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Start thinking about those Holiday Packages!

Holiday Mailing Dates and Policies

Air Force Print News reports the dates for mailing items to and from overseas locations in time for the holidays are fast approaching, and Military Postal Service Agency officials have suggestions for ensuring packages and letters arrive on time. The recommended mail deadlines for sending mail from the United Sates to all overseas military mailing addressees for the holidays are:

-- Parcel post: Nov. 13

-- Space-available mail: Nov. 28

-- Parcel-airlift mail: Dec. 4

-- Priority and first-class letters or cards: Dec. 11

These dates can also be observed by customers sending mail from overseas locations to the United States. Customs forms are required on all international mail, and shipments should be properly packaged before sending them overseas. Because of security restrictions, mass-mailing operations such as Operation Dear Abby or the "Any Servicemember" mailing program are not being supported by the agency. Postal agency officials encourage servicemembers to support the publicly available Web sites that allow the American public to write supportive letters to them. For more on how to support the troops, see http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/?file=support_troops

SEND PACKAGES

Any Soldier
Give 2 The Troops
Have a Heart/Adopt a Soldier
Hugs from Home
Operation  Gratitude
Operation  Military Pride
Operation Mom
Operation Shoebox
SI Yellow Ribbon Campaign
Soldiers' Angels
USO Care Packages

Did you know that you can send packages at a flat rate?  The Post Office has certain size boxes available that you can use to send packages to your soldiers for a flat rate.  The cost is $8.10 per package.  Just ask your local postmaster for details and some boxes!

You can request a Care Kit 4 from the US Postal Service. It contains boxes and tyvek envelopes along with labels, customs forms and priority mail tape and costs nothing. Fax 800-270-6233 or call      800-610-8734.