Here’s how to send holiday cards to soldiers
Sheila Beck (letter, Nov. 23) encouraged sending Christmas cards to wounded veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center.
I, too, have received this same information via e-mails. Unfortunately, the address given is not a good address per both Snopes.com and TruthOrFiction.com.
Both Web sites report that Walter Reed issued a statement indicating that it and other medical centers throughout the Department of Defense cannot accept mail that isn’t addressed to a particular soldier by name. The deputy undersecretary of defense for transportation policy made this decision to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and staff.
Additionally, the U.S. Postal Service has stopped delivering mail addressed to a “Recovering American Soldier” at Walter Reed.
If individuals want to send Christmas cards to service members this holiday season, they can do so through the American Red Cross’ “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program. It hopes to deliver 1 million cards to service members and their families.
Holiday cards should be addressed and sent no later than Dec. 10 to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456.
This information is confirmed by the Web sites of Snopes, Truth or Fiction and the American Red Cross.
Jane Salyer
Oak Ridge
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