ADD to your Christmas Card List!

[Freedom]

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.

[Marigold2]

What a great idea.

[Scooter's Mom]

Terrific idea!

On another message forum I belong to, not for pets but for crafting, some of the ladies had a "drive" and gathered up close to 1,000 cards and sent to the many soldiers at Walter Reed. It was amazing!

[Cinder & Smoke]

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?

Here's the Official Policy - from the Walter Reed web site:

Holiday Cards to Wounded and Recovering Soldiers

Holiday Cards to Wounded and Recovering Soldiers 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 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 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This Notice is posted on: http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/List...orm.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 ---------------------------------- /s/ Phred

[gini]

I am glad that Phred beat me to it.............

It is sad that even though this sounds like a wonderful idea - it isn't true.
I had gotten that email too and went to snopes to verify it (after) I had forwarded the email to many people.

I had to jump back on email and let everyone know that it wasn't valid.

[Freedom]

wow!! It was in one of the syndicated columns in our newspaper! Not "Dear Abby," but one similar to that. Such a sad commentary on our society. Whether you are for or against the war, being in hospital over Christmas just isn't fun. Thanks, Phred.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Finally, someone came up with a Government Approved way to send a simple Holiday Greeting ...

Form the Walter Reed Army Medical Center >>>

Support A Recovering American Soldier - Updated!
	Walter Reed Army Medical Center cannot accept packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier'. 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. However, through a unique partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc., communities across America are invited to mail cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country. With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and with help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, the American Red Cross will collect, review and distribute holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel. For security reasons, the Red Cross will be able to accept only holiday cards but not packages. Red Cross volunteers will receive and bundle the cards, which will be shipped by Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. Then, Red Cross volunteers at the medical facilities will distribute the cards throughout the holiday season. Please address your holiday cards to: We Support You During Your Recovery! c/o American Red Cross P.O. Box 419 Savage, MD 20763-0419 Be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 27. Cards received after this date will be returned to the sender. Again, senders are reminded that "care packages" are not part of the program--send only cards and notes. Also, please refrain from using glitter or any other inserts that would not be appropriate in a hospital environment. People who want to express their appreciation to American service members may also 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 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 The outpouring of gratitude and 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.

Created at 12/6/2007 10:57 AM by DOIM Last modified at 12/6/2007 10:57 AM by DOIM From the Walter Reed Army Medical Center News Page at: http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/List...orm.aspx?Id=29& Also read an MSNBC.com page at >>> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22219776/ /s/ Phred