http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gif
Please, DO NOT participate in this "nice idea" ...
There are both Department of Defense (Walter Reed Medical Center) AND
United States Postal Service regulations that PROHIBIT these mailings!
See the supporting information, below.
What a nice thing to do:
If you agree, when you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
"A Recovering American Soldier"
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list ...
**These men and women need all of the good cheer and support
that we can give them!
Oh, so True - and this "sounds" like a nice idea - what could it hurt?
Sadly, as many low life as nice folks send stuff to the soldiers -
how would you react to an Anti-War piece of Hate-Mail arriving with your
daily "Christmas Cheer" greetings? http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gif
Here's the Official Policy - from the Walter Reed web site:
Holiday Cards to Wounded and Recovering Soldiers
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</TD><TD class=ms-formbody id=SPFieldHTML vAlign=top width=450><!-- FieldName="Page Content" FieldInternalName="PublishingPageContent" FieldType="SPFieldHTML" -->Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that 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 (http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/WRResource/SupportRecoveringAmericanSoldier.pdf) 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.
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 families listed on the "America Supports You" website, www.americasupportsyou.mil**** [this website no longer exists as of 4/29/2014]
Other organizations that offer means of showing your support for our troops or assist wounded servicemembers and their families include:
http://www.usocares.org/
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/
http://www.redcross.org (http://www.redcross.org/)
For individuals without computer access, your local military installation, the local National Guard or military reserve unit in your area may offer the best alternative to show your support to our returning troops and their families. Walter Reed Army Medical Center will continue to receive process and deliver all mail that is addressed to a specific individual.
As Walter Reed continues to enhance the medical care and processes for our returning service members, it must also must keep our patients and staff members safe while following Department of Defense policy. The outpouring of encouragement from the general public, corporate America and civic groups throughout the past year has been incredible. Our Warriors in Transition are amazed at the thanks and support they receive from their countrymen.
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This Notice is posted on:
http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/Lists/WRNews/DispForm.aspx?Id=25
You can verify the validity of this by contacting:
Community Relations:
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Community Relations
6900 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
Phone: 202-782-6133
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/s/ Phred
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