Sending holiday gifts to the troops

Care packages are a welcome treat for deployed servicemembers, especially when they are away from home during the holidays.

Here are a few tips from the Department of Defense:

Citizens desiring to send care packages, cards and letters to deployed servicemembers are encouraged to identify troops through family and friends. Individuals may also partner with some of the America Supports You homefront groups listed at http://www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml. They have direct contact with many of the servicemembers and units and can tell you about desired items and shipping frequency.

Safety and security reasons no longer allow packages to be addressed to “Any Soldier” or to an entire base in general. The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national “Holiday Mail for Heroes” campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers, veterans and their families in the United States and abroad. The card campaign includes those working and receiving care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A special P.O. box address may be found at http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail. Cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 7.

When thinking of support for our servicemembers, do not forget their families or local veterans. You can show support by helping military families in your community and by remembering the hospitalized veterans in local Veterans Affairs medical centers. Find a center near you.Notes of thanks may also be shared with the troops and posted here. U.S. Postal Service holiday mailing guidelines. Additional U.S. Postal Service guidelines. E-mail other questions to asyhome@osd.mil.