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Troop Support Mail Policy Stressed

From: dlnews_sender@DTIC.MIL



NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense



No. 139-03

(703)697-5131(media)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 22, 2003

(703)428-0711(public/industry)



TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED



To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to

send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service

members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved

one or personal friend.



On Oct. 30, 2002, the Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the

"Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Servicemember" mail programs due

to force protection concerns. Although these programs provide

an excellent means of support to friends and loved ones

stationed overseas, they also provide an avenue to introduce

hazardous substances or materials into the mail system from

unknown sources. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from

organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift

space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail

from family and loved ones.



Recently, DoD has become aware of organizations and individuals

who continue to support some form of the "Any Servicemember"

program by using the names and addresses of individual

servicemembers and unit addresses. These programs are usually

supported by well-intentioned, thoughtful and patriotic groups

who are simply unaware of the new risks facing deployed military

forces. Some individuals and groups publicize the names and

addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with

good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to

the troops they wish to support.



DoD cannot support creative and well-intentioned efforts that

defeat force protection measures, but can instead recommend

alternatives to mail and donation programs. To show support to

troops overseas, the following are recommended:



* Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include

greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card

donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones:



http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html



http://www.usocares.org/home.htm



http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html



* Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing

homes. Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in

past conflicts.



Mail from family members and loved ones has always been

encouraged and the military mail system will continue to work

hard to get that mail to servicemembers overseas.



[Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03222003_bt139-03.html]