By Carl Surran
Many Rules Apply When Sending Troop Support Packages
Winter 2007-08
The holidays are coming up fast, and several rules must be considered when sending mail to deployed troops. For example, each country has customs regulations that apply to all incoming mail for everything from food items to reading material. Military units may maintain additional restrictions. Also, Department of Defense regulations now require that all packages and mail must be addressed to individual servicemembers. (The Military Postal Service Agency says first class mail must be sent by Dec. 10 to ensure arrival by Christmas Day.)
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) created “Gifts from the Homefront” to help facilitate the mailing process. The program allows anyone to send a gift certificate that can be redeemed at exchange facilities worldwide for nearly anything a specific servicemember wants.
“Gifts from the Homefront” may be sent to deployed troops by logging on to www.aafes.org or calling 877-770-4438. Gift certificates are sent to individual servicemembers designated by the purchaser or to “any servicemember” through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Coalition to Salute
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MILITARY
