The first deadline to mail holiday packages and letters to servicemen and women is Nov. 13.
The deadline applies to items mailed using parcel post to all Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office zip codes.
Warsaw Postmaster Bill Belisle said the U.S. Postal Service is encouraging early deadlines to make sure packages reach their destination in time for the holidays.Other mailing deadlines can be found at www.usps.com or by calling the Warsaw Post Office at 574-267-7321.
"Mail is one of the greatest morale boosters we can give our troops during the holidays," Belisle said.
"When they see packages or letters waiting for them, it brings them that much closer to family and the comforts of home."
The U.S. Postal Service has introduced a Military Care Kit, or Mili-kit, to make it easier for military families and friends to send care packages to their loved ones stationed overseas.
Since the inception of the Military Care Kit, the U.S. Postal Service has shipped more than 150,000 kits. Each kit contains three flat-rate boxes, two cube boxes, nine address labels and 16 custom forms.
The kit can be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 800-610-8734. There is no charge for the kit.
The Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes included in the kit can be shipped to any Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office in the world, regardless of weight for $8.95.
All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations.
The postal service places Air/Army Post Office and Fleet Post Office mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines and military service aircraft to reach armed services members overseas as quickly as possible.
The Department of Defense has issued the following guidelines for addressing mail to military civilian personnel deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mailing tips include:
n Use the service member's full name in the address.
n Include a return address.
n Select a strong box with room for cushioning.
n Cushion contents with styrofoam or bubble wrap to keep items from shifting.
n Remove and wrap batteries separately of battery-operated items.
n Tape the opening of the box and reinforce all seams with 2-inch wide tape.
n Include a card in the package describing the contents.
