Deadlines coming for holiday mail to military

The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.) (MCT) - While the first signs of autumn are upon us, it's not too early to start thinking about holiday cards, letters and packages destined for service members and their families stationed in faraway lands.

The first deadline for the 2008 holiday season is less than 30 days away, according to the Fort Wayne, Ind., postmaster.

Nov. 13 is the deadline for sending holiday packages to troops stationed overseas using Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) ZIP codes.

"The U.S. Postal Service is encouraging early deadlines to ensure packages reach their destination in time for the holidays," said Fort Wayne Postmaster Dave Kuehnert.

All military mail, regardless of destination, is sent by domestic mail rate. International rates do not apply.

One way senders can confirm delivery is by using Delivery Confirmation, available for most military destinations outside the United States. Delivery Confirmation provides customers with the date, ZIP code and time the package was delivered. This information can be accessed at www.usps.com.

"Mail is one of the greatest morale boosters we can give our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen during the holidays." said Kuehnert. "When they see packages or letters waiting for them, it brings them that much closer to family and the comforts of home." All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations. "We cannot accept any mail addressed to 'Any Service member,'" Kuehnert added.

"Let the U.S. Postal Service do what we do best _ pick up and deliver your mail," Kuehnert said. "Prepare Priority Mail and Express Mail packages and then notify us online at www.usps.com/pickup that they're ready to be picked up. Free package pickup is available from home or office."

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USPS SERVICES

Other cool features the U.S. Postal Service offers: Military Care Kit Each free kit contains three flat-rate boxes, two cube boxes, nine address labels and 16 customs forms. The kit may be ordered by calling Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734.

Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box: It offers a $2 discount to APO/FPO destinations and ships for $10.95. Go online, use Click-n-Ship and the price drops to $10.50.

Create your own holiday cards: With a little creativity, customers can create their own holiday cards and customized postage on first-class mail, Priority Mail and Express Mail at www.usps.com .

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© 2008, The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.).