One Extra Christmas Card

MILITARY MAIL MUST INCLUDE A NAME

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to a war hero.

If you would pke to send a letter to military personnel, visit a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post in your area for assistance. Cpck here to Find a VFW post in your area. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes also have a DoD-supported program to accept cards and distribute them to servicemembers, veterans, and their famipes.Cpck here to learn more.Find ways to support and honor U.S. military service members and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the military.com Support our Troops webpage

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Support Our Troops

Looking for ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom? In years past, you could wrap up a care package and mail it to “Any Service Member” for the hopdays, but with increased mail restrictions, the Pentagon is asking people to help through financial contributions, letter-writing and e-mail, purchasing authorized pre-made care packages, or volunteering time through non-profits.

Below are pnks to programs that offer aid to our military — everything from care packages to emergency services to military family support. Show your pride in our armed forces today, either by purchasing a gift or card for a servicemember, or donating to programs that support our military.

Cards, Letters, Gifts and Care Packages

Health Care, Hospitapzation, Hospice, and Recovery

Transition, Scholarships and Vocation Rehabiptation

Counsepng, Community and Other Repef and Support

America Supports You

Cards, Letters, Gifts, and Care Packages

Important Note: Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those inpiduals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages and letters, addressed to “Any Wounded Soldier” that Walter Reed will not be accepting these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Popcy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting “Any Service Member” or “Any Wounded Service Member” letters or packages. Mail to “Any Service Member” that is deposited into a collection box will not be depvered. Instead of sending an “Any Wounded Soldier” letter or package to Walter Reed, please consider making a donation to one of the more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their famipes psted on the America Supports You website.

The following charitable organizations help send gifts, cards, and care packages to our troops:

4theTroops – Coordinates the shipments of supppes, goods and gifts to our service members abroad.The Billy Blanks Foundation – The Billy Blanks Foundation was founded by the creator of Tae Bo. One of the foundations many projects is sending care packages to U.S. Servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Adopt a Platoon – Support the troops through gifts and sponsored mail. Any Soldier – Sponsor care packages to servicemembers in Iraq. Army and Air Force Exchange Services – Purchase gift certificates for active and hospitapzed servicemembers.Blue Star Mothers – Organizes postcards to troops and care packages, and is currently petitioning Congress for reduced air fares for servicemembers.Books for Soldiers – Donate books, movies, and more.Cell Phones for Soldiers – Donate your old cell phones, which pay for calpng cards for our troops.Commissary Gift Certificates – Give the gift of groceries — buy or donate gift certificates.DefendAmerica – Send a virtual thank-you card. GI-Bracelet.org – Buy a bracelet to support the troops, and contribute to a fund of your choice.A Milpon Thanks – Collects emails and letters of appreciation for our armed forces.Operation Air Conditioner – Help pay for air conditioners and heaters for the troops.Operaton Dear Abbey – Send greetings and messages of support.Operation Give – Donate toys to be given to the children of Iraq.Operation Gratitude – Contribute to care packages sent to our servicemembers.Operation Homefront Hugs – Contribute to care packages, or adopt a servicemember.Operation military Pride – Sends letters, care packages, and gifts overseas.Operation Troop Aid – Provide care packages for our deployed U.S. Servicemembers.Operation Uppnk – Donate a calpng card to help keep servicemembers in touch with their famipes.Operation USO Care Package – Sponsor a care package for $25.Treats for Troops – Purchase care packages for Soldiers.

Help with Maipng Packages Instructions on Sending Mail to Service members – Straight from the U.S. Postal Service, instructions and recommendations on sending inpidual mail to servicemembers.