DJ Iraq boxes: Did anyone else have their postman scratch off

M

marilynfl

Moderator
"Any Soldier" and write DJ's name at the top of the military address?

My label was written as "Any Soldier", then the rest of the military address, then DJ's name. The postal clerk said they aren't accepting boxes addressed to "Any Soldier."

I silently begged to differ since it HAD a name attached to it, but since he was the one with the big rubber stamp that was going to "accept or deny" my box, I didn't argue with him.

He took the box after his "edits".

I'm hoping all other boxes are shipping out fine.

My box included a tin of Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies (Deb in MI's recipe), spicy candied walnuts, trail mix, several pairs of black socks for padding and a purchased bag of Poppycock.

Another batch of cookies (Judy's Nut Ball Cookies) ended up too tender for shipping.

 
Since I had other addresses with the name at the top, I took the liberty of doing it that way?

 
I'd heard the rule about "Any Soldier," but mine was taken as is. I'm sure DJ will see the cross-out

and know it was intended to be shared.

 
Guys, I was sick all week and didn't get any baking or mailing done. Is it too late? I could send it

tomorrow, but not before. I feel terrible.

 
June...the Post Office says tomorrow, DEC 11, is the last day they'll guarantee

a package will definitely be delivered by Dec 25. Packages mailed after that might get there by Dec 25...the PO just isn't guaranteeing anything after tomorrow.

So don't panic. Your health is more important that a deadline.

Hope you feel better SOON!!

 
Thanks, Marilyn. I feel OK physically now--just have to catch up on all the things I let slide last

week. I'll do a little shopping and baking this evening, and send the box tomorrow.

 
Mine was taken as is w/ Daniel's name at the bottom...

The lady asked me about it and I said Daniel was dispersing to his group.

I was worried about having to fill out a custom itemized list w/ weights and approx. values for each item but she didn't make an issue of that either. I listed all items in the little box but didn't get too specific except to mention "non-aerosol" bug spray and "beef" jerky.

I sent choc/almond toffee, choc/espresso toffee, white choc peppermint bark as homemade goodies then lots of misc. stuff like magazines, sudoku, misc. toiletries, lots of candy, mints and gum, bug spray and bug tape, misc. snacks. Basiclly everything but socks. Hadn't thought of it until the box was packed.

My buster of a box ended up coming in at 10 pounds 6 oz. Do I get the heavyweight award again this year? -Tessie

 
I had a postal clerk with an attitude!! She put everything into her computer

or whatever she does and then said "This won't go", in a nasty tone.
Being a very non-confrontational person, I just stood there while she worked at her machine and shook her head back and forth. Finally, she said "you can't put Any Soldier on the box!" I said "there's a name on the form and repeated the name (very nicely!). She said "well, you need it on the box too!" Then she takes her black magic marker and marks thru "any soldier" about ten times, and I put DJ's name ON THE BOX!! I told her there were cookies in the box but she didn't seem to hear me.
After paying her, I almost said "and, how do you feel about your job?" but I didn't say anything. I left feeling sorry for her.

 
It's never, ever too late. If it gets there in Jan, or Feb or June---it will be appreciated.

They might actually appreciate if some of the boxes come later---makes the goodies last longer!

 
Geez, you'd think she'd be a bit more willing to help out. It was kind of you, barb, not to add to

her miserable attitude by being a cranky customer.

I was in line before the post office opened and there were still 27 people in front of me.

 
That's what I thought Marilyn, that she would be kind because I was doing something

humanitarian, and she knew this was a first time for me. I know they have some stress in dealing with people; but don't we all??

 
I wasn't sure if they'd accept it either, so I left mine blank until I got to the post office...

I asked the clerk if I could address it that way(I showed him my copy of the e-mail), and he said we weren't supposed to address it to any soldier, so I just put DJ's name as the addressee, on the box as well as the customs form.

I adressed a Christmas card inside the box to "Any Soldier", so hopefully he just distributes it.

 
This is not a postal issue but a DOD issue

There is a DOD regulation that the military will not process mail to "Any Soldier" or anything like that. It must be addressed to either a rank and name or a company and title. This rule was passed after 9/11 to ensure the safety of our troops.

The postal clerks are simply trying to make sure the packages get there without being destroyed. Technically, they could accept the packages as is as long as the customs form is filled out correctly and be doing their job. It would then get sent on to be destroyed by the military. What they are trying to do is make sure that once it's turned over to the military it's actually delivered. Tons and tons of mail items that are not correctly addressed are destoyed by the military and they have several football field sized areas, stacked ten feet or more high, of mail they are trying to sort and deliver.

Please have patience. As a retired sailors wife, I know how much your efforts mean to them and those postal clerks (remember, many of them are vets and know exactly what those packages mean) are just trying to make sure that package gets where it's supposed to go with as little delay as possible.

So have patience and remember, that clerk is trying to make sure your mission is successful and that service member gets to know that someone cares.

 
as a side note, we can't even send cards to Walter Reed w/o a soldier's name on it either.

Those addressed to "wounded soldier" or "any soldier" will not be delivered. Here is the link to MSNBC and the story. There is a link to help connect people with servicemen/women.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22114832/

 
You're right, Ang. I just sent it off. The postal clerks were most polite and helpful. It must vary

a lot between post offices. This was the one on the Oregon State University campus, and they're always calm and friendly there. On the other hand, the PO near my house in Albany seems to be seriously lacking any customer service ethic.

 
Bugger, so my package to DJ will be destroyed??

I sent it last week and addressed it exactly as was pm'ed to me, with Any Soldier at the top and DJ's name on the bottom...

Obviously my postmaster did not know about this regulation...

noooooooooooo......

 
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