Community members and groups looking for ways to support U.S. troops fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas can take advantage of programs offered by the U.S. Postal Service and the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program, online at www.adoptaussoldier.org.
Fredonia Postmaster Teresa Myers called attention to the programs after participating herself.
“I got involved because I personally wanted to help our troops,” she said. “I do not have any family members stationed overseas, but I wanted to help do my part to see that soldiers serving our country received something from home.
“I would like for every soldier serving to know that someone cares,” she said.
The “any service member” program, in which citizens could send mail to troops unknown to them, was discontinued by the Department of Defense after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
All mail going to military facilities must be addressed to a specific person at a specific address.
Myers said she discovered the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program and signed up, adopting a soldier by filling out an online application form. She then received the name and address of the soldier she adopted, as well as some information about that soldier.
The Web site includes suggestions about items to send, from ‘grab and go’ snacks like candy and chewing gum to reading material, puzzles, health and hygiene products, etc.
“Of course, news of the outside world and letters of encouragement are always welcomed too,” Myers said.
The program’s objective is to improve deployment quality of life and morale in connecting supportive citizens with deployed soldiers.
“We have a lot of people and church groups in our communities that would like to help, but they don’t know how to get started,” she said.
“Hopefully, this information will help our community to let our troops know how much we appreciate the sacrifices that they are making for us back here in the U.S.”
In a separate, but complementary campaign, the U.S. Postal Service has developed a special version of the “large priority flat rate” box intended for APO/FPO military addresses.
Shipping the box, which measures 12 inches by 12 inches by 5.5 inches, costs $10.95 for any package weight up to 70 pounds.
“This is a great discount for packages going to military locations,” said Myers.
The postmaster sent a 15-pound package to a soldier she adopted, with an APO address. If sent in a regular priority box, the postage would have cost $21.55.
By using the military box, she was able to save nearly $11.
The military box features a logo cobranded with “America Supports You,” a Department of Defense program designed to assist the American public in showing support for the nation’s troops.
“The new flexibility provided by the Postal Law of 2006 has allowed the postal service to introduce these new initiatives rapidly,” she said.
The Fredonia post office has some military boxes available. Large flat rate boxes with the $10.95 rate are also available at the post office in Princeton.
Postal customers may also have the new boxes shipped to their homes free of charge by logging onto www.usps.com and clicking on the “shipping tools” link, then the “supplies” link.
Customers can also print their labels and postage online and schedule a free carrier package pickup, saving a trip to the post office.
“There are no hidden fees, surcharges or balloon-weight pricing,” she said.
Customs form 2976-A, listing detailed package contents, must be completed for all overseas military mail. The forms may be filled out online and printed, and they are also available at post offices.
“I think this program goes hand in hand with the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program and works great,” Myers said.
“If we can help brighten up the lives of our troops even just a little, I think it would help them overall. I know they really appreciate it and deserve it as well.”
For more information regarding either program, contact Myers at (270) 545-3422.
For pricing information, ZIP codes or other general postal information, customers can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
