciate our individual support. She could also use volunteers if anyone in southern California can help. She'll be giving me names so we'll have a steady supply. We are both on Facebook too, so you can follow along there if that is easier. Email me at Nancy@auntnancyusa.com if you want to help in any capacity. Thanks!
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Most of the troops we were supporting last Fall and over the holidays have or are shortly redeplying and can no longer receive our mail. These units ARE still deployed: 1. A Co 2-12 CAV, 4BCT 1CD FOB Warrior (and they would like more mail and packages through August 2011) 2. JSS Loyalty -- send packages through May 2011 3. Golby Clinic at Camp Victory -- through June 2011. Have any of you received mail from the above?
03/05/2011 - 01:53
SSgt Bonney, and the G-6 Marines we supported over the holidays, are leaving Afghanistan soon. Their FPO (Fleet Post Office) box will be closed early. No more mail should be sent to these troops. Thanks again for all you have done to support my friend's son, Ssgt Bonney, and his fellow Marines. I'm hoping to get a replacement contact before they leave so we may continue to send support. Meanwhile, one of the Marine's wife, Korri, has started a support group of her own and is asking for help. In her case, she will do the buying and shipping. Therefore, if you do not have time to do so yourself, sending contributions her way will now allow you to participate. Her site is "Thanks For Our Freedom" and you can find it on Facebook, or here: http://thanksforourfreedom.blogspot.com/
02/07/2011 - 01:21
UPDATE!
Scott Maloney and the troops with him at COS Garry Owen are leaving Afghanistan (hmmm, or is it Iraq?) yippee!
No more mail should be sent. Thanks for all you did!! So many of you jumped in to support them, it was amazing.
01/20/2011 - 12:54
Sending Packages to the Soldiers
The APO (Army Post Office) address you get is for a military base located in the USA. You are not actually mailing overseas and only have to pay DOMESTIC POSTAGE RATES. The military flies it from the USA to Iraq, or other destination. The soldiers can mail letters back for FREE.
- Cards and letters cost the normal first class postage rate.
- Use LOTS OF TAPE on packages! These boxes travel a long way and are handled many times. (Tape also helps reduce theft.) Try to avoid duck tape – use packing tape (clear or brown). Keep it neat and professional.
- I highly recommend using US Postal Service PRIORITY MAIL at all times. The packages are handled quicker at both ends, and, the boxes are FREE at the Post Office.
- Using Priority Mail FLAT RATE boxes will usually save you a lot of money! And, the Large Flat Rate box gets a $2.00 discount when sending to APO (Army Post Office) & FPO destinations.
- Shoe box size packages are best. Mail smaller packages more frequently, rather than a large package.
- Don’t decorate the boxes with cute stickers or holiday wrap that could catch the eyes of potential thieves.
- Write addresses, including your return address, VERY neatly or the package could get thrown away for security reasons.
Customs Declaration Forms
you will need to fill one out for anything other than a card or letter. The larger detailed forms are required for packages over 1 lb.
You will be required to list the contents, so make notes before you seal the box. The approximate value of the items will also be necessary.
Be creative when labeling contents as, again, you want your gifts to make it to the appropriate destination. For instance: I never list “12 Christmas stockings”. Instead, I write “12 socks”. Much less tempting to the bad guys, eh?
The USPS can now (for a small fee) provide delivery confirmation (not insurance) for almost all military destinations outside the United States!
When To Mail
Basically, it can take 7 to 14 days for a first class letter if your troop is located near an airport or military base; 21 or more if they are in a forwarding operating base. Packages can take as little as 10 days, or as long as 6 weeks. Your soldier may be out in the field and away from base for days or weeks at a time. In your first letters ask your soldier (or Marine) how long it took for them to get your mail after the post mark. After a few cards you’ll have an average.
If you mail often there is a great “Mili-Kit” from the USPS. It includes boxes, address labels, and Customs Forms. I love the large durable envelopes they used to include, but I don’t see them on the list anymore. You may call 1-800-610-8734 for orders. Be aware though, these are not all FLAT RATE boxes. Check it out on this post office website, which also lists mailing deadlines.
Christmas Packages
Christmas packages should be mailed by November 13th for parcel post. That is the deadline recommended by the USPS. If you are using Priority Mail boxes you might be able to mail as late as December 4, but I recommend the week before Thanksgiving as a deadline. For Christmas decorations: mail in early November so the troops get a chance to use them.
It Is Never Too Late!
Don’t ever NOT mail something because it might be late! It’s much better to get that Christmas, birthday, Halloween, or Thanksgiving package a few days after an event than not at all!
Here is a great Marines website for more detailed info (and probably clearer than mine). Remember: Mail often, even if you don’t get a response! These men and women are working very long, hot, days, and often 7 days a week.