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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES Decembers 2008 Postal service sets holiday mailing guidelines BY SAMANTHA L QUIGLEY American Forces Press Service W ASHINGTON —As the holidays approach and military families start thinking about what they're going to send loved ones serving overseas, there are a few dates to keep in mind. "The earliest deadline is for troops that are serving in the Iraq (and) Afghanistan area/' said Al DeSarro, spokesman for the western region of the U.S. Postal Service. "You want to send all your holiday mail and packages (to those areas) by Dec. 4." Holiday mail, including packages and cards, going to military bases in other parts of the world should be shipped by Dec. 11, he said. "We do encourage people to closely follow these deadlines," DeSarro said. "Of course, we make every attempt, even if you miss the deadline, to deliver the mail to our troops." Pseudo-Santas who can't beat Taking care of families during deployment Airmen: If your spouse cannot attend the pre-deployment brief, be sure to discuss helping agencies, support programs for spouses and children, and unit points of contact for assistance prior to departure. Make sure they are well prepared, no matter the potential issue. Supervisors: Ensure you talk with each deployer about preparedness and support issues upon tasking. Make contact with family frequently and assist as needed, both prior, during and after. those dates have another option to get holiday goodies to their destinations in time: Express Mail. But it will cost a bit more and it's not available for service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes are the best value when shipping to military members serving at home or anywhere overseas, DeSarro said. The largest flat-rate box costs $10.95 to ship to an APO or FPQ address. That's a $2 discount, and the boxes are free. The flat-rate boxes come with another bonus. If it will fit in the box, and weighs 70 pounds or less, it ships at the established rate. "We also offer a special military package kit,... and this applies even if you want to send to our troops here in the U.S.," DeSarro said. "If you call ... 1-800-610-8734, they'll send you a free kit of packaging materials — priority mail boxes, tape, labels and stuff that can make your holiday packing much easier." When shipping any holiday package, there are some basic guidelines to take into consideration, he added. If a USPS-provided box isn't being used, senders should make sure the box they're using is sturdy. Don't use wrapping paper or string on the outside, and print both the shipping and return addresses clearly. Contents should be packaged securely and in leak-proof containers, and consider the customs of the country to ensure the items are appropriate and acceptable. :/;•• :.<:;•'•':•. USPS also suggestsiricluding the mailing address, return address and the contents of the box on a slip of paper with the other contents, just in case something out of the ordinary should happen. Following not only the shipping date guidelines, but also the general packing guidelines can help the USPS get packages where they're going during their busiest time of the year. DeSarro urges people to mail as much as they want and as early as they can, noting that officials expect 20 million pounds of mail will be sent U.S. troops this holiday season. New law allows salutes in civvies during anthem Armed Forces Print News W ASHINGTON — Veterans and service members not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October. "The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag." The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to service members while not in uniform. ''-.; Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear. The most-recent change, authorizing hand salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed Oct. 14. 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