Date: Nov. 30, 2009

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind the public of an incorrect holiday e-mail asking recipients to send cards, letters and packages to recovering Soldiers here. The e-mail suggests recipients to send Christmas cards to “A Recovering American Soldier,” and lists a Walter Reed, Washington, D.C., address. 

All military installations, not just Walter Reed, cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy 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 "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.

U.S. Postal Service link:

http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/otherways.htm

There is still time to send holiday mail to the American Red Cross’ Holiday for Heroes campaign. The Red Cross has established a P.O. Box to receive cards and letters for distribution to wounded warriors at Walter Reed but to other military hospitals and installations across the globe. All letters and cards must be received by Dec. 7 to ensure delivery by Christmas. The address is:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Whether you want to send a care package to a servicemember, write an email or letter, donate airline miles to help reunite returning military men and women with their families, support scholarship funds or send support to wounded servicemembers through dozens of great organizations that supports wounded warriors and their families every day.

Groups or individuals wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to www.aafes.com scroll down to AAFES Community Center‛ and click on Help Our Troops Call Home or Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops‛ in order to send such items. 

There are other ways to show support for troops past and present:

• Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes
• Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts
• Attend a “Welcome Home Hero” ceremony at your local airport
• Contact local National Guard armories and Reserve Centers to find out if cards and letters of support for recently returned or soon-to-deploy troops can be sent
• Support your local veterans and military support organizations such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and
• Fly the American Flag at your residence or business
  
  

  About Walter Reed Health Care System "Home of Warrior Care" 

  The Walter Reed Health Care System provides comprehensive health care for more than 150,000 Soldiers, other servicemembers, Family members and retirees in the National Capital Area. Its hub is Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the clinical center of gravity of American military medicine. For more information, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil.

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We all want to show our support for troops, and alternative method for sending appreciation to hospitalized soldiers are suggested in the news release from the hospital.

If you are interested in doing something for the troops who are not hospitalized, I am fond of an organization called "Treats for Troops" (you can look them up online) which allows you to purchase gift packages and have them sent to a designated soldier or a random one if you so choose.  Gifts can range from small candy gifts, to phone cards allowing them to call home, to personal care items such as wet body wash cloths and whatnot for those unable to get to a bath or shower.  I can personally attest to the legitimacy of this site, as I have purchased packages for a US Navy sailor named Tamara who has emailed me back her appreciation.

Bless you all for wanting to share your love with those in our military.